Orlando City SC carries momentum past tough Toluca in Leagues Cup | OneFootball

Orlando City SC has gone further into the Leagues Cup tournament than ever with their penalty-kick win over Deportivo Toluca.

It took a penalty-kick shootout to resolve 90 minutes of a 0-0 draw in the 2025 Leagues Cup tournament. But Orlando City SC did it, defeating Deportivo Toluca on penalties 6-5.

It took focus and tactical execution that wasn’t possible for the Orlando City squad last season. Toluca is the team needed to worry about the most in the Leagues Cup. And they did.

In previous matches in this competition, the Lions relied heavily on their Designated Players. Luis Muriel, Martin Ojeda, and Marco Pasalic contributed seven of the nine team goals in their first three games.

But no one scored any in regulation facing Toluca in the quarterfinal.

They faced the Apertura winners, representing the best team in Liga MX. The Lions had to match a high-powered offense and present a solid, creative defense centered on goalkeeper Pedro Gallese.

The Orlando netminder had already faced a barrage of 15 shots from Toluca, although none of them were on target in the first 90 minutes. Then he opposed placing penalty kicks requiring acrobatic saves.

That alone triggered loud praise from supporters. As Gallese walked from his net, he didn’t exhibit even one bead of sweat. He then asked to take the shot assigned to teammate Ivan Angulo.

El Pulpo netted the shot and reserved a slot in the Leagues Cup semifinal for Orlando against Inter Miami CF.

Aug 20, 2025; Carson, California, USA; Toluca forward Alexis Vega (9) and Orlando City SC midfielder Joran Gerbet (35) battle for the ball at Dignity Health Sports Park. Mandatory Credit: William Navarro-Imagn Images | Will Navarro-Imagn Images

The Miami side has lost twice in MLS competition to Orlando City this season. But they bring momentum after winning a wild quarterfinal match against Tigres UANL.

There’s a great prize for Orlando if they finish in the top three of the Leagues Cup. It will solidify their spot in the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup. Overall, they’ve extended their unbeaten streak to eight consecutive games.

Orlando City SC has peaked at the best time for both MLS and Leagues Cup competitions. They will use their momentum to counter the momentum of other strong opponents. It will carry them far through the rest of this season.