Soccer <\/p>\n
Orlando City SC<\/a> didn’t technically clinch a spot in the Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs on Saturday, but Duncan McGuire<\/a> has them all but qualified thanks to some stoppage-time heroics.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n McGuire scored a 95th-minute winner as the Lions snatched a late 3-2 home victory<\/a> over Nashville SC<\/a> that left them on the verge of a sixth-straight postseason trip under head coach Oscar Pareja.<\/p>\n In fact, the win would’ve clinched a playoff berth had other Matchday 35 results<\/a> gone their way.<\/p>\n “That was a big one for us, yeah,” McGuire told reporters post-match. “Yeah, a huge team win.”<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n While McGuire delivered the last-gasp winner, Mart\u00edn Ojeda<\/a> laid the foundation for Orlando’s first victory in three games with another stellar performance.<\/p>\n The Argentine No. 10 continued his Landon Donovan MLS MVP form with a first-half brace, highlighted by a stunning free kick at the half-hour mark.<\/p>\n “I also want to congratulate Mart\u00edn [Ojeda] on the contribution he has made with his goals for this franchise,” Pareja told reporters of the 26-year-old’s impact in 2025. “How important he has been for the club and how important he has been this year.”<\/p>\n Ojeda scored his second of the night just two minutes later, reaching 16g\/14 on the season while giving the Lions a comfortable cushion.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Orlando almost wasted it, conceding goals to Hany Mukhtar<\/a> and Jacob Shaffelburg<\/a> before McGuire came to the rescue off the bench.<\/p>\n “It was a tough game,” said McGuire, limited by injuries to 2g\/1a in 14 appearances this season “… [Nashville] battled back and didn’t make it easy for us. I feel like we had some struggles in the second half with the shaping of their buildout. They did a good job at holding possession against us.<\/p>\n “But in the end, a good team win,” McGuire added. “Glad we got the job done.”<\/p>\n In addition to a postseason berth, Orlando are chasing a top-four finish in the Eastern Conference that would secure homefield advantage in Round One of the playoffs.<\/p>\n Currently sixth in the East with 51 points, the Lions have four games remaining, beginning with their September 28 visit to FC Cincinnati<\/a> on Sunday Night Soccer presented by Continental Tire (7 pm ET | MLS Season Pass, Apple TV+<\/a>).<\/p>\n “We will keep pushing,” said Pareja. “There were a bunch of things that happened in the game that we want to happen again.<\/p>\n “I saw them, the boys felt them, and just going again in that direction will help us the rest of the regular season.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\nOjeda’s MVP case<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Job done<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n