Milestones, storylines and more ahead of the Lions road match against The Garys in "The Road Ahead" driven by Audi:
Milestones
- MartÃn Ojeda needs two goals in all competitions to catch Cyle Larin for second in club history at 44 and five to tie Facundo Torres’ club record of 47. Ojeda is four assists away from Mauricio Pereyra’s club record, also 47.
- Iván Angulo is one assist away from becoming the third player in club history to reach 40 assists in all competitions for Orlando City.
- Robin Jansson is two appearances away from reaching 250 in all competitions for Orlando City, extending his club record.
Stats & Storylines
- Orlando City annihilated Atlanta United in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals on Tuesday night, breezing into the semifinals with a 4-1 victory. Orlando was up 3-0 within 25 minutes and had a 4-0 lead by halftime.Â
- Griffin Dorsey scored for the third consecutive match, assisted yet again by Iván Angulo, who has set up a goal in three straight. David Brekalo opened the scoring with his first of the season and third of his Orlando career, while Tiago bagged the last two goals for his first Orlando City brace. Braian Ojeda produced a commanding midfield performance while earning two assists of his own.
- Orlando City scored four goals in a match for the fifth time this season, one off last year’s club record of six occasions with four or more goals. Orlando has put up four in each of its past five victories dating back to April 22. The Lions have scored 23 goals in their last eight games in all competitions and have posted a 5-2-1 record in that span.
- Homegrown goalkeeper Javier Otero earned his third straight U.S. Open cup win in net, saving three shots and only conceding a late consolation goal. Orlando City is 6-0-1 in the seven matches Otero has started in his Lions career.
- For the third time in club history and the first time since 2022, Orlando City is on to the semifinals of the U.S. Open Cup, which will be played on either September 15 or 16. Superstar attacker Antoine Griezmann, set to arrive in July from Atlético Madrid, will be eligible to play in the semifinal round for Orlando. The Atlanta quarterfinal game was Orlando’s last home match without Griezmann on the roster – the Frenchman will be eligible for selection in the Lions’ next home game on July 25 against Nashville SC.
Series History
All-time vs. FC Cincinnati - 5-4-4, +7 GD (3-1-3, +3 GD away)
MLS only vs. FC Cincinnati - Same
2019 - W 5-1 (H), D 1-1 (A)
2021 - W 3-0 (H), D 1-1 (A), W 0-1 (A)
2022 - L 1-2 (H), L 1-0 (A)
2023 - D 0-0 (H), W 0-1 (A)
2024 - L 0-1 (H), W 1-3 (A)
2025 - L 1-2 (H), D 1-1 (A)
Meet the opponent: FC Cincinnati
- Orlando City’s final match before breaking for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is set for Saturday evening at TQL Stadium against FC Cincinnati. Southwest Ohio has been welcoming for the Lions over the years – Orlando has lost just once in seven trips to face Cincinnati and has earned a result at TQL in each of the past three campaigns.
- Cincy owns plenty of similarities with Orlando – a superstar No. 10 (Evander), a high-powered offense, and a defense that has been leakier than its coach would like. The Orange and Blue have scored multiple goals in seven consecutive games, but have conceded multiple goals in six of those seven, leading to a 2-1-4 record in that span. Last Saturday, Cincinnati conceded what looked like a late winner to San Diego FC in the 96th minute, only to take the following kickoff down for an equalizer on the final kick of the game.
- Evander, an MLS Best XI selection a year ago, has been scorching hot in this recent stretch, recording 7g/2a in his last seven appearances. The Brazilian has 2g/1a in two games against Orlando in his career. Evander’s running mate up top, DP striker Kévin Denkey, has 12g/3a in all competitions this season and has scored six goals in his last six matches.
- Cincinnati features several World Cup hopefuls in their squad, including CB Miles Robinson (United States), CM/RWB Pavel Bucha (Czechia), and LWB Bryan Ramirez (Ecuador). Robinson has 38 caps in his international career and will look to impress head coach Mauricio Pochettino as he returns from an injury that caused him to miss the March international window.
