1. What a way to open Leagues Cup 2026! Two goals at Inter.co Stadium sees Orlando City over the line as they take down C.F. Monterrey 2-1.
2. The Mexican side came in as potentially the toughest of the three opponents that the Lions will face in Phase One of the tournament, and for the first 30 minutes, Orlando had a bit of a tough time getting their footing.
3. It almost started horribly for the Lions, too, as just two minutes in, Monterrey looked to have scored a worldie after Roberto de la Rosa hit the top corner with a great strike. After a lengthy review, the goal was ruled as offside, sparing Orlando a tough beginning to the match.Â
4. From there, the game went back and forth for the next half hour before the Lions were finally able to break through. After David Brekalo won the ball in midfield, Iván Angulo was able to find a darting Tyrese Spicer on the wing. A quick cross into the middle of the box was able to pick out a diving Antoine Griezmann, who was able to beat his defender to the ball and poke the ball past Luis Cárdenas and put Orlando into the lead.
5. Orlando was able to take its 1-0 lead into halftime, but right out of the gate, the game almost changed on its head after a red card was shown to Monterrey's Luis Reyez after a scuffle with Lions goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau. After a lengthy video review (one of many on the night), the red was changed to a yellow.
6. Just four minutes after play resumed, however, the game changed on the scoresheet. Some skill from Justin Ellis opened up space for a through ball leading Spicer into the box. After trying to take a touch past Luis Cárdenas, the goalkeeper clipped him in the box and earned Orlando a penalty.
7. Originally, Griezmann stepped up to take the penalty, but then turned to ask Spicer how he was feeling. Spicer, after the game, said that Griezmann said to him, "You give me one, I give you one." The forward stepped up to the spot and smashed his penalty into the top corner, doubling Orlando's lead in the 60th minute, and the goal proved to be the match-winner.
8. Ten minutes later came a special moment for Orlando fans. For the first time in four-and-a-half years, Daryl Dike took the pitch as an Orlando City player, coming in for Justin Ellis. Dike said after the game, "The welcome from everybody there, as a player, it's what you want when you play."
9. The Lions conceded late as Hugo Cuypers scored with under a minute left in the match, but it didn't change the result as Orlando was able to come away with all three points on the night.
10. Now the Lions head into their second Leagues Cup Phase One match on Saturday as they host Club León. That match will kick off at 6:30 p.m. ET, with tickets available here.
