ORLANDO — Daryl Dike scored his first goal since returning to Central Florida, but Orlando City SC’s 2-2 draw with Liga MX side Atlético de San Luis at Inter.co Stadium ended the Lions’ Leagues Cup 2026 run despite a 5-3 penalty-kick shootout victory.

Orlando (1-1-1, 5 points) needed more than a draw to advance past Phase One, marking the first time the club has failed to reach the knockout round since the tournament format launched in 2023. San Luis (0-2-1, 1 point) struck twice late — in the 79th minute and the seventh minute of second-half stoppage time — to erase a two-goal deficit.

“Yes, it was a good game. Of course, we always want to win it. We were close. We couldn’t close it and we don’t like that, but then in the penalties, we were able to win it,” interim head coach Martín Perelman said. “I think it’s important for us in terms of minutes for the players. It was our goal to have the full roster able to compete, and I think today the guys performed. And we faced a good team as well, and it was a tough game. It was a competitive game. Now we’re thinking on the next one.”

Dike, making his first start for the Lions since 2021 before his transfer to West Bromwich Albion FC, opened the scoring in the 31st minute by pouncing on a rebound after San Luis goalkeeper Manuel Lajud saved Tiago’s header off a Wilder Cartagena cross. The goal was Dike’s 20th all-time for the Lions across all competitions, leaving the Oklahoma native one shy of tying former Lion Tesho Akindele for 10th in club history.

Homegrown forward Justin Ellis doubled the lead in the 69th minute, 10 minutes after entering as a substitute, heading home a Tiago feed at the near post for his third goal as a Lion and his ninth goal contribution across all competitions. Tiago’s assist was his fifth across all competitions as a Lion.

“I hate losing. I hate being knocked out, like anything. But we have to take the positives and move forward,” Ellis said. “I think it’s really important, and I think we saw, like Gustavo [Caraballo] today; he performed so good. He has a big future. Like other people, like [Colin] Guske. I know I’m missing a lot, but I think it’s good. It was a good opportunity for everybody to see that we do have good depth and we can use anybody on our roster. That was a good takeaway from Leagues Cup.”

Perelman made seven changes to his starting lineup from the previous match against Club León. Designated Player Antoine Griezmann wore the captain’s armband for the first time after entering as a second-half substitute. Orlando City B midfielder Issah Haruna, the 20th overall pick in the 2026 MLS SuperDraft, made his first-team debut, while midfielder Colin Guske returned to action after his stint with the United States Men’s U-20 National Team at the Concacaf U-20 Championship. Goalkeeper Javier Otero made one save in the shootout as Orlando converted all five penalties. Defender Nolan Miller (knee) and midfielders Eduard Atuesta (thigh), Braian Ojeda (foot) and Martín Ojeda (thigh) missed the match because of injury.

Orlando City returns to MLS action Saturday against FC Cincinnati at Inter.co Stadium at 7:30 p.m. ET on Apple TV.