Here are five storylines to watch for Saturday's matchup in Cincinnati:
Midwest Matchup
Orlando City enters the matchup with a slight edge in the all-time series against FC Cincinnati, holding a 5W-4L-4D record, with all meetings occurring in MLS regular-season play. The sides were tightly contested last season. Cincinnati earned a 2-1 road win in its lone trip to Orlando on June 28, before the Lions responded with a 1-1 draw to earn a point in Cincinnati on Sept. 28.
Roaring Offense
With its 4-1 U.S. Open Cup victory over Atlanta United FC on Tuesday night, Orlando City has now scored four goals on five different occasions in its past eight matches. At the heart of that form has been midfielder Martín Ojeda, who has logged eight goal contributions (7g, 1a) in that span, including a hat trick and two braces. The 27-year-old is building on a breakout 2025 campaign that saw him record 31 goal contributions (16g, 15a) in regular-season play, which ranked fifth in MLS.
Brace for Tiago
Brazilian U-22 Initiative forward Tiago delivered a standout performance Tuesday night, scoring twice for his second and third goals across all competitions for the Lions and recording his first career brace. He opened the scoring in the 24th minute, intercepting a pass from Atlanta goalkeeper Jayden Hibbert before lifting a composed finish over the keeper. He doubled his tally in first-half stoppage time with a clinical finish off a feed from Braian Ojeda, who recorded his second assist of the match. Earlier this season, Tiago netted his first MLS goal in his league debut, scoring as a second-half substitute in the Lions’ Feb. 21 season opener against Red Bull New York.
Dorsey Stays Hot
Defender Griffin Dorsey continued his recent strong run of form, scoring his fourth goal across all competitions this season and finding the back of the net in a third straight match. He struck in the 16th minute, arriving at the far post to finish a low cross from Iván Angulo after the winger drove into the box and squared the ball across goal. Dorsey has now scored in each of the Lions’ last three matches, including their May 16 contest against Atlanta United FC and their May 13 meeting with the Philadelphia Union. He has also made an impact in U.S. Open Cup play, scoring twice in the competition, including in the Lions’ Round of 16 win over the New England Revolution on April 29.
Lions Advance
Orlando City’s victory over Atlanta United FC in the quarterfinals of the 2026 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup marked the third time in club history the Lions have advanced to the tournament’s semifinals, where they will face the Columbus Crew. They join the 2019 side, which reached the semifinals before falling to Atlanta United, and the 2022 squad, which completed a historic run by defeating Sacramento Republic FC to capture the Club’s first MLS-era trophy.
Milestone Tracker:
- Martín Ojeda needs two goals in all competitions to catch Cyle Larin for second in club history at 44 and five to tie Facundo Torres’ club record of 47. Ojeda is five assists away from Mauricio Pereyra’s club record, also 47
- Iván Angulo is one assist away from becoming the third player in club history to reach 40 assists in all competitions for Orlando City.
