Orlando City lost 4-2 against Philadelphia Union at the season opener on Saturday Night.
The Lions scored two goals from new player Marco Pasalic, who made his MLS debut that same night. The second goal of Pašalić’s brace was assisted by fellow new Lions midfielder Eduard Atuesta, who also started off the 2025 campaign by providing the secondary assist.
Despite having both more shots and shots on goal than Philadelphia, the Union converted on all four of their shots on goal. Orlando struck first just eight minutes into the game, but Philadelphia responded with four unanswered goals before the Lions were able to get one back in the 79th minute.
“I think Philadelphia was sharper than us, especially in the two boxes. When they had their chances, they were lethal. We made mistakes that we could avoid on this level. We take it as a part of the game and also as our responsibility. When we had the options, we let it go and they didn’t, and we let that opportunity go. For an instance we showed glimpses of things that we want and that made us feel optimistic. Players came and showed us good things, which is also a good sensation. But other than that, we still have habits that we need to correct. Just in this competition, it showed us today that we still have one or two more gears to go. We have to have it, but in the two boxes, they were better.”
– OSCAR PAREJA, HEAD COACH, ORLANDO CITY SOCCER
Orlando City will host Toronto FC on Saturday, March 1 at Inter&Co Stadium.
