Lineup Changes and a Balanced Attack Helped Orlando City Earn Their First Win of the 2025 Season.
Who would have thought that a center back combination of Rodrigo Schlegel and Kyle Smith, along with homegrown defender Alex Freeman making his first start with the Lions' first team, would help Orlando City see out their first win of the 2025 campaign? Here are a few short takes from last night's 4-2 win over Toronto FC at Orlando's Inter&Co Stadium.
While Orlando City scored four great goals, I will point out the back line that manager Oscar Pareja started last night. While Rafael Santos continues to hold down the left fullback spot, injuries to Robin Jansson and David Brekalo forced Pareja to pair Rodrigo Schlegel and Kyle Smith at the center back position. On paper a bit eyebrow-raising but the combination worked out well. Schlegel has come a long way with both his man-to-man defending and his situational awareness, along with his high-end physicality. Smith, who has played mostly at the fullback position, turned in a stellar performance last night. He worked with Schlegel well, providing leadership and ball-winning we usually attribute to Robin Jansson. Smith's fifty-yard wonder ball that led to Alex Freeman's goal was first class. Orlando did allow Toronto two goals, but they were off of a corner kick (that Pedro Gallese should have interceded on), and a massive one-time strike from Toronto defender Deybi Flores that no one could have stopped. All and all, a great performance by the back line of Rafael Santos, Kyle Smith, Rodrigo Schlegel, and first-time starter Alex Freeman.
Orlando City's balanced attack provided four interesting goals last night, from Cesar Araujo's free kick that beat Toronto goalkeeper Sean Johnson, to defender Alex Freeman's perfect finish off of Kyle Smith's great pass, to Martin Ojeda's breakaway, and then finished off by Dagur Dan Thorhallsson, who had just entered the game and scored on his first touch. Freeman, the son of former NFL wide receiver Antonio Freeman, may be this year's "Diamond in the Rough" for the Lions. Freeman has a ways to go with his technical ability but watch out if he blends his physical attributes and pace with more playing experience.
The unfortunate preseason injury to anchor midfielder Wilder Cartagena has led to Cesar Araujo and Edward Atuesta holding down the defensive midfield spots. Araujo put in another great shift last night, scoring on a free kick as well as assisting on Martin Ojeda's 63rd-minute goal. Atuesta, after a shaky performance in last week's home opener, looked solid last night, with the experienced midfielder winning fifty-fifty balls, pressing at the right time, and providing spot-on passing in support of Araujo.
Manager Oscar Pareja has some work to do in preparation for Saturday night's match at Yankee Stadium against New York City FC. No matter the starting eleven Pareja decides on, the small confines of the Yankee Stadium have always caused the Lions problems with creating space and breaking down NYCFC's backline. Note: This Saturday, March 8 marks the 10-year anniversary of both clubs’ first-ever MLS match played against each other, ending in a 1-1 draw.
Gary Levitt @gary1123 justmytake.net
photo credit: Orlando City SC
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