Embed from Getty Images
What a difference a few weeks makes for Orlando City SC! Following a slow start to 2018, Jason Kreis‘ Lions have now won three consecutive fixtures to propel them to fifth in the Eastern Conference following Gameweek 7.
Now facing San Jose Earthquakes of the Western Conference, this home fixture provides the perfect opportunity to carry on the feel-good factor with forward momentum in the overall standings.
Described by Jason Kreis as the most complete performance of the year, there was much to admire about Orlando City SC‘s first shutout victory of the season at Philadelphia Union last time out.
Following a difficult start, Orlando City SC grew into the game and were clinical when they needed to be, handing two huge blows to Union before the half.
Indeed, Dom Dwyer and Chris Mueller‘s strikes were emphatic and from this point on, Philadelphia Union had a mountain to climb.
Unlike Orlando City SC‘s heart-stopping late victories against New York Red Bulls and Portland Timbers, it was reassuring the way in which the Lions controlled the second-half in Chester, Pennsylvania.
Lamine Sané and Amro Tarek are improving with each passing week while Joe Bendik put in the kind of performance that had many screaming for USMNT recognition throughout 2017.
As for our latest opponents San Jose Earthquakes, new Swedish boss Mikael Stahre has enjoyed a frustrating start to life as Quakes head coach.
Winning their opening fixture 3-2 against Minnesota United, the Californian side have managed two losses and two draws since.
However, it’s important to note that San Jose Earthquakes have been in all of these games, narrowly going down 3-2 to Sporting Kansas City and 1-2 to New York City FC.
An interesting byline to this game is the fact Orlando City SC will be trading their iconic purple and gold jerseys for a special black Adidas jersey made from Parley Ocean Plastic™.
With Quakes also wearing a white jersey made from Parley Ocean Plastic™, the temporary colour schemes are paying homage to Earth Day 2018.
2015/17 head-to-head stats
Cast your minds back to May 2017 and Orlando City SC were closing in on a rare away victory when Carlos Rivas put the Lions 0-1 up with just 10 minutes left to play at Avaya Stadium.
Neatly tucking away a pin-point cross from PC, it was a real smart play from the Lions.
The joy of a potential road triumph was short lived however with San Jose Earthquakes legend Chris Wondolowski drawing the hosts level just three minutes later.
Despite the Lions’ offside calls, the veteran forward stabbed home a real poacher’s goal beyond Joe Bendik.
San Jose Earthquakes 1 Orlando City SC 1 – Highlights – May 17, 2018 (Credit: San Jose Earthquakes)
Remarkably, neither Orlando City SC or San Jose Earthquakes have registered a victory against the other to date.
Playing out THREE draws since our debut season in 2015, Orlando City SC were closest to three points in 2016’s emotional fixture at Camping World Stadium.
An occasion that took place following the Orlando nightclub shooting that shook the city six days earlier, much of the action took place in stoppage time.
After Júlio Baptista scored what looked like the winner (2-1) in the 91st minute, Quakes striker Chad Barrett scored with effectively the last kick of the game to tie it up 2-2.
Orlando City SC 2 San Jose Earthquakes 2 – Highlights – June 18, 2016 (Credit: San Jose Earthquakes)
The whole of Major League Soccer knows about Chris Wondolowski’s prolific goalscoring ability, particularly Orlando City SC.
Despite only being in the league since 2015, “Wondo” has scored two goals against the Lions over the three head-to-heads contested so far.
His other strike came in the first ever league meeting between the sides, a 1-1 draw taking place at Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara in May 2015.
San Jose Earthquakes 1 Orlando City SC 1 – Highlights – May 24, 2015 (Credit: San Jose Earthquakes)
Orlando City SC form
Orlando City SC‘s last two home fixtures have been absolutely crazy!
Scoring late to bag all three points against both New York Red Bulls and Portland Timbers, our last THREE home games have now produced OVER 2.5 GOALS.
Although those victories (particularly versus Timbers) were incredibly joyous occasions, you can bet your bottom dollar that Orlando City SC fans would take another win of the Philadelphia Union ilk to keep their heart rates in check!
San Jose Earthquakes form
The good news for Orlando City SC is that San Jose Earthquakes are far from watertight at the back.
Quakes have conceded AT LEAST 2 GOALS in SIX of their last SEVEN Major League Soccer fixtures, a stat leaving them near the foot of the Western Conference following Gameweek 7.
When you look at this fixture on paper, Dom Dwyer and co should be licking their lips at the prospect of raising their goal scoring tallies for the season!