Orlando City (12-6-8, 44 points) vs Sporting Kansas City (6-13-6, 24 points)
When: Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Inter&Co Stadium, Orlando, Fla.
Attend: Tickets
TV: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV (subscription required)
Radio: AM 810 Fox Sports Radio, (English), Mega 97.1 (Spanish)
Here are five storylines to watch for Saturday's match as the Lions host SKC:
Designated Dominance
Orlando City’s Designated Players are enjoying a remarkable run of form, contributing more to the scoresheet than any other DP trio in Major League Soccer, save for one. Leading the way is Martín Ojeda, who has been the most productive of the trio, tallying 14 goals and 13 assists for a total of 27 goal contributions in regular season play. Luis Muriel has been a consistent presence in the attack, recording 15 goal contributions with eight goals and seven assists, while Marco Pašalić has added to the firepower with 11 goals and four assists, bringing his total to 15. Altogether, the three have combined for an impressive 57 goal contributions, more than any other group of Designated Players in the league. The next closest challengers are Western Conference foes San Diego FC, whose DPs have totaled 45 goal contributions to date.
Muriel Magic
Designated Player Luis Muriel has been on fire for Orlando City, delivering standout performances in two high-profile matches. He ended his goal drought in spectacular fashion during the Lions’ 5-1 Leagues Cup win over Club Necaxa last Wednesday, scoring a first-half hat trick, the first in club history and the fastest ever, clocking in at just 11 minutes and 30 seconds. This also set a new Leagues Cup record for the fastest hat trick and marked the first of the 2025 tournament. Muriel followed up with a brace against intrastate rivals Inter Miami CF, including the game-winner, in a commanding 4-1 victory that preserved Orlando City's undefeated home record against Miami.
Martín for MVP
With a goal and an assist in last weekend’s dominant 4-1 win over intrastate rivals Inter Miami CF, midfielder Martín Ojeda brought his 2025 MLS goal contributions total to 27, scoring 14 goals and providing 13 assists. The performance brought his total goal contributions this season to 34 across all competitions, 17 goals and 17 assists, extending the club record he previously broke, which was set by former Designated Player Facundo Torres in 2024. Earlier this season, Ojeda also surpassed former captain Nani for the club’s MLS single-season goal contributions record. He has now recorded a goal contribution in 14 consecutive matches across all competitions, a club-record streak during which he’s tallied nine goals and 13 assists. Over his last 40 MLS regular season starts, Ojeda has amassed 17 goals and 24 assists, firmly establishing himself as one of the league’s most dynamic and productive playmakers.
One of One
Oscar Pareja is on the verge of a historic achievement with Orlando City SC. After celebrating his birthday last Sunday with a commanding 4-1 win over Inter Miami CF, he now stands at 99 all-time wins as head coach of the Lions. This Saturday night, he has the opportunity to become the first manager in the club’s history, spanning both its USL and MLS eras, to reach 100 victories. Pareja’s impact on the club has been profound. He has guided Orlando City to five consecutive Audi MLS Cup Playoffs appearances, two entries into the Concacaf Champions Cup, and set club records for most wins and points in a single season. His leadership also brought the team to the final of the MLS is Back Tournament, their first trip to the MLS Eastern Conference Finals, and secured the club’s first trophy in its MLS era by winning the 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
Florida is Purple
Orlando City SC dominated intrastate foes Inter Miami CF in the matchup between the two on Sunday Night Soccer this past weekend, posting a 4-1 win behind a brace from Luis Muriel and goals from fellow Designated Players Martín Ojeda and Marco Pašalić. The win completed the regular-season series sweep for the Lions and brought the season’s aggregate between the Lions and Herons to 7-1 in favor of the men from Central Florida following their 3-0 win at Chase Stadium in May earlier this year. The win also kept the Lions on top of the series at home, bringing the all-time record against Miami in downtown Orlando to four wins and four draws, never losing to the Fort Lauderdale-based club.
Milestone Tracker:
-Oscar Pareja is one win away from 100 across all competitions as Orlando City’s Head Coach
-Ojeda now has a goal contribution in 14 consecutive matches, extending the previous club record he set
