Everything you need to know about Orlando City vs Clube Atlético Mineiro

Orlando, FL – The Florida weather crazies decided to take a break from… whatever’s been up with it lately. Seriously? Snow? In Florida?! Anyway, maybe Orlando fans didn’t get the memo or check their weather app because Inter & Co. Stadium was damn near empty for the Orlando City vs Clube Atlético Mineiro match, part of this year’s FC Series matches. However, none of that is important. What is important is that we finally got our first look at the new Orlando City squad, fresh off their first trip to the MLS Eastern Conference Finals. Here’s everything you need to know about yesterday’s Orlando City vs Clube Atlético Mineiro preseason match.

Aside from the match ending in a 0-0 draw, which saw the Lions eventually win (6-5) in a penalty shootout, plenty of storylines were at play. Orlando City has a new #10, and the vets along with some youngsters kept Hulk and Atlético Mineiro at bay.

Now… it’s the preseason, so take whatever you may have seen during the match with a grain of salt. By now, we all know how Coach Oscar “Papi” Pareja operates. The preseason, and quite frankly, the first couple of months in the season, mean absolutely nothing in regards to how the Lions will eventually look down the home stretch of the season. Pareja likes to tinker until he finds the perfect 11 on the pitch. This match vs Mineiro is no different.

Our new 🔟 pic.twitter.com/D3pjeQQILz

— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) January 25, 2025

Part of the current tinkering is figuring out who’s going to replace former Orlando City star, Facundo Torres. It seems Pareja already has an answer to that as Martín Ojeda was rockin’ the #10. Last season, Ojeda was second only to Facu in goal contributions, scoring five and assisting nine in MLS competitions. With no major signings, it’s no wonder Ojeda was next in line to lead the Lions.

The Lions taking on @Atletico 🟣@orlandohealth | #VamosOrlando pic.twitter.com/pyYVZEcW03

— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) January 25, 2025

Coach Pareja started their 2024 MLS SuperDraftee, Yutaro Tsukada, as well as academy product, 16-year-old Gustavo Caraballo. (Great first name, kid) Tsukada had some good looks, but could not convert. That being said, he did well finding space against some world-class defenders. Pareja also started Defender, Alexander Freeman. He’s been with the club since joining the academy in 2020 from Weston FC in South Florida. He hasn’t had much time with the senior squad, but he certainly made a case for being included regularly after helping to shut down Atlético Mineiro and Hulk.

Before getting too excited about the young guns, let’s remember that the early part of the season is Pareja’s time for tinkering. There’s no way to tell how the squad will look in the dog days of summer, but Pareja now has a better understanding of how to move forward and build off of last season.

Next up, Orlando and Inter Miami will play a neutral-site preseason match in Tampa Bay, FL on Valentine’s Day. We’ll see for whom Cupid shows up.