Cruz Azul advances to the Round of 16 with 0(5) – 0(4) win over Orlando City in Leagues Cup
ORLANDO, FL – Orlando City SC suffered a heartbreaking defeat against Cruz Azul in the round of 32 of the 2024 Leagues Cup. After a scoreless draw through regulation, Cruz Azul emerged victorious in a tense penalty shootout, outlasting the Lions 5-4 in front of a crowd of 17,057.
Orlando generated numerous scoring opportunities but couldn’t find the back of the net. Despite dominating possession for stretches, the team was unable to convert their chances. The match was relatively physical, with referee Fernando Guerrero Fernadez allowing a free-flowing game that featured 19 fouls.
Ivan Angulo was the most active player for Orlando, and both he and Facundo Torres had quality looks at goal. However, the Lions managed only four shots on target from 12 attempts, with one blocked. Cruz Azul faced similar struggles,registering 14 total shots, five on target, and three blocked.
“I thought the boys performed very well.” Said Orlando Head Coach Oscar Pareyra “I think we played against a very good team that brought in a very good match as well. [Cruz Azul] were intense from the first minute and the level of the technical part and the level of the tactics, that was first level, and we were up to it. We leave the competition without losing and that’s the pain that we have and obviously we’re sad, but we played very well. I saw the Orlando City that we want to see. We’re sad but we’re proud.”
The penalty shootout was a rollercoaster of emotions. Both Keith Kier and Pedro Gallese saved initial attempts, but the decisive moment came when Dagur Dan Thorhallsson’s shot was blocked by Pier, securing the win for Cruz Azul.
This was the first PK round loss in club history, and a sad night for Lions fans, as they bow out of the League Cup Tournament.
