Soccer <\/p>\n
Marco Pa\u0161ali\u0107<\/a>\u2019s star turn continues.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n The Croatian international winger curled a gorgeous strike from outside the box to cap off a dominant Orlando City SC<\/a> performance in Saturday’s 4-1 home win<\/a> over D.C. United<\/a>.<\/p>\n After a pretty team build-up in the 56th minute, Pa\u0161ali\u0107 cut inside on his left foot and rocketed an unstoppable shot into the upper 90.<\/p>\n \u201cMy left foot can be a weapon, and today it was a weapon,\u201d Pa\u0161ali\u0107 said post-match.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n For head coach Oscar Pareja, Pa\u0161ali\u0107’s was just one of many strong performances that gave the Lions a much-needed result that improved them to 2W-2L-1D (7 points).<\/p>\n \u201cIt was very important to add three points tonight,\u201d Pareja told reporters. \u201cWe felt that everyone is raising their level and that makes us collectively a stronger team.<\/p>\n “There\u2019s a lot of work to do still, but tonight was a game where we must add three points and play well so we can raise our confidence.\u201d<\/p>\n Pa\u0161ali\u0107, Orlando’s marquee offseason signing from HNK Rijeka who replaced all-time club scoring leader Facundo Torres, has made quite the imprint for the Lions so far. He now has four goals in his maiden MLS campaign.<\/p>\n \u201cWe played incredible today,\u201d the 24-year-old said. \u201cThe team spirit was there from the first minute. We fight, we play together as a team\u2026 I can say today, we did everything right.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n What the sign says ???? pic.twitter.com\/L0hCILq27H<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) March 23, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n Joining Pa\u0161ali\u0107 on the scoresheet were Mart\u00edn Ojeda<\/a> and Luis Muriel<\/a>, two fellow Designated Players who form the core of Orlando\u2019s attack.<\/p>\n \u201cI like that we have this connection together and everybody has this good feeling in front,\u201d Pa\u0161ali\u0107 said. \u201cIt was from the first day, I felt [the chemistry] with them. When I play with the Croatian national team, they play the same style of football with [Luka] Modri\u0107, with [Mateo] Kovacic, with everybody.<\/p>\n “It was easy for me to adapt because we play offensive football.\u201d<\/p>\n Orlando haven’t missed a beat despite losing Torres, putting together MLS\u2019s most prolific attack through Matchday 5. With their DPs leading the way, the Lions have scored 13 times in just five games.<\/p>\n \u201cThey understand that in this league, they have been called DPs for a reason,\u201d Pareja said. \u201cIt\u2019s not a secret that if we want the biggest prize, we need these guys to elevate. They showed it today and I\u2019m very happy.\u201d<\/p>\n Next up for Orlando is a March 29 visit to defending MLS Cup champions LA Galaxy<\/a> (10:30 pm ET | MLS Season Pass<\/a>).<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\nStatement performance<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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Offense clicking<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n