Orlando City SC will kick off their 2025 preseason with an international friendly, as they host Brazilian side Atlético Mineiro on Saturday, Jan. 25, at 3 p.m. ET at Inter&Co Stadium.
The Club
Atlético Mineiro, officially known as Clube Atlético Mineiro, is one of Brazil's most historic and popular football clubs. Based in Belo Horizonte, the club is often referred to by its nickname, "Galo" (Rooster), which has been the club’s mascot since the 1930s. The team plays its home matches at Arena MRV, which opened in 2023.
The History
Founded on March 25, 1908, Atlético Mineiro was one of the pioneers of the sport in Minas Gerais and played a key role in popularizing football in the region. The club has won numerous titles, including the prestigious Campeonato Brasileiro (Brazilian Championship) and the Copa do Brasil. Its crowning achievement came in 2013, when Atlético Mineiro won the Copa Libertadores, South America’s most coveted club competition, under the leadership of manager Cuca and star player Ronaldinho Gaúcho. This victory marked the club’s arrival on the international stage.
Atlético has won the Campeonato Mineiro 49 times, the Campeonato Brasileiro three times, Copa do Brasil twice and the Supercopa do Brasil and the Copa dos Campeões Brasileiros once each.
The Coach
Alexi Stival, known as Cuca, became the Head Coach of Galo in December of last year. This marked the beginning of his fourth go-around with the club. His first time with the club, from 2011-2013, was his most successful, managing the team that won the Copa Libertadores. He then managed the team in 2021 and 2022, before going to Corinthians and Atletico Paranaense in 2023 and 2024. Over the last 20 years, Cuca has managed 20 different teams in Brazil.
The Key Players to Watch
Éverson: The experienced 34-year-old goalkeeper has played over 200 matches with Galo since 2020 and has become one of the mainstays for the club in recent years.
Guilherme Arana: The 27-year-old left-back has over 100 appearances for the Club and 11 caps for the Brazilian National Team.
Gabriel Menino: Joining from Palmeiras this past offseason, the 24-year-old midfielder has almost 200 professional appearances in Brazil.
Gustavo Scarpa: Following stints in the Premier League and Super League Greece, the midfielder is Galo's best playmaker from last season, with a lethal left foot for passing and set pieces.
Hulk: The veteran forward and captain of Galo, Hulk is at the tail end of his career playing in his 21st professional season. After stops in Japan, China and Portugal, the former Brazilian National team forward is still a force to be reckoned with offensively.
The Rivalry
Clássico Mineiro
Atlético Mineiro’s fiercest rivalry is with Cruzeiro, another Belo Horizonte-based club. With over 500 games played between the two teams since 1921, it is one of the oldest rivalries still ongoing in Brazil. The two teams just faced off last week as part of Inter&Co Soccer Week at FC Series, playing the match at Inter&Co Stadium. The match finished in a scoreless draw.
Recent Form
After finishing third in Brazil's Serie A in 2023, Mineiro finished 12th this past season, though they were runners-up in both Copa do Brasil and Copa Libertadores.
