Orlando City SC defeated the New England Revolution 1-0 Saturday evening at Inter.co Stadium in Orlando, Fla., securing the No. 8 seed and home-field advantage for the Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs Wild Card match. Braian Ojeda scored the winning goal in the 45th minute. The victory also clinched Orlando City SC’s seventh consecutive postseason berth, which the club identified as the longest active streak in Major League Soccer.
Orlando City SC finished the regular season with a 13-14-7 record and 46 points, while the New England Revolution finished 18-11-4 with 58 points. The match was Orlando’s final regular-season game and was identified as Decision Day. Orlando also finished 10-4-2 at Inter.co Stadium during the 2026 MLS regular season.
Ojeda scores before halftime
The teams traded chances throughout the first half before Orlando City SC broke through in the 45th minute. Antoine Griezmann’s cross was cleared outside the box, and Ojeda collected the ball before scoring on a volley past New England goalkeeper Matt Turner. The goal was Ojeda’s second as a Lion and sixth of his MLS career.
“We were doing things well. We were really good tonight defensively, and I think we’ve improved a lot defensively over the course of the year, and that really helped us get the result tonight. I’m really happy about the goal. It surprised me, but I was really happy with the goal and to get the win,” Ojeda said.
Orlando defense preserves lead
The New England Revolution pushed for an equalizer in the second half, but Orlando City SC held firm. Maxime Crépeau recorded his fifth clean sheet of the 2026 MLS campaign as Orlando secured the result. Interim head coach Martín Perelman said the team wanted to close the regular season well at home while preparing for the playoffs.
“I think today was a very important game for us, the last one, Decision Day for us. It was important to close the regular season in a good manner in our stadium, at home, with our fans and our families, and also to help us as we look ahead to the playoffs. So, it was a good night for us,” Perelman said.
Robin Jansson and Tyrese Spicer missed the match because of foot injuries, while Iago Teodoro served a suspension for yellow-card accumulation. Perelman made two changes to the starting lineup from Orlando City SC’s previous match against Charlotte FC, inserting David Brekalo and Eduard Atuesta. Crépeau said the team was happy with the win and the performance that earned the home playoff match.
Orlando will host FC Cincinnati
Orlando City SC will host FC Cincinnati in the Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs Wild Card round. The match is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 19, at 7:30 p.m. at Inter.co Stadium. The victory over New England secured Orlando’s home-field advantage for the postseason opener.
“Well, look, happy with the win. Happy with the win, obviously, that was the main focus for tonight, controlling what we can in the circumstances that we had. Everybody is aware that Columbus Crew scored in the last minute, so obviously we will host FC Cincinnati. So, we’re enjoying tonight because it was a performance that the guys worked hard for. Very happy with the three points and obviously having a good send-off for our captain, Robbie [Robin Jansson],” Crépeau said.
FSB Take
Orlando City SC enters the Wild Card round with the match at home and a regular-season home record of 10-4-2. Ojeda’s 45th-minute goal delivered the result needed to secure the No. 8 seed. The defensive performance, including Crépeau’s fifth clean sheet, gives Orlando a clear foundation for its playoff opener against FC Cincinnati.
Source: Original report