MLS power rises as Orlando City stuns Atlético Mineiro in dramatic shootout | OneFootball

The preseason for 2025 got under way with some real weight: Orlando City SC and Atlético Mineiro facing off in the FC Series as part of Inter&Co Soccer Week. Though scoreless through regular time, the Lions won on penalties 6-5 after an action-packed conclusion to the match at Inter&Co Stadium. Beyond the scoreboard, the match marked a milestone: the obvious growth of Orlando City and Major League Soccer (MLS) against the traditional dominance of Brazilian soccer, represented by Atlético Mineiro, one of the strongest teams in the country.

If Brazil is the "country of soccer," then its clubs should display that art on the pitch. Take for example Atlético-MG with their rich history and respected squad. Against Orlando City, however, they came up against a rising MLS representative of what the league has grown technically and tactically.

It took only 45 minutes of the game for one to make it clear: the Lions were not there only to give their presence a meaning. Moving with fast game transitions and quick movements on the ball, Orlando City made the rear-guard of Atlético suffer in some moments, even when Galo, despite the skillful Gabriel Menino and Fausto Vera on the lineup, had failed in adjusting to the final third of the pitch. But in the first half, too, was brilliant work from Atlético's goalkeeper, Everson.

On Orlando's side, Rafael Santos made a dangerous shot over the bar in the 26th minute, gauging Orlando's growing confidence. The pressure, already high after the first half, was so strong that by the 45th minute, only the clearance from Júnior Alonso saved Galo from a concession.

Changes without inspiration

The second half was full of extreme changes, mainly for Atlético-MG, with ten substitutions in search of adjustments and tests. Result: a disarticulated team that didn't know how to hold the ball. The best chance for Galo came with Palacios, who, before the 10th minute, kicked a strong kick that was followed by Pedro Gallese, Orlando City's goalkeeper and one of the heroes of the day.

On the other side, Orlando City maintained its offensive volume but did not seize the opportunities for clear goals. It was a time when one could say that the MLS team had some solid structure with a combined team ready for better things.

Gallese steals the show

The match ended 0-0 and the decision had to be decided by a penalty shootout, which means nerves took over. Orlando City proved that they were up for it. Each team missed one of their first five attempts.

But the name of the star was Pedro Gallese. The Peruvian goalkeeper, elected as the match's best player, saved the penalty of Bruno Fuchs to secure the symbolic title for the Lions. Although it was only a friendly, this triumph had a deep symbolic meaning for Major League Soccer.

MLS on the path to prominence

This result mirrors the place MLS has won in the world scene of soccer: with competitive teams, a high level of players, and an organization that continuously grows at very fast rates.

To face and defeat a team like Atlético Mineiro, one of the giants of Brazilian soccer, is not a small task. Even in a friendly, the result shows the rising quality of the American league. More than that, it shows that soccer in the United States is not only on the right path but also ready for even greater challenges.

MLS is increasingly ready to hold its own with the best. For the good of the United States, so is soccer. After all, a truly global game thrives on strong leagues across the globe.

With the hard-fought yet symbolic win, Orlando City and MLS said it loud: American soccer was standing tall, ready to take on even the giants.