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Orlando City SC snags their first 2026 win from CF Montreal

• Lions solve Montreal back-five for 2-1 victory
• 48 hours of drills under new coaches was just enough
• McGuire and Ojeda net Lions scores
ByChuck Wharton|
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Mar 14, 2026; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando City goalkeeper Javier Otero (12) makes a save during the second half against the CF Montreal at Inter&Co Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images
Mar 14, 2026; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando City goalkeeper Javier Otero (12) makes a save during the second half against the CF Montreal at Inter&Co Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images | Mike Watters-Imagn Images

There were two teams desperate to kick-start the MLS season. Orlando City SC hadn’t yet joined the club.

It took the first four MLS matches, but Orlando City SC finally snatched its first win and first three points from CF Montreal. It was a 2-1 victory.

This was Head Coach Martin Perelman’s debut at the helm after Oscar Pareja’s departure. With about 48 hours of drills under new leadership, the Lions expected to face the Montreal formation that got them their first 2026 win.

That was a back-five formation that the New York Red Bulls could not solve, suffering a 3-0 shutout.

CF Montreal had also struggled to start the MLS season. Their favored formations weren’t working. Orlando opponents used similar formations successfully in past seasons, so Lions scouts had a library ready for the drills.

Toronto worked a permutation of this back-five that is actually a back-three, to shut out RBNY 3-0. They did the Lions a favor by showing them the same scheme.

Orlando was prepared for a back-five formation relying on two hybrid wingers who alternate as needed, acting as holding midfielders or attacking. These two leave three central defenders in position.

In the previous match, this allowed the Red Bulls plenty of chances. They got off 11 shots with five on target. Montreal goalkeeper Thomas Gillier saved them all.

The back-five originated in the early 20th century. It was popularized later by Pep Guardiola, manager of Manchester City in the Premier League.

In the match against Orlando City SC, the Lions got off 16 shots, six on target, to Montreal’s 22 with five on target. The difference is that Orlando goalkeeper Javier Otero left the pitch, matching the four saves that Montreal netminder Thomas Gillier tallied.  

The Lions' defense arose and allowed only one 24th-minute Montreal score from Prince Owusu, assisted by Wikelman Carmona.

This equalized the 19th-minute solo by Duncan McGwire. But the best was yet to come.

Only seven minutes after the Montreal equalizer, Lions winger Ivan Angulo tracked Marco Pasalic as he drew defenders and fired the ball. Angulo followed the shot, getting it to fellow winger Martin Ojeda, who netted the ball with a left-footed shot from the center of the box.

The team dedicated the win to departed Head Coach Oscar Pareja, who, with 103 wins across all competitions, led them to their first trophy, the 2022 U.S. Open Cup. Now, Orlando City SC players get to work on wins under Martin Perelman.