By Victor Araiza
Orlando City goalkeeper Pedro Gallese stole the spotlight in a clash between two of the top offenses in MLS and Liga MX, with the MLS side advancing 6-5 on penalties over defending Liga MX champions Toluca FC in the Leagues Cup quarterfinals on Wednesday at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.
The teams played to a scoreless draw in regulation, combining for just one shot on target.
Orlando City’s best chance came in the 18th minute when Marco Pašalić slipped a through ball to Martín Ojeda for what looked like the opener, only for the play to be ruled offside.
Toluca, meanwhile, welcomed Alexis Vega back into the starting lineup. The Mexican international created four key passes, but none of his team’s 15 attempts were on frame. Juan Pablo Domínguez had a last-gasp opportunity in stoppage time, but his effort under heavy pressure from three defenders went wide, sending the match to penalties.
Vega converted the opening kick for Toluca, but Orlando responded immediately through Ojeda. Federico Pereira, Robert Morales, Jesús Gallardo, and Franco Romero all scored to keep the Liga MX champions perfect through their first five attempts. Robin Jansson, Alex Freeman, Joran Gerbet, and Kyle Smith matched them to push the shootout into sudden death.
In the sixth round, Gallese denied Nicolás Castro, only for Ramiro Enrique to miss wide of the post and keep Toluca alive. The Peruvian goalkeeper then made another crucial stop on Domínguez before stepping up himself — calmly slotting home the winning penalty to seal Orlando City’s place in the semifinals and set up a Florida Derby.
REACTIONS
- Orlando City Head Coach Oscar Pareja:
- We relied on Pedro Gallese’s experience and, regarding the decision about him taking a penalty or not, it was mixed. We looked at him, and saw he was on the list, when I saw that he was so convinced to take it we knew.”
- Toluca Head Coach Antonio Mohamed:
- “I think it was a game in which we all expected a lot of goals, because they were the two most important offenses in the two leagues. But soccer has these things. And then, the penalties, which leave us empty-handed. It makes us sad because we wanted to advance.”
PLAYERS OF THE MATCH
- Orlando City:
- Pedro Gallese kept a clean sheet in regulation, followed it up with two saves in the shootout and then scored the winning kick in the shootout delivering a memorable performance for the Peruvian goalkeeper.
GAME NOTES
- Orlando City SC advances to its first Leagues Cup semifinals.
- The MLS side extended its winning streak to five consecutive matches.
- The Lions get the win in the first ever meeting between the two clubs.
- Toluca FC reached its best finish to date in Leagues Cup by exiting in the quarterfinals.
- Pedro Gallese had zero saves in regulation, then made two in the shootout.
CARDS/INJURY REPORT
- Yellow Cards
- Toluca FC: Federico Pereira
- Orlando City: David Brekalo, Rodrigo Schlegel, Eduard Atuesta
LOOKING AHEAD
- Toluca FC will visit Cruz Azul on Saturday in a meeting of top five clubs in the early Liga MX Apertura 2025 standings.
- Orlando City returns to MLS action by visiting Nashville SC on Saturday in a key match for playoff positioning among the top four in the Eastern Conference. Then they will meet rivals Inter Miami CF next Wednesday in the semifinals.
