For Orlando City SC, Head Coach Oscar Pareja made three changes to his starting lineup, bringing back Alex Freeman and Marco Pašalić, and introducing Luis Muriel in place of Ramiro Enrique. Notably, Orlando City B player Dylan Judelson is available off the bench for the first time, following his recent signing to the MLS NEXT Pro team. Captain Robin Jansson is on the verge of a major milestone; if he starts, he will reach 20,000 minutes played for the club in all competitions during the match, specifically in the 85th minute—a first in Orlando history.
Martín Ojeda continues to set records for the Lions. With 14 goals and 15 assists this season, Ojeda has become the most productive single-season player in club history. His next goal will be his 15th of 2025, tying Duncan McGuire’s 2023 mark for third-highest in a season for the club. Moreover, Ojeda could be the first Orlando City player ever to achieve 30 goal contributions in a single campaign, and he currently holds a club record with a goal or assist in twelve consecutive matches—a streak he could extend further in this clash against Necaxa.
Orlando City are coming off a 3-1 win over Atlas FC, a result that kept their quarterfinal ambitions alive. Iván Angulo, since returning to the starting lineup, has contributed 1 goal and 3 assists in five matches, including his first goal since October 2024. Marco Pašalić ended a seven-match goal drought with a stoppage-time strike against Atlas, setting a new club record for the latest regular-time goal.
On the other side, Club Necaxa—nicknamed Los Rayos—are managed by rising Argentine coach Fernando Gago, who has previously led Racing Club, Boca Juniors, and Chivas Guadalajara. Necaxa finished fifth in the 2025 Clausura and feature Colombian international striker Díber Cambindo, who scored 16 goals in 30 league games last season. The team also boasts Argentine forward Tomás Badaloni, who has three goals in two Leagues Cup matches, and welcomed new signings Tomás Jacob and Johan Rojas following the departure of star playmaker José Paradela.
Historically, this is the first-ever meeting between Orlando City and Club Necaxa. Both clubs have a lot at stake, with a victory likely ensuring a spot in the next round. Necaxa, founded in 1923 and based in Aguascalientes, are among the oldest teams in Liga MX and have a rich history, including three league titles and a 1999 CONCACAF Champions Cup win. Their recent draw against Inter Miami saw them concede a stoppage-time equalizer before losing in penalties, but they remain one of just six Liga MX teams with four or more points after two matches in this year’s Leagues Cup.
All eyes will be on key performers like Ojeda, Angulo, and Jansson for Orlando, as well as Cambindo and Badaloni for Necaxa. With both teams in strong form and a place in the knockout rounds on the line, Wednesday’s match promises to be a high-stakes encounter between two ambitious clubs making their mark on the 2025 Leagues Cup.