Orlando City (3-2-3, 12 points) at CF Montréal (0-6-2, 2 points)
When: Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Stade Saputo, Montréal, Quebec
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 on Saturday as the Lions head to Quebec to play Montréal:
Montréal Meetings
Saturday’s meeting at Stade Saputo will be the first between Orlando City SC and CF Montréal since the two sides faced off in Leagues Cup 2024 action on July 26. The Lions took a 4-1 win over Montréal to open group play in the competition, getting goals from defender/midfielder Dagur Dan Thórhallsson, forward Ramiro Enrique, midfielder and Designated Player Martín Ojeda, and former Designated Player Facundo Torres. The Lions and Montréal split the regular-season series with a pair of draws, but the Lions are undefeated in their last four matchups with the Quebec-based side dating back to a 3-0 win on September 30, 2023.
Pulpo Powered Up
A scoreless draw doesn’t put much on the stat sheet, but last Saturday’s 0-0 tie against the New York Red Bulls was a milestone day for goalkeeper Pedro Gallese and his defense. Gallese only had to make one save on the afternoon, in part thanks to his defense deflecting or forcing wide nine of the 10 Red Bulls shots, en route to his 50th clean sheet for the Lions across all competitions. The Peruvian shot stopper arrived in Orlando ahead of the 2020 season, posting by far the most shutouts of any Lions’ goalkeeper in the Club’s MLS era with the next closest being Joe Bendik at 13.
Staying on the Front Foot
Despite back-to-back shutouts offensively, Orlando City SC remains at the top of the Eastern Conference in terms of goals (15) and ranks third overall, behind Vancouver Whitecaps FC (17) and the San Jose Earthquakes (16). Orlando City also sits tied for third-most assists in the league (11), trailing only the Earthquakes (12) and 2025 expansion side San Diego FC (13). The Lions created 1.49 expected goals worth of chances in the first 55 minutes of Saturday’s game against the Red Bulls before Rodrigo Schlegel’s second-yellow/red card.
Profe Pareja
Earlier this week Orlando City SC announced that it has signed Head Coach Oscar Pareja to a new, three-year contract through the 2028 season. Since taking over as the Lions’ Head Coach ahead of the 2020 season, Pareja has led the team to an 88-58-56 record in 202 competitive matches, leading the side to five-consecutive Audi MLS Cup Playoffs appearances, its first two appearances in Concacaf Champions Cup, Club records for most wins and points in a season, an MLS is Back Tournament Final appearance, the Lions’ first trip to the MLS Eastern Conference Finals and the Club’s first trophy in its MLS era by winning the 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Pareja ranks as the fifth-winningest head coach in MLS history with 176 all-time wins and ranks second among head coaches currently active in Major League Soccer.
Muriel in Motion
Designated Player Luis Muriel’s underlying numbers continue to suggest top level production from the forward. The Colombian currently ranks seventh in MLS in non-penalty expected goals, both in total and per 90 minutes. Muriel ranks in the 99th percentile among forwards in Major League Soccer, and in similar leagues, in progressive carries and successful take-ons, while ranking in the 98th percentile in assists and shot creating actions. So far, the Colombian has contributed to six goals in the 2025 campaign, scoring three goals and providing three helpers.
Milestone Tracker:
- Martín Ojeda (26) is one helper away from taking over second place all-time for most assists in Club history across all competitions, currently tied with former captain Nani.
- Duncan McGuire (26) sits fourth on Orlando City’s all-time scoring list and is five goals away from tying former captain Nani (31) across all competitions for third.
- A win or draw would extend the Lions’ current unbeaten streak to six matches.
