Orlando City vs. Pumas UNAM (Leagues Cup)
When: Wednesday, 8:00 p.m.
Where: Inter&Co Stadium, Orlando, Fla.
Attend: Single-Match Tickets
TV: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV (subscription required)
Here are five storylines to watch for Wednesday's match as the Lions play Pumas:
Designated Dominance
Orlando City’s Designated Players are enjoying a remarkable run of form, contributing more to the scoresheet than any other DP trio in Major League Soccer. Leading the way is Martín Ojeda, who has been the most productive of the trio, tallying 13 goals and 12 assists for a total of 25 goal contributions in regular season play. Luis Muriel has been a consistent presence in the attack, recording 12 goal contributions with an even split of six goals and six assists, while Marco Pašalić has added to the firepower with 10 goals and four assists, bringing his total to 14. Altogether, the three have combined for an impressive 51 goal contributions, more than any other group of Designated Players in the league. The closest challengers are Eastern Conference rivals Nashville SC, whose DPs have totaled 43 goal contributions to date.
The Battle Commences
This week marks the start of Orlando City’s 2025 Leagues Cup campaign, featuring their first matches under the tournament’s new format. Beginning this season, all Phase One matches exclusively pit MLS clubs against LIGA MX opponents. Each team will play three matches against three different clubs from the opposite league, with matchups determined by the Leagues Cup Ranking and regional alignment. At the conclusion of Phase One, only the top four teams from each league, out of 18 total from each league competing in the competition, will advance to the quarterfinals, making every match critical in the race for the title.
Martín For MVP
With two assists and a late goal in last weekend’s match against the Columbus Crew, midfielder Martín Ojeda brought his 2025 MLS goal contributions total to 25, scoring 13 goals and providing 12 assists. That mark surpasses Nani’s 2019 tally, making it the most productive regular season in Orlando City history. Including his assist in the 2025 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, Ojeda now sits just one contribution shy of tying the club’s all-competitions record of 27, set by Facundo Torres last year. Ojeda’s goal also extended his club-record streak to 10 consecutive MLS matches with a goal contribution. His MVP-caliber season continues to impress, as he currently ranks in the top 10 league-wide in goals (T-6th), assists (T-2nd), total goal contributions (3rd), and key passes (T-5th). Over his current ten-game streak, he’s tallied five goals and nine assists, and across his last 36 MLS regular season starts, he’s recorded 16 goals and 21 assists.
Purple Matchday
Orlando City’s thrilling 3-1 comeback victory over the Columbus Crew last weekend—the Crew’s first home loss of the 2025 season at Lower.com Field—earned the Lions significant recognition in MLS Team of the Matchday for Matchday 27. A total of five Orlando players were honored for their standout performances. Midfielder Martín Ojeda was named to the team after contributing one goal and two assists. Goalkeeper Pedro Gallese earned a spot with six crucial saves, while Iván Angulo was named to the bench following his two-assist performance. Forward Ramiro Enrique was also recognized after scoring a quick-fire brace to seal the win. Rounding out the honors, Head Coach Oscar Pareja was named manager of the Matchday 27 squad for leading the team to the impressive comeback.
Rocking Ramiro
Orlando City forward Ramiro Enrique has been in outstanding form during the 2025 MLS regular season, making the most of his 814 minutes on the pitch. In his latest appearance, Enrique came off the bench in the 67th minute against the Columbus Crew, with the Lions trailing 1-0 on the road. The Argentine striker quickly made an impact, scoring the equalizer in the 76th minute and netting the game-winner just three minutes later in the 79th, completing a remarkable brace. Enrique currently ranks third in MLS for goals per 90 minutes (0.76), trailing only Lionel Messi (1.03) and Tai Baribo (0.94).
Milestone Tracker:
-Martín Ojeda (26) is one goal contribution away from tying Facundo Torres' 27 in 2024 for the most productive season across all competitions in club history.
-Ojeda now has a goal contribution in 10 consecutive matches, extending the previous club record he set (6).
