Orlando City (13-7-8, 47 points) at D.C. United (5-15-9, 24 points)
When: Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: Audi Field, Washington, D.C.
TV: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV (subscription required)
Radio: AM 810 Fox Sports Radio, (English), Mega 97.1 (Spanish)
Here are five storylines to watch for Saturday's match as the Lions head to the nation's capital:
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 14 goals and 14 assists for a total of 28 goal contributions in regular season play. Luis Muriel has been a consistent presence in the attack, recording 16 goal contributions with nine goals and seven assists, while Marco Pašalić has added to the firepower with 11 goals and four assists, bringing his total to 15. Altogether, the three have combined for an impressive 59 goal contributions, more than any other group of Designated Players in the league. The next closest challengers are Eastern Conference rivals Nashville SC, whose DPs have totaled 53 goal contributions to date.
Final SIx
Saturday night marks the beginning of Orlando City’s final six matches of the 2025 MLS regular season. The Lions enter the weekend fifth in the Eastern Conference standings, just three points behind third and fourth place, and five points off second, with a game in hand on all four teams above them. Orlando still has one matchup remaining against both FC Cincinnati and Nashville SC, who currently sit second and fourth, respectively. While Saturday’s opponent, D.C. United, has already been eliminated from playoff contention, the Lions are pushing to secure their sixth consecutive Audi MLS Cup Playoffs appearance under Head Coach Oscar Pareja.
Martín for MVP
Midfielder Martín Ojeda enters Saturday’s Eastern Conference showdown against D.C. United with 28 goal contributions in the 2025 MLS season, tallying 14 goals and 14 assists and 36 across all competitions with 18 goals and 18 assists. Ojeda has a goal contribution in 12 consecutive MLS matches, tying Sebastian Giovinco’s mark in 2018 for second-best in league history and just three games away from tying Josef Martínez’s all-time league record of 15 in a row, set in 2019. Over his last 41 MLS regular season starts, Ojeda has amassed 17 goals and 25 assists, firmly establishing himself as one of the league’s most dynamic and productive playmakers.
On the Hunt
Orlando City continues to boast one of the most dangerous attacks in Major League Soccer this season, tied for the league lead in goals scored (54) alongside intrastate rivals Inter Miami CF and expansion side San Diego FC. Midfielder Martín Ojeda enters the weekend ranked third in MLS for total goal contributions with 28, trailing only San Diego’s Anders Dreyer (32) and Miami’s Lionel Messi (29). Ojeda also ranks second in assists with 14, behind Dreyer’s league-leading 18.
Gone International
Orlando City saw a strong presence on the international stage during the September window, with several players called up to represent their national teams—only three MLS clubs had more international call-ups. Defender Alex Freeman returned to the U.S. Men’s National Team following a standout performance at the CONCACAF Gold Cup this summer. Forward Marco Pašalić remains the only MLS player ever called up to represent Croatia. Regulars Pedro Gallese (Peru) and David Brekalo (Slovenia) rejoined their national squads for World Cup qualifying matches. Forward Tyrese Spicer earned his first senior international call-up with Trinidad & Tobago, marking his debut FIFA window as a Lion. On the youth side, Tahir Reid-Brown (U.S. U-20s), Colin Guske (U.S. U-19s), and Gustavo Caraballo (Venezuela U-17s) all received invitations to represent their countries.
Milestone Tracker:
-Martín Ojeda will look to extend his MLS regular season goal contribution streak to 13 consecutive matches
-Rodrigo Schlegel’s next appearance will be his 175th in all competitions for Orlando City. If he starts the game, it would be his 150th career star
