ORLANDO, Fla. – Orlando City SC has secured their spot in the Round of 32 of the Leagues Cup,overcoming a red card and a penalty shootout to claim top spot in Group East 2.
The Lions advanced after a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Atlético San Luis on Sunday night, ultimately prevailing in a penalty shootout. The victory comes on the heels of a win against CF Montréal last week,solidifying Orlando’s position at the top of the group.
Facundo Torres and Ramiro Enrique combined once again to give Orlando the lead, with Enrique scoring his sixth consecutive goal across all competitions, setting a new club record. However, the game took a dramatic turn when Orlando was reduced to ten men early in the first half. Despite the disadvantage, the Lions managed to hold on to their lead until Atlético San Luis equalized in the second half.
With neither team able to find a winner in extra time, the match was decided by a penalty shootout. Orlando’s perfect record in shootouts remained intact, as they converted all five attempts and goalkeeper Pedro Gallese made a crucial save to secure the victory.
The win sets up a mouthwatering clash against Cruz Azul in the Round of 32, with the match scheduled for Friday, August 9th at Inter&Co Stadium. Orlando will be looking to build on their positive momentum and continue their journey in the Leagues Cup.
Head coach Oscar Pareja praised his team’s resilience and determination, highlighting their ability to overcome adversity and secure a vital victory in front of their home fans. As the Lions prepare for the next challenge, they will be confident of their chances to progress further in the tournament.
