Josef Martínez

STATS PREVIEW: CF Montréal vs Orlando City SC – 20.04.2024

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The Cardiac Cats are back, baby! Banishing Audi Field ghosts of the past, David Brekalo‘s first ever City goal and Duncan McGuire‘s 91st minute game winner dramatically sealed a morale-boosting and much-needed 2-3 comeback win at D.C. United in stoppage time.

After experiencing this high in the nation’s capital, Oscar Pareja‘s Orlando City SC now fly north to face CF Montréal in our second Canadian road trip of the season.

Currently eighth in the Eastern Conference on 10 points, Laurent Courtois’ CF Montréal side come into this game re-energised after a 2-1 victory against FC Cincinnati last weekend. A game that was actually CF Montréal’s 2024 home opener following six road fixtures, this win ended their streak of three consecutive MLS defeats. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Atlanta United vs Orlando City SC – 17.03.2024

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The MLS schedule makers certainly haven’t made it easy on Orlando City SC with Oscar Pareja‘s Lions now flying north above Interstate 75 to visit rivals Atlanta United at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in only our second away league fixture of 2024.

Embarrassingly humbled 5-0 at fellow rivals Inter Miami in our last MLS away fixture, City supporters are demanding a much more professional, committed, and gutsy performance this time around. But this will be anything but straightforward, not just because of The Five Stripes’ packed 40,000+ home crowd but because of our current state of mind.

City not only lost 2-3 to Minnesota United in MLS last Saturday but also got eliminated from the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup on Tuesday. Defeated 4-2 on aggregate by Tigres UANL in the Round of 16 stage, it’s truly been a miserable start to the year for Orlando City SC, whom much more was expected of, albeit facing a tough and unforgiving schedule to kick off our 2024 campaign. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Inter Miami vs Orlando City SC – 02.03.2024

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After a frustrating 0-0 draw against CF Montréal in our 2024 MLS home opener last Saturday, Oscar Pareja‘s Orlando City SC now contest one of the biggest games on this year’s schedule – an away trip to Fort Lauderdale to face fierce Florida rivals Inter Miami.

This year’s Sunshine Clásico falls earlier than ever before with the Lions hoping to achieve the mouthwatering prospect of defeating Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, and co in The Herons’ own backyard at Chase Stadium. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs CF Montréal – 24.02.2024

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After a short, breathless, and exciting off-season of refreshment, anticipation fills the air as Oscar Pareja‘s Orlando City SC kick off the 2024 Major League Soccer campaign.

Starting at home for a tenth consecutive MLS season, City open against CF Montréal (just like we did in 2022) after our crushing 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs defeat to Columbus Crew back in November. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs Inter Miami – 24.09.2023

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Mission accomplished! Despite suffering a 2-0 defeat at New York City FC last night, a favourable 1-1 draw between D.C. United and Atlanta United elsewhere saw Orlando City SC clinch their spot in the 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs with five games to spare. Reaching the promised land of the MLS post-season earlier than ever before, Oscar Pareja has now impressively steered the City ship into the playoffs for a fourth consecutive season.

In a mouth-watering prospect, Orlando City SC and Inter Miami now meet in MLS for the first time since the Lions’ highly controversial 2023 Leagues Cup Round of 32 defeat (3-1) at DRV PNK Stadium back on August 2.

With Lionel Messi’s brace helping steer The Herons towards what proved to be their first major title in club history, the injustice of several incidences against City has undoubtedly lit the touch paper for this eagerly anticipated rematch. Revenge will most certainly be on the minds of Orlando City SC players and supporters as the Lions aim to derail Inter Miami’s late push to reach the 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs.

In huge news, seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi WILL NOT visit Exploria Stadium for the very first time however. After The Herons’ 4-0 win over Toronto FC yesterday, Tata Martino ruled both Messi and Jordi Alba out of Sunday’s Sunshine Clásico after they were both subbed off with suspected first-half injuries in that game. Whether this is managerial mind games or not remains to be seen. 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: Orlando City SC vs Atlanta United – 27.05.2023

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Boy, that Inter Miami victory was sweet, right? Producing a much improved display to deservedly defeat Florida rivals Inter Miami 1-3, MLS Rivalry Week was one to remember. Especially for our loyal travelling band of City supporters at DRV PNK Stadium.

Rivalry victories hit different and Orlando City SC now have another great opportunity to help our supporters forget our early season struggles. With fellow fierce rivals Atlanta United in town, City should now be relishing the visit of The Five Stripes. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Inter Miami vs Orlando City SC – 20.05.2023

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Ifs, buts, and maybes. Unfortunately that was the tale of Wednesday evening after Orlando City SC conceded an 89th minute equaliser to draw 1-1 with New York City FC at Exploria Stadium.

Now twelve MLS regular season games into 2023, our disappointing and inconsistent campaign shows no signs of truly turning a corner. Oscar Pareja‘s Lions now visit Florida rivals Inter Miami who will no doubt be fired up for the first Sunshine Clásico of the year. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs Atlanta United – 14.09.2022

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After a heavy 5-1 defeat at Philadelphia Union, yet still buoyant after lifting the 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup trophy last week, Orlando City SC now face fierce rivals Atlanta United at home.

With just five MLS regular season games remaining, Oscar Pareja‘s Lions still have work to do to reach the 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs and currently sit only two points above the red line. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs Philadelphia Union – 23.07.2022

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After drawing 1-1 at rivals Atlanta United, and then facing Arsenal in a glamour friendly in between, Orlando City SC are back in MLS action as they welcome Philadelphia Union to Exploria Stadium.

Despite going three MLS games unbeaten, some sections of the City fanbase are growing increasingly frustrated at Oscar Pareja‘s tactics and an inability to kill games off in what is proving an inconsistent 2022 campaign. Continue reading →