ORLANDO, FL – Orlando City SC (1-0-0, 3 points) had no problem beating CF Montréal (0-1-0, 0 points) in a 4-1 decision in the opening Group Stage match of Leagues Cup 2024 on Friday night at Inter&Co Stadium.
The Lions had goals from Dagur Dan Thórhallsson, Facundo Torres, Ramiro Enrique, and Martín Ojeda, while Montréal managed to hit the score sheet with a Josef Martínez goal late in the match.
The Lions extended their unbeaten streak to six matches across all competitions, their longest streak of the season. Additionally, Ramiro Enrique’s goal in first-half stoppage time makes it six straight matches with a goal across all competitions.
Thórhallsson scored his first career Leagues Cup goal in the seventh minute when Ojeda pressured the Canadian side and blasted a shot that keeper Sebastian Breza saved. Nico Lodeiro took the deflection and took another shot, which was blocked by a defender. Thórhallsson gained control of another rebound just inside the box, and the third shot of the possession found the back of the net to give the Lions an early 1-0 lead.
Later, in the 37th minute, Facundo Torres put in a ball that was initially called offside but was overturned after a review. César Araújo led an attack down the right side of the field and sent a cross into the box that deflected off Ramiro Enrique in front of the goal and was finished by Torres with a sliding finish, making it 2-0.
Two minutes into stoppage time, Torres set up Enrique for a goal of his own. Torres gained control near midfield and led Enrique behind the Montréal defense. The Argentinian forward beat the keeper one-on-one to extend the Orlando City lead to 3-0.
The Lions continued their dominance early in the second half with Ojeda adding a tally of his own. Midfielder Nico Lodeiro chipped a ball to Ojeda, who then broke behind the Montréal defense before drilling a shot under the goalkeeper for the Club’s fourth goal of the night.
In the 69th minute, Ariel Lassiter led an attack into the Orlando defensive zone and dropped off a pass to Josef Martínez inside the box. The forward turned and ripped a shot that was deflected by goalkeeper Pedro Gallese and rolled into the net, making it 4-1.
Orlando Head Coach Oscar Pareja was pleased with the result.
“Well, first, it’s a great night in front of our fans to score four goals against a very difficult rival,” said Pareja. “Just seeing the team and the evolution that we are looking for. Keeping that momentum that we’ve had in the last six games, it’s all good to see. In the first half, we sought after the game early by just being sharp and scoring. We knew Montréal would come to look for us in the second half and give us some space, and that’s what happened. Again, we’re fine in front of the goal, and it’s something that makes us look good. Happy with the result, but as this competition tells us, we have to get ready for the next one.”
The Lions will next host Liga MX side Atlético de San Luis for the first time in Club history in Leagues Cup 2024 Group Stage action next Sunday, Aug. 4, at Inter&Co Stadium.
