Rapid Reactions: Leagues Cup begins with a roar

1. Starting strong in the 2024 Leagues Cup. After a stellar month of July leading into the tournament, the Lions dropped CF Montréal 4-1 on Friday night, starting the group stage at the very top.

2. The four goals by the Lions continue their terrific offensive form, with 18 goals coming in the month of July. Five of the six matches they've played this month have included multiple goals, showing just how dominant this Orlando offense has been over the last 30 days.

3. Dagur Dan got things started early, finding the net in the seventh minute. The goal came off the heels of constant attacking pressure, with back-to-back chances leading into it. Thórhallsson described it as his first "real goal" of the season, one that felt like a true strike and not just a clean-up goal. It was a moment that set the tone for the rest of the game.

4. In the heat of the summer, Facundo Torres stays hot. A goal and assist for the Uruguayn has him with four goals and three assists in his last six matches. His back-post finish was quality, getting on the end of a ball from César Araújo, while his assist gives him 23 in his Orlando career across all competitions, passing Kaká (22) for fourth on the Club’s all-time assist chart.

5. Ramiro Enrique is THE man in form. Five games since returning to play, five goals scored. It's been one of the hottest scoring runs in Orlando City history as he ties Daryl Dike for goals scored in consecutive matches, from back in 2021. His finish just before halftime showed off his confident play, getting on a ball into the box and finishing past the keeper with an outside-the-boot finish.

6. Another player that has been an absolute game changer has been Martín Ojeda. After struggling early in his Lions career to find consistency, the Designanted Player has found his niche in the middle of the park. Three goals and three assists in his last six games, mixing in his deadly set-piece deliveries, has completely revamped Orlando's attack that was missing a player like Mauricio Pereyra to help instigate the offense. While Ojeda and Pereyra aren't necessarily comparable in their skill sets, the impact that both brought in the middle of the park is game-changing to the team's attack.

7. El Pulpo comes up big. Just as Montréal looked to be getting back into the game with a goal and a penalty called, Pedro Gallese saved the penalty by Josef Martinez, his fifth penalty stop in his Lions career and second in 2024. Another player that had a rough start to the season, Gallese has slowly started to look more like himself in the last few weeks, just at the right time.

8. The Lions move on to their final group stage match in Leagues Cup as they host Atlético de San Luis on Sunday, Aug. 2. That game will kick off at 8 p.m. ET over on MLS Season Pass via Apple TV.