Embed from Getty Images
It’s seemed an eternity since Orlando City SC’s last fixture hasn’t it?
But anyhow, welcome along to Orlando City UK’s latest stat attack instalment, bringing you all of our latest Orlando City SC stats to inform you about how the Lions’ next fixture may play out.
Excellent if you’re having a bet on the MLS action may we add!
So on Sunday evening, 2015 Major League Soccer champions Portland Timbers arrive in O-Town with Adrian Heath‘s Orlando City SC still searching for their first home victory of 2016.
Still undefeated after three games, the Lions return to the Citrus Bowl after running out 0-1 victors away at 2015 expansion rivals New York City FC on gameweek three.
With Cyle Larin striking the solitary goal at Yankee Stadium on that occasion, the Canadian has started the new campaign like a train with the 2015 MLS Rookie of the Year currently tied in second place in the Golden Boot race with three goals to his name thus far.
Heading into gameweek five, Orlando City SC are third from ten in the Eastern Conference whereas their Sunday night opposition Portland Timbers are down in a lowly eighth from ten on the back of their first ever MLS Cup title last term.
So with two days left to go until Caleb Porter’s side arrive at the Citrus Bowl, let us take this moment to deliver you all the stats that matter heading into this one.
2015 head-to-head stats
Given MLS rules, there was only one scheduled game played out between Portland Timbers and Orlando City SC last season.
Adrian Heath’s Lions made the long jaunt to Providence Park last April whereas the Cascadia side will be doing the honours of travelling the five hour, 30 minute flight to Central Florida this term.
And in that solitary meeting between the pair last term, it was Orlando City SC who made the long trip pay off with a Cyle Larin‘s first-half strike and a re-taken second-half Kaká penalty bringing all of the three points back to the Citrus Bowl.
Representing the Lions’ second away victory of 2015 having already beaten Houston Dynamo away prior to that game, it truly gave Adrian Heath’s team some early positive momentum.
Kaká’s initial and re-taken penaltiy to help seal a 0-2 win for Orlando City SC at Portland Timbers last term (Credit: Mark Fetters)
It was very much a watershed moment for Cyle Larin against Portland Timbers last term with the Canadian international’s goal at Providence Park representing his FIRST EVER as a professional in Major League Soccer.
0:47 seconds – Cyle Larin gives Orlando City SC the lead away at Providence Park in April 2015 (Credit: Portland Timbers)
Orlando City SC form
While many Orlando City SC supporters were feeling pretty downbeat with just two points to show from the first two fixtures of 2016 despite the rousing comeback against Real Salt Lake, the gameweek three victory over New York City FC has put a new spin on the situation.
Many are now pointing to the fact that Adrian Heath‘s men are still unbeaten so far this season and in a wider context, the Lions are now undefeated in their last EIGHT Major League Soccer fixtures.
With Timbers struggling so far this term as well, Sunday should represent an ideal time to win over many of the lingering doubters heading into the summer.
Portland Timbers form
After sticking the knife in on beaten 2015 MLS Cup finalists Columbus Crew yet again on gameweek one with a 2-1 victory at Providence Park, Caleb Porter’s Timbers have only picked up one point since.
Going down 2-1 to San Jose Earthquakes before drawing 2-2 against Real Salt Lake last time out, it’s fair to say that we usually get goals whenever the 2015 MLS champions are involved.
With the anomaly of course being on gameweek two when Timbers could only muster a late consolation strike through Jack McInerney away at San Jose Earthquakes where they lost 2-1, Caleb Porter’s side are more than capable of striking goals, whether home or away.
Perhaps the biggest threat to Orlando City SC’s defence is Timbers’ Nigerian international forward Fanendo Adi who himself bagged a brace against Real Salt Lake in a 2-2 draw last time out.
Receiving a call-up from his African nation during the recent international break to boot, both Tommy Redding and Seb Hines will need to be on their mettle to stop the dangerous 25-year-old hitman.
They weren’t 2015 Major League Soccer champions for nothing!
While Timbers haven’t started the 2016 campaign like they finished in 2015, Caleb Porter’s side are still an incredibly capable outfit so this will be no walk in the park for our Lions who have in all honesty been nervy at the Citrus Bowl from what we’ve seen so far.
Portland are undefeated in 11 of their last 12 MLS fixtures with that San Jose Earthquakes loss proving the anomaly so it’s over to Inchy and the boys to out-tactic the men from Cascadia on Sunday evening!