Embed from Getty Images
And so our unbeaten streak this season ended at six games! Going down 1-2 to bitter rivals Atlanta United last time out, there’s no need to feel defeatist however.
Running the Eastern Conference leaders close yet again, there was no doubt The Five Stripes deserved their victory but nobody should be pressing the panic button right now.
When Justin Meram pegged Atlanta United back with his goal in the 57th minute, there were good spells of City pressure but Jason Kreis‘ men never truly kicked into fifth gear against what is clearly one of the most talented rosters in all of Major League Soccer.
Now facing 2017 MLS Cup champions Toronto FC at BMO Field, this game provides yet another marker of how far Orlando City SC have come in 2018 and whether we have the stomach to pick up road points at one of our least favourite venues
Granted, Toronto FC’s 2018 MLS campaign has been poor given their controversial prioritisation of the CONCACAF Champions League. Even since the second-leg of the final on April 25th, results haven’t really picked up for Greg Vanney’s men.
Despite TFC losing 1-2 to Seattle Sounders and 3-2 to New England Revolution in their last two outings, Orlando City SC have only picked up a single point from BMO Field in four separate attempts.
The Lions do head into this fixture with the huge boost of Sebastian Giovinco and Jozy Altidore both missing this game.
Giovinco is suspended after his red card in the loss to Revs last weekend and Jozy Altidore is out with a foot injury. Considering the Italian and American forwards have scored eight and six career goals against Orlando City SC, this is a massive plus.
As for ourselves, Orlando City SC now embark on a stretch of games without influential Peruvian midfielder Yoshimar Yotún who is suspended from this fixture due to yellow card accumulation.
With Yotún soon heading to the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia with Los Incas afterwards, Spanish winter acquisition Uri Rosell will now have to step up in his place alongside the tough tackling Cristian Higuita.
2015/17 head-to-head stats
Last facing Toronto FC in the summer of 2017, Greg Vanney’s men were an extremely difficult proposition on their way to eventual 2017 MLS Cup glory.
Running out 1-3 victors at Orlando City Stadium, a goal from Jozy Altidore and two from Sebastian Giovinco (who else!) helped seal a convincing away victory for the Canadian side.
Orlando City SC 1 Toronto FC 3 – Highlights – July 5, 2017 (Credit: Toronto FC)
There’s no way of sugarcoating it; Orlando City SC just hate going up against Toronto FC.
Only defeating The Reds once in eight separate attempts so far, Greg Vanney’s men are way out in front in this particular game series.
Orlando City SC‘s single victory came back in the 2016 season when a 110th minute stoppage time penalty from Kaká was the last kick of an enthralling 3-2 triumph at Camping World Stadium.
Orlando City SC 3 Toronto FC 2 – Highlights – June 25, 2016 (Credit: Toronto FC)
Toronto FC form
Toronto FC have been involved in some thrilling high scoring fixtures of late.
With OVER 2.5 GOALS being scored in TFC’s last FIVE Major League Soccer games, this game would well prove a goal fest with Orlando City SC often involved in high scoring games themselves.
While Greg Vanney dabbled with reinforcements from Toronto FC II earlier in the season during their CONCACAF Champions League run, the elder statesmen are now back in the lineup following that competition.
A big positive for Orlando City SC heading into his one is the fact Toronto FC have been conceding lots of goals recently.
With TFC conceding AT LEAST TWO GOALS in FIVE of their last SIX Major League Soccer fixtures, a constantly changing centre back partnership hasn’t helped The Reds, fielded due to both injuries and CONCACAF Champions League commitments.
With Nick Hagglund, Drew Moor, Chris Mavinga and Eriq Zavaleta all missing with injuries recently, Michael Bradley has been forced to play out of position at centre half.
Orlando City SC form
With three goals shared between Orlando City SC and Atlanta United last time out, this contributed to OVER 2.5 GOALS having now been scored in SIX of the Lions’ last SEVEN MLS fixtures.
With Joe Bendik keeping just a single clean sheet so far in 2018, the Lions truly need to stop giving themselves a mountain to climb by conceding the first goal, something that has happened in our last three consecutive games.
Orlando City SC 1 Atlanta United 2 – Highlights – May 13, 2018 (Credit: Atlanta United FC)