ORLANDO, Fla. (Sept. 28, 2025) – Alex Freeman scored in second-half stoppage time as Orlando City SC (14-7-10, 52 points) rallied to earn a 1-1 draw against FC Cincinnati (18-9-5, 59 points) on Sunday night at TQL Stadium.
Despite featuring over 40 combined shots and several close chances for both sides, the match remained in a deadlock until the 73rd minute when Evander found Kevin Denkey at the edge of the box and the Togolese fired a low, driven effort home. Both sides then saw various opportunities denied on either end of the pitch as the Lions sought an equalizer and the home side looked to put the result away. As the match entered the sixth minute of stoppage time, Orlando City was finally rewarded for its efforts as Freeman rose to meet a cross from Tyrese Spicer and head home his sixth goal of the season. His goal marked the second consecutive match in which the Lions have scored in stoppage time.
Orlando City had already clinched its sixth consecutive MLS Cup Playoffs appearance earlier this weekend thanks to results across the league. The result keeps the Club in the top seven positions and two points above the Columbus Crew, its next opponent.
Scoring Summary:
73’ Kévin Denkey (Evander) – CIN 1, ORL 0
90+6’ Alex Freeman (Tyrese Spicer) – ORL 1, CIN 1
Head Coach Oscar Pareja:
“A very difficult match against Cincinnati, against a rival that demands a lot of physicality in the game. I think we coped with it. I think we had the personality to propose the game, also, when we had the ball. I liked it a lot, the initiative that the boys had the whole time. And second half, we felt that when we were losing 1-0, that the game was going to escape from us, but I think the reaction from the players is outstanding. Once more, the boys showed a character that has been established in this team and this club. So, we fought and we get this result that could have been better and also could have been worse in a difficult match. I liked our personality tonight.”
Match Notes
- Defender Alex Freeman scored his fifth goal of the season.
- Forward Tyrese Spicer recorded his second assist with Orlando City on Freeman’s goal.
- Freeman’s goal was the Lions’ 59th of the season, tied for third-most in all of MLS.
- With results around the league going their way on Saturday, the Lions clinched their berth in the Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs prior to the start of the match, ensuring their place in the postseason for the sixth consecutive season, all under Head Coach Oscar Pareja.
- Head Coach Oscar Pareja made one change to the Starting XI from the previous match against Nashville SC, reintroducing Duncan McGuire to the lineup.
