Orlando attack rolls, defense rocks in 4-1 win over D.C. United
All three designated players scored and the Lions allowed fewer than two goals for the first time this season.
There’s no place like home. There’s no place like home. Orlando SC has scored 10 of its Major League Soccer-leading 13 goals in the friendly confines of Inter & Co. Stadium this season.
The Lions (2-2-1, 7 points) outscored D.C. United (1-1-3, 6 points) 4-1 Saturday, handing United its first league loss in 2025.
Marco Pašalić celebrates Saturday after scoring Orlando City’s fourth goal against D.C. United. Photo: Orlando SC
Orlando City narrowly missed recording its first clean-sheet of 2025, but despite conceding a 91st-minute goal to United defender Lukas MacNaughton, the Purple’s coach, Oscar Pareja, was pleased with his club’s performance.
“The result … was a very good performance, and it gives confidence to the players,” Pareja said. “We felt that everyone is raising their level and that makes us collectively a stronger team. There is a lot of work to do still, but tonight was that one game where we must add three points and play well so we can raise our confidence.”
Orlando City’s designated players, Louis Muriel, Martin Ojeda, and Marco Pašalić, continued their hot start to the season.
Ojeda had a goal and two assists, Muriel added a goal and an assist, and Pašalić added a score to lead the attack. It was the first time all of Orlando’s DPs scored in the same match; the front three have combined for nine goals and seven assists through five league matches.
“They understand that they have been called (designated players) for a reason, and … if we want to dream for the final and biggest price, we need to elevate (our performances), Pareja said of the attacking trio. “They showed it today, and I’m really happy, but I have to compliment as well the way they have been working is a different level, too, so we're happy for them.”
Pašalić scored his team-leading fourth goal with assists from his attacking teammates. Muriel controlled a ball near the center of the field and hit a back-heel pass to Ojeda; Ojeda passed to Pašalić, who settled the ball, dribbled to his left and blasted an in-swinging, left-footed shot into the net.
“We played incredible today. The team spirit was there from the first minute. We fought, we played together, we played today like a team.”
— Marco Pašalić
The Croatian said it’s easier to score when the entire side plays well.
“We played incredible today. The team spirit was there from the first minute. We fought, we played together, we played today like a team and congratulations to my team,” he said. “To my goal, it's like a bonus, like a plus when you play so good together then these goals come.”
Homegrown defender Alex Freeman, 20, continues to shine since moving into the starting lineup. He added a goal and an assist Saturday, and wingback Ivan Angulo assisted on two scores.
Javier Otero, making his first start for the Lions while Pedro Gallese is with Peru’s national team, was solid in net with four saves; he earned his first-ever MLS win.
The Lions face the defending MLS Cup champion LA Galaxy on Saturday, March 29, at 10:30 p.m. ET in Los Angeles. The match will be streamed by MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.