By Alex Thierry
Two of North America's most talented squads begin their 2026 Leagues Cup campaign when Monterrey visits Orlando City at Inter&Co Stadium.
HEAD-TO-HEAD:
- 1st matchup all-time
- Record at Leagues Cup: Monterrey (6-6), Orlando City (5-6)
LAST FIVE GAMES:
- Monterrey:
- 3 Wins, 0 Draws, 2 Losses
- Orlando City:
- 3 Wins, 0 Draws, 2 Losses
MAIN STORYLINES:
- Monterrey remains the only LIGA MX club to reach a Leagues Cup semifinal,
advancing to the final four in 2023. - Can Matías Almeyda guide Monterrey to replicate their deepest tournament run?
- Can Lucas Ocampos continue his scoring streak after four goals in his first three matches?
- Orlando City SC recorded its best-ever Leagues Cup finish in 2025, advancing to the semifinals and finishing fourth overall.
- Orlando City strengthened its roster with the signing of French World Cup winner Antoine Griezmann, adding one of the tournament's biggest international stars.
KEY FACTORS:
- Monterrey:
- Opened the Apertura tournament with two wins and one loss.
- Monterrey features a revamped attack with names like Diego Rossi, Hugo Cuypers, and Orbelín Pineda.
- Monterrey has scored 6 goals in their three first Liga MX games
- Orlando City:
- 25-year-old striker, Tyrese Spicer, is looking to score a goal in his 3rd straight game.
- Orlando City's attack has been firing, scoring 13 goals over its last five matches.
- Orlando City’s newest star Antoine Griezmann has contributed a goal and an assist on his first 3 MLS appearances.
WHAT TO EXPECT?
Expect an open, entertaining match between two sides that boast no shortage of attacking talent on Day 2 of Leagues Cup 2026.
Monterrey enters with one of the tournament's most dangerous attacks, led by Lucas Ocampos and Diego Rossi, both of whom have been in strong goalscoring form. Rayados also possess tremendous depth, with proven game-changers like Hugo Cuypers and Uroš Đurđević capable of making an impact off the bench.
Under new manager Matías Almeyda, Monterrey will look to impose its aggressive, attack-minded style as it begins its Leagues Cup campaign in pursuit of three points.
Orlando City arrives with added star power following the signing of 2018 FIFA World Cup champion Antoine Griezmann. One of the tournament's biggest international attractions, the French forward has already recorded a goal and an assist in his first three MLS appearances.
With attacking quality on both sides and plenty of firepower throughout each squad, this matchup has all the ingredients to be one of the marquee contests of the opening matchday as both clubs look to make an early statement in the tournament.
Monterrey enters as the slight favorite with 42% of the Polymarket prediction, compared to 35% for Orlando City SC. The narrow margin points to one of the most competitive matchups of Leagues Cup's opening week.
