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What Orlando City SC accomplished during the Leagues Cup

• They learned what works with strong squads
• They also learned what doesn’t work
• They evaluated some strong prospects

By Chuck Wharton

Aug 9, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Cruz Azul forward Rodolfo Rotondi (29) battles for the ball against Orlando City forward Ramiro Enrique (7) during the first half at INTER&CO Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 9, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Cruz Azul forward Rodolfo Rotondi (29) battles for the ball against Orlando City forward Ramiro Enrique (7) during the first half at INTER&CO Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports / Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports
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In their group-winning Leagues Cup run, Orlando City SC faced two shootouts. They won one.

The last two Liga MX teams opposing Orlando City SC forced the MLS squad to work hard to keep up. The squads gave each other everything they could handle for 90 minutes.

What works with closely matched teams

At the end of Orlando’s group stage, Atletico San Luis barely fell short in the shootout, giving City the group championship 6-5 on a 1-1 draw after 90 minutes.

But one match beyond the group stage, Orlando City went to the shootout again. This time it was against Cruz Azul. The 90 minutes ended in a 0-0 draw. Both teams put up an even greater struggle against each other than in their previous matches.

And what doesn’t work

But what got them to this second shutout was Orlando goalkeeper Pedro Gallese. For his sixth and final save of the match coming four minutes in stoppage time, Gallese got his fingertips on a shot by Cruz striker Angel Sepulveda.

Getting prospects ready

As they struggled, Orlando coaches got one more look at a player they might want on the bench for the rest of the MLS season. That is defender Luca Petrasso. He appeared in 35 matches in two previous years but this second-half substitute appearance was his first this season.

Luca Petrasso
Sep 20, 2023; Queens, New York, USA; New York City FC midfielder Santiago Rodriguez (10) chases the ball with Orlando City SC midfielder Luca Petrasso (20) defending during the second half at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-USA TODAY Sports / John Jones-USA TODAY Sports

Forward Yutaro Tsukada is the bench player they settled on keeping.

Head Coach Oscar Pareja acknowledged the players prepared thoroughly, knowing they faced one of the best squads in Liga MX in Cruz Azul. Overall, they were as sharp on defense in this match as in their most recent games.

And Pareja said their defense connected the players to their chances, where they consistently scored goals.

But the coach emphasized that finishing skills are paramount when the game gets decided in a shootout by penalty kicks. And the team that finishes best gets the shootout win.

So before Orlando City SC plays their next MLS match, expect some finishing drills. There are teams as strong as Cruz Azul before we get to the post-season.