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A league game on from a desperate 3-0 defeat at Montreal Impact, we now face a home game against guess who? Montreal Impact!
Following that sixth straight morale sapping loss, Orlando City SC called time on Jason Kreis’ time in charge with Bobby Murphy taking the reigns on an interim basis.
It’s felt like an eternity since our last home game at Orlando City Stadium which actually fell nearly a month ago now against Chicago Fire.
The busy fixture congestion of June, not to mention five straight away assignments has taken its toll on this Orlando City SC side who’ve been lacking belief and confidence.
However, reaching the last eight of the 2018 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday thanks to a penalty shootout victory at D.C. United, a turnaround in form could be just around the corner.
After all, a new Lions head coach looks set to be appointed with a special press conference with Alex Leitão scheduled prior to this game on Saturday.
In reality, our next league victory cannot come soon enough with the Lions needing to arrest their downturn as soon as possible to regain belief that we can indeed make the 2018 MLS Cup Playoffs.
Just four points inferior of Orlando City SC in the Eastern Conference right now, Montreal Impact are playing catch up with Rémi Garde struggling for an instant impact in Major League Soccer.
However, the Canadian side will draw huge confidence from their recent 3-0 triumph and clean sheet against Orlando City SC.
2015/18 head-to-head stats
Facing Montreal Impact in our previous MLS fixture, this 3-0 defeat proved a game too far for Jason Kreis.
A sixth straight Major League Soccer loss for the Lions, a terribly sloppy foul by Cristian Higuita handed Impact a fifth minute penalty and all the encouragement they needed in this game.
With goalscoring nemesis Ignacio Piatti making no mistake from the spot, Dom Dwyer‘s free-kick sailed narrowly over the bar in the 43rd minute but the Lions just couldn’t force an equaliser.
Things took a turn for the worst when Amro Tarek deflected a Daniel Lovitz cross into his own goal in the 55th minute.
With a mountain to climb, Orlando City SC had to chase the game and with the Lions’ defence demoralised, Ignacio Piatti beat the offside trap to score his second of the night in stoppage time.
Montreal Impact 3 Orlando City SC 0 – Highlights – June 13, 2018 (Credit: Goal TV)
Montreal Impact’s recent 3-0 win over Orlando City SC leaves them narrowly edging the Lions in this particular game series.
With FOUR victories to Orlando City SC‘s THREE, there is no question that this a must-win game considering the Canadian side are one of the weaker sides in the Eastern Conference.
While this didn’t tell at Saputo Stadium, the dawn of a new era at Orlando City Stadium may just coax extra effort out of the current Lions roster.
After all, there’s plenty to prove to interim head coach Bobby Murphy who is overseeing the team until a full-time successor is hired.
Sebastian Giovinco, Jozy Altidore and Kei Kamara always seem to score against Orlando City SC in MLS and so too does Ignacio Piatti!
Montreal Impact’s Argentine talisman took his tally to FIVE goals in his last THREE league appearances against the Lions thanks to his recent brace.
Orlando City SC will hope history doesn’t repeat itself at Orlando City Stadium this Saturday.
After all, Piatti scored a two-minute brace for Montreal Impact, then coached by Mauro Biello, at Orlando City Stadium in June 2017.
Orlando City SC 3 Montreal Impact 3 – Highlights – June 17, 2017 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
Orlando City SC form
While Orlando City SC‘s six-game winless streak is much publicised, it’s been the manner of our recent defeats that ultimately cost Jason Kreis his job.
Defeated 3-0 at New York City FC, 5-2 at Vancouver Whitecaps and 3-0 at Montreal Impact, the Lions’ have lost with at least a THREE GOAL MARGIN in our last three consecutive MLS fixtures.
Having conceded the joint most amount of goals (31) in all of Major League Soccer prior to the latest round of league fixtures, Orlando City SC are currently on course to match Minnesota United’s league worst record of 70 goals conceded last season.
It’s imperative that both Bobby Murphy and our new head coach prioritise defensive work first with the Lions needing to cultivate a culture of being difficult to beat.
Montreal Impact form
Simply looking at the away form guide, Orlando City SC couldn’t be facing a better opponent to try and turnaround our desperate league form!
Contesting EIGHT away fixtures so far this season, Rémi Garde’s Montreal Impact have lost ALL of those games in a huge boost to Orlando City SC‘s chances.
Nevertheless, with Montreal Impact taking plenty of confidence from their recent 3-0 victory over the Lions, we can’t be taking anything for granted right now.
FC Dallas 2 Montreal Impact 0 – Highlights – June 9, 2018 (Credit: FC Dallas)