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So Gameweek 1 has already passed and Stéfano Pinho‘s stoppage time equaliser against D.C. United felt like a winner given the fact Orlando City SC were playing with 10 men following PCs red card.
Following that pulsating 1-1 draw, Jason Kreis‘ side now face Lions club legend Adrian Heath and his Minnesota United side – a game that Orlando City UK is attending LIVE.
With seven players making their Orlando City SC debuts against D.C. United, the standout new boys were Justin Meram and Mohamed El-Munir, the latter of which made a stunning recovery challenge on Darren Mattocks in the 78th minute.
In all honesty an Orlando City SC starting eleven we are probably unlikely to see again given the injuries and suspensions in the lead up to the opener, rookies Cam Lindley and Chris Mueller also received a baptism of fire by starting.
With Sacha Kljestan now serving the second and final game of his suspension, the United States international will be itching to get back onto the field against New York City FC at Yankee Stadium on March 17th.
As for our Gameweek 2 opponents Minnesota United, this game is incredibly poignant given the fact Orlando City SC club legend Adrian Heath is returning to Orlando City Stadium for the very first time as an opposition coach.
Unceremoniously fired by Orlando City SC in July 2016, there is no denying ‘Inchy’ is an absolute legend in 407 having won two USL Championships and three USL regular season titles between 2011 and 2014.
Come kick-off on Saturday night however, there will be no room for sentiment with Orlando City SC chasing their first three points of the season and a first MLS victory over the Loons.
Head-to-head stats
In one of Orlando City SC‘s weakest displays of 2017, the Lions went down 1-0 in their first ever MLS meeting with Minnesota United in May 2017.
Facing off at TCF Bank Stadium, a solitary second-half strike from Christian Ramirez proved the difference in a Loons victory the press were claiming was revenge for Adrian Heath.
Only Inchy knows how he truly feels about his controversial Lions exit but there is no denying that he loves Orlando City SC with the Englishman set for a rapturous and respectful return to Central Florida.
Minnesota United 1 Orlando City SC 0 – Highlights – May 27, 2017 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
Orlando City SC form
We’ve long grown used to Orlando City SC fixtures being goal fests but when assessing our recent home form, goals have been harder to come by.
Drawing 0-0 with FC Dallas in our penultimate home fixture of 2017 ahead of a 0-1 loss to Columbus Crew, add in last Saturday’s 1-1 draw with D.C. United and Orlando City SC have been far from free scoring lately.
With regular goalscorer Cyle Larin since departed and Dom Dwyer still injured, we wonder whether last Saturday’s super sub Stéfano Pinho will start in place of rookie Chris Mueller against Minnesota United.
Orlando City SC 1 D.C. United 1 – Highlights – March 3, 2018 (Credit: Orlando City SC)
Minnesota United form
Minnesota United opened 2018 with the very same scoreline they suffered in their final league fixture of 2017.
Going down 3-2 at San Jose Earthquakes on opening weekend, Adrian Heath‘s Loons are winless in their last FOUR MLS fixtures.
When Minnesota United hit the road, we usually get plenty of action with OVER 2.5 GOALS having been scored in the Loons’ last TEN away fixtures in MLS.
One man Orlando City SC have to keep close tabs on this Saturday is somebody else we know plenty about – Kevin Molino.
Scoring a brace in the Loons’ 3-2 loss against Quakes last weekend, the Trinidad and Tobago international has scored NINE MLS goals for Minnesota United since leaving Orlando City SC last year.
Heading into this one, the good news for Orlando City SC is that Minnesota United’s defence is far from watertight!
After all, Adrian Heath‘s Loons have conceded AT LEAST 2 GOALS in their last SEVEN away fixtures in MLS.
With San Jose Earthquakes striker Danny Hoesen bagging a brace against Matt Lampson last weekend, let’s hope Justin Meram, Stéfano Pinho and co can achieve something similar this Saturday evening.
Danny Hoesen opens the scoring against Minnesota United – Highlights – March 3, 2018 (Credit: San Jose Earthquakes)
Staying on the road for a second consecutive game at the start of 2018, recent away form doesn’t make for good reading for Loons supporters.
Minnesota United have lost each of their last THREE road games in Major League Soccer, something Orlando City SC should be looking to take advantage of.
Although our fanbase was joyful at the final whistle against D.C. United, we mustn’t forget that our first-half performance was careless despite the controversial interventions of referee Fotis Bazakos.
Important to get three points on the board early on, there is no room for sentiment against former boss and Orlando City SC icon Adrian Heath.