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Orlando City SC gets Leagues Cup openers and makes the U.S. Open Cup, also

• Lions back in both Leagues Cup and the U.S. Open Cup
• First Leagues Cup opponents bring strong scorers to Orlando
• Open Cup schedule coming soon
ByChuck Wharton|
Nov 30, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando City forward Ramiro Enrique (7) battles for a header against New York Red Bulls defender Dylan Nealis (12) during the first half in the 2024 MLS Cup Eastern Conference Final match at Inter&Co Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images
Nov 30, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando City forward Ramiro Enrique (7) battles for a header against New York Red Bulls defender Dylan Nealis (12) during the first half in the 2024 MLS Cup Eastern Conference Final match at Inter&Co Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images | Mike Watters-Imagn Images

The Lions are done with preseason. Orlando City SC is ready to go. Their assignment is in for the new North American Cup competition format.

The first three Leagues Cup assignments are in for Orlando City SC. This year the Lions also compete in the U.S. Open Cup. According to new rules for North American cup competitions, MLS clubs may compete in up to two other tournaments.

The other two tournaments include the Concacaf Champions Cup and the Canadian Championship, which is reserved for the three MLS clubs in Canada.

 Liga MX provides the first three Leagues Cup opponents for Orlando. All three matches are in Orlando.

In the first match, the Lions face Pumas UNAM. That squad promises to give Orlando a workout for the result. They keep themselves in the top 10 of Liga MX and a top 25 scorer in striker Guillermo Martinez. City players will have to keep at least one eye on him.

Orlando City supporter
Nov 24, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando City fans cheer following a win over Atlanta United in a 2024 MLS Cup conference semifinal match at Inter&Co Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images | Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

 Then Atlas FC takes the pitch in Orlando. This team isn’t as successful in the Liga MX standings as other Leagues Cup opponents of the Lions. But they have scoring threats just as potent.

Atlas brings to Orlando two scorers in the league’s top 30. They are midfielder Angel Marquez and forward Eduardo Aguirre. They will be pushing their squad ahead in both Liga MX and the Leagues Cup.

Finally, Orlando City meets Liga MX side Club Necaxa. This is the most successful of the three opening Leagues Cup opponents. The squad also boasts some of the most powerful scoring threats in Liga MX and the Leagues Cup.

Necaxa forward Diber Cambindo Abonia is a top-five scorer in Liga MX and will be a furious force against MLS clubs in the Leagues Cup. They have two other scorers in the Liga MX top 40. They are midfielders Agustin Palavecino and Jose Paradela.

Necaxa will give Orlando City plenty to watch in their match.

Orlando City SC is one of 16 MLS clubs competing in the 2025 U.S. Open Cup. The schedule is pending.

Orlando City SC has plenty to study in their MLS and Leagues Cup schedules. They needn’t be in a hurry to delve into their U.S. Open opponents.