Orlando City SC found a winning strategy in the Leagues Cup against Atlas FC. But scouts differ in exactly what scheme that is.
MLS Soccer reported that Orlando City SC favored a standard 4-4-2 formation in the 3-1 Leagues Cup win over Atlas FC. But in its match analysis, TransferMarkt saw the club mostly in the defensive scheme of the 4-3-3.
The site reported that formation 10 times in MLS play so far this season. The results in MLS total 5-3-2 (W-L-D).
With this match strategy, striker Ivan Angulo got his first goal of the year – and first in the Leagues Cup – in the ninth minute. No one scored again until the 50th minute when Atlas forward Matias Coccaro netted a goal.
But just seven minutes later, defender Alex Freeman sent in a low-driven cross that was caught by winger Martin Ojeda. He put it into the net for his 28th goal contribution of the season across all contributions.
Freeman’s assist was the fifth of his Orlando career and fourth of the 2025 season across all competitions.
Ojeda’s achievement put him ahead of former Designated Player Facundo Torres for a single season. But Ojeda wasn’t through.
He assisted with his 29th goal contribution in stoppage time, leading to a goal by forward Marco Pasalic. That sealed the win at 3-1.
It is a late-match hex that has held Orlando City players back from wins, although they have frequently rallied for a draw. In their previous Leagues Cup match with Pumas UNAM, they drew 1-1. Their opponent got through the defense to equalize late in the second half.
Head Coach Oscar Pareja said that in their last three home matches, they could have won in two ways. One would be to score again late. However, he observed that they could have prevailed only by being stronger and focused late.
In fact, in the 3-1 win over Atlas FC, Orlando City SC showed that staying focused for the entire 90 minutes means they prevail and score more than the opponent.
Orlando City SC found a winning strategy in the Leagues Cup against Atlas FC. But scouts differ in exactly what scheme that is.
MLS Soccer reported that Orlando City SC favored a standard 4-4-2 formation in the 3-1 Leagues Cup win over Atlas FC. But in its match analysis, TransferMarkt saw the club mostly in the defensive scheme of the 4-3-3.
The site reported that same formation 10 times in MLS play so far this season. The results in MLS total 5-3-2 (W-L-D).
With this match strategy, striker Ivan Angulo got his first goal of the year – and first in the Leagues Cup – in the ninth minute. No one scored again until the 50th minute when Atlas forward Matias Coccaro netted a ball.
But just seven minutes later, defender Alex Freeman sent in a low-driven cross that was caught by winger Martin Ojeda. He put it into the net for his 28th goal contribution of the season across all contributions.
Freeman’s assist was the fifth of his Orlando career and fourth of the 2025 season across all competitions.
Ojeda’s achievement put him ahead of former Designated Player Facundo Torres for a single season. But Ojeda wasn’t through.
He assisted for his 29th goal contribution in stoppage time, leading to a goal by forward Marco Pasalic. That sealed the win at 3-1.
It is a late-match hex that has held Orlando City players back from wins, although they have frequently rallied for a draw. In their previous Leagues Cup match with Pumas UNAM, they drew 1-1. Their opponent got through the defense to equalize late in the second half.
Head Coach Oscar Pareja said in their last three home matches, they could have won in two ways. One would be to score again late. But he observed that they also could have prevailed only by being stronger and focused late.
In fact, in the 3-1 win over Atlas FC, Orlando City SC showed that staying focused for the entire 90 minutes means they prevail and score more than the opponent.