Orlando City SC nearly earns clean sheet against D.C. United | OneFootball

Orlando City SC got the three points they’ve been seeking. Yet the 4-1 win over D.C. United exposes a vital area wanting improvement.

The 2025 MLS season is still young. However, Orlando City SC players have wanted all three points from a match. They got them, winning 4-1 over D.C. United.

The winning goal came by halftime with the score 2-0. They were goals by Luis Muriel and Martin Ojeda, both assisted by Ivan Angulo with the first assist on the first score by Alex Freeman.

Over the first half, the inconsistent passing that held the Lions back in previous matches was gone. The defense was the best supporters had seen in 2025. As overwhelmed as D.C. United was, opposing players and coaches went to their locker room and brainstormed, seeking an answer.

Their answer included a strategy from the previous season to defeat Orlando City. D.C. United hit the second-half pitch and pushed their accelerator to the floor. They also tightened up their offense.

Yet the Lions were able to score twice more. Through the 56th minute, Alex Freeman and Marco Pasalic brought the squad to a 4-0 score. Martin Ojeda contributed the assists, with a second assist on the fourth goal by Luis Muriel.

Mar 8, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Orlando City forward Marco Pasalic (87) controls the ball defended by New York City FC midfielder Jonathan Shore (32) during the first half at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Smith-Imagn Images | Mark Smith-Imagn Images

D.C. United tried their best but they didn’t read their scouting reports correctly. Last season, successful opponents would wait until late in the second half to hit the gas and run on the Lions. United came out like they were rocket-propelled from the 46th minute.

To United’s credit, their stamina held up, even if they couldn’t match Orlando’s skill. Everyone in the stadium had already recorded a 4-0 clean sheet for City by the 90th minute. But the opponents had one more statement left to make.

The screaming shots and headers into United’s net kept Lions’ supporters from gritting their teeth. Orlando’s starting goalkeeper Pedro Gallese is out with his Peruvian National Team. Javier Otero served as keeper in his place.

Because of his teammates’ strong defensive effort, Otero only got tested by five shots on goal with four saves, including one punch save.

Orlando City SC with their second win now knows what to do to earn three points. With intensive drills on defense, they can earn a clean sheet, too.