MLS Week 5: Orlando City's Decisive Win Over D.C. United

Orlando City delivered a commanding performance on Saturday, March 22, securing a 4-1 win over D.C. United in Matchday 5 of the MLS regular season. The match marked a historic milestone for the Lions, as all three of their Designated Players scored in the same game for the first time in club history.

Key Moments of the Match

The breakthrough came in the 21st minute when Luis Muriel connected with a precise cross from Alex Freeman, heading the ball past D.C.'s defense to ignite the home crowd. The Colombian forward had threatened earlier with two near misses before finally converting.

Just before halftime, Martín Ojeda doubled the lead with a well-placed strike in the 44th minute. Capitalizing on a poor clearance by D.C. United, Ojeda received a pass from Ivan Angulo at the edge of the box, took a couple of strides, and fired a shot that deflected off a defender and into the net.

In the beginning of the second half, Freeman turned from provider to scorer. Meeting an Ojeda set-piece delivery, the young defender soared above the opposition to nod in Orlando’s third goal at the far post.

Orlando’s dominance continued in the 68th minute when Ojeda orchestrated a counterattack, feeding Marco who cut inside and unleashed a stunning strike into the top corner to make it 4-0.

D.C. United managed a consolation goal in stoppage time through Lukas MacNaughton, but it did little to dent Orlando City's emphatic victory.

Outstanding Performances

Martín Ojeda emerged as the game's standout performer, tallying a goal and two assists while orchestrating Orlando's attacking rhythm. Luis Muriel and Alex Freeman also delivered impactful performances, with Freeman contributing both a goal and an assist. Goalkeeper Javier Otero provided a solid last line of defense, making crucial saves to maintain Orlando’s dominance.

What's next for Orlando City and DC United?

The Lions are in nineth place in the East Conference with seven points after five games. Next Saturday, Orlando will travel to Los Angeles to face the LA Galaxy at 7:30 PM PT (10:30 PM ET). D.C. United will host Columbus Crew on the same day at 7:30 PM ET.