Santos Laguna comes to town in Leagues Cup match

Orlando City will continue its 2023 Leagues Cup campaign with a matchup against Liga MX side Santos Laguna.

Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Exploria Stadium, with the game scheduled to be carried by MLS Season Pass on Apple TV+.

If either side wins in regulation, it will finish atop the group and advance. The Lions (0-01, 2 points) will be looking to win outright because a penalty-shootout win would send them to take on Lionel Messi and Inter Miami. Losing the penalty shootout with a score in regulation that is anything less than 3-3 would end the Lions’ run in the Leagues Cup.

This is only the second time the two sides have met. In the 2021 Leagues Cup, Santos (0-01, 1 point) won 1-0.

“It’s a great opportunity to compete against a good rival like Santos Laguna. Obviously, it’s going to increase this rivalry between the leagues of Mexico and the United States,” Lions coach Oscar Pareja said. “[Our] mission is to continue [in Leagues Cup] and advance to the next round. The players are good, we are optimistic and we are looking forward to a good game.”

Orlando City forward Duncan McGuire has 8 goals in 19 games, including 3 in his last four appearances. His regulation goal against the Houston Dynamo was instrumental in earning 2 points in that Leagues Cup penalty-shootout victory. Look for the Lions to provide opportunities early for him to score in this one as well.

Defender Antonio Carlos’ next appearance will mark his 100th across all competitions with the Lions, having earned the start in 91 appearances.

A vital defender, he also is expected to start against Santos.

Forward Gastón González (left thigh) and defender Mikey Halliday (left thigh) are ruled out.