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STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs CF Montréal – 30.09.2023

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Rescuing a one-goal deficit to draw 1-1 with Florida rivals Inter Miami, Oscar Pareja‘s Orlando City SC now face CF Montréal in our penultimate home fixture of the 2023 MLS regular season.

In a passionate Sunshine Clásico full of aggression and needle, a scrappy derby had flashes of promise but ultimately ended even. Admittedly a fair result on the balance of play, the Lions were very wasteful in front of goal despite Duncan McGuire‘s 66th minute equaliser – a goal that ensured Inter Miami have still never won at Exploria Stadium. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs St. Louis CITY SC – 26.08.2023

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Having had 17 days to stew on our disappointing 3-1 loss at Inter Miami in the 2023 Leagues Cup, Orlando City SC returned to MLS action the best way possible, defeating Chicago Fire 1-3 away to extend our fantastic form on the road.

Now rising to fourth in the Eastern Conference, City currently sit within the coveted home seeding spots for the 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs – the positions we hope to end up in once our 10 remaining regular season fixtures are complete. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Chicago Fire vs Orlando City SC – 20.08.2023

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Eliminated from the 2023 Leagues Cup back on August 2, Orlando City SC return to MLS regular season action, travelling to the Windy City to take on Chicago Fire at Soldier Field.

Prior to the Leagues Cup break, Oscar Pareja‘s Lions climbed to fifth in the Eastern Conference – and just one point off fourth-placed Nashville SC – after an impressive run of three victories in four MLS fixtures. Continue reading →

A quick word on *that* Inter Miami defeat before we all move on…

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Before we begin, Orlando City SC‘s 3-1 defeat to Inter Miami in the 2023 Leagues Cup on Wednesday evening was bitterly disappointing for players and supporters alike. Disappointing because ever since our 2011 founding, the club have long enjoyed a love affair with cup competitions, none greater than last season’s victorious 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup triumph – our first title in our MLS era.

A rivalry fixture – with state bragging rights at stake – it’s always gutting losing , especially in knockout competition in enemy territory, but genuine supporters accept these highs and lows as part and parcel of The Beautiful Game.

What I must admit though – and I reiterate that these opinions are the thoughts of Orlando City UK (Taylor Williams), not Orlando City SC – is that I had cynical feelings that our Inter Miami defeat would play out the way it did – and so it proved on a controversial night at DRV PNK Stadium. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Real Salt Lake vs Orlando City SC – 08.07.2023

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Even before the post-match Exploria Stadium fireworks show to commemorate July 4, Orlando City SC celebrated Independence Day with a bang by emphatically defeating Toronto FC 4-0.

Registering two home victories in a row and only losing one of our last eleven MLS fixtures, Oscar Pareja‘s upwardly mobile Lions now face a tough three-game road streak in MLS, sandwiched by at least two ties in the 2023 Leagues Cup. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs Toronto FC – 04.07.2023

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After beating Chicago Fire 3-1, Oscar Pareja‘s Orlando City SC stay at Exploria Stadium for a July 4 Independence Day showdown with Toronto FC.

Recently relieving Bob Bradley of his duties on June 26, Terry Dunfield is now interim head coach of TFC who face a Lions side placed seventh in the Eastern Conference, currently just three points behind fourth-placed Columbus Crew. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Minnesota United vs Orlando City SC – 15.04.2023

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Suffering a second successive home defeat to Nashville SC (0-2) back on April 1, Orlando City SC have had an entire fortnight to stew on that disappointing result.

Now visiting Minnesota United and legendary former City head coach Adrian Heath, Oscar Pareja‘s Lions have been unconvincing and inconsistent this year, going 2-2-2 in six MLS regular season games so far. Continue reading →

Orlando City SC reportedly in negotiations to sign Martín Ojeda

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According to a Thursday tweet from journalist César Luis Merlo, Orlando City SC are currently in negotiations to sign Godoy Cruz winger Martín Ojeda.

A long-term target of Orlando City SC, the 24-year-old Argentine was first linked with the Lions back in December 2021 and it appears Ojeda is still a wanted man at Exploria Stadium. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Columbus Crew vs Orlando City SC – 16.04.2022

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A week after losing 2-4 to Los Angeles FC, Orlando City SC bounced back with a morale-boosting 1-0 victory over Chicago Fire, inflicting Fire’s first loss of the season.

With Ercan Kara‘s first City goal proving the difference, Oscar Pareja‘s Lions now visit Columbus Crew for their fourth road trip of the 2022 season. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs Chicago Fire – 09.04.2022

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After a painful 2-4 home defeat to Los Angeles FC, Orlando City SC must pick themselves up quick for another home game, this time against Chicago Fire.

Suffering consecutive home losses for the first time under Oscar Pareja, we’ve now started 2022 with two victories, two draws, and two defeats. Continue reading →