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Despite taking the lead three times at LA Galaxy last weekend, Orlando City SC still ended up pointless after an inspired hat-trick from Zlatan Ibrahimovic stole the show 4-3.
With many writing off the Lions’ chances heading to StubHub Center, it was a real valiant effort from James O’Connor‘s side who outplayed the hosts in spells with several free-flowing moves.
Still agonisingly having nothing to show for our efforts, Orlando City SC have a chance to put that right against New England Revolution at Orlando City Stadium this Saturday.
Form wise, Brad Friedel’s Revs are travelling down to Central Florida in bad shape having lost their last THREE consecutive MLS fixtures.
Perilously sitting above the Eastern Conference red line by just a single point following last weekend’s action, New England Revolution have enjoyed a positive season under the inexperienced Friedel.
The Massachusetts-based side had only lost FOUR of their first eighteen games this season before coming unstuck in a busy schedule that saw them lose their last three consecutive league fixtures within just 8 days.
On paper, this looks the perfect opportunity for Orlando City SC to get back to winning ways with Orlando City Stadium still drawing over 23,000 spectators for the recent home games against Toronto FC and New York City FC.
With the supporters still turning out on mass and the Lions playing with less fear since James O’Connor took the helm, we just have to take it game by game and see where we end up right now.
Crucially taking the lead in THREE of the FIVE games the Irishman has managed so far, Orlando City SC are now giving themselves a far better chance of stealing league points.
2015/17 head-to-head stats
The last time Orlando City SC faced New England Revolution, Orlando City UK were in attendance to watch the Lions’ biggest ever victory in Major League Soccer to date.
Thumping Revs 6-1 who were being managed by Tom Soehn on an interim basis following Jap Heaps’ exit, it was a sheer delight to watch.
With Antonio Nocerino, Seb Hines, Dom Dwyer and Yoshimar Yotún all getting on the scoresheet, Kaká also bagged his final two strikes as a Lion, the first of which was a wonderful long range effort to put us into a 3-0 lead by the 43rd minute.
Orlando City SC 6 New England Revolution 1 – Highlights – September 27, 2017 (Credit: New England Revolution)
Orlando City SC drew this game series level courtesy of that rousing 6-1 victory back in September!
With complete mirror imagery across the wins, draws and losses spectrum, this game represents a fantastic chance for Orlando City SC to get back to winning ways given Revs’ recent form.
While the Lions have just completed the long-haul trip from California, losing three in a row isn’t easy (just ask us!) so confidence among the New England Revolution roster may be damaged.
This particular game series is absolutely crazy! Why?
Because we have witnessed FOUR OR MORE goals being scored in every single MLS head-to-head so far apart from a single encounter in September 2015.
And even then, this was a 3-0 victory for New England Revolution so whatever the reason, both defences seem to go AWOL when Orlando City SC and New England Revolution take the field.
We’re becoming harder to beat and that’s a huge positive for James O’Connor and his coaching staff to be proud of.
Granted, we’re all miserable at the fact we’ve still lost FIVE of the SIX games O’Connor has coached so far (including the 2018 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup defeat at Philadelphia Union) but we’ve been far more competitive recently.
Losing out to Columbus Crew (3-2) and LA Galaxy (4-3) and defeating Toronto FC 2-1, recent Orlando City SC fixtures are becoming far tighter and that appears to be a testament to the fight and spirit O’Connor has instilled in the team.
That said, we’ll have to work even harder defensively with lapses and a lack of concentration on the backline still meaning we have nothing to show for our efforts.
LA Galaxy 4 Orlando City SC 3 – Highlights – July 29, 2018 (Credit: LA Galaxy)
New England Revolution form
As discussed throughout this preview, New England Revolution head to Central Florida in the middle of their worst rut of the season so far.
Losing THREE consecutive MLS fixtures to LA Galaxy (2-3), Minnesota United (2-1) and New York Red Bulls (2-0), all these results took place within just an 8-day period!
With July always a really busy period of the Major League Soccer schedule, let’s all hope Revs don’t snap out of their mid-season funk just yet!
New York Red Bulls 2 New England Revolution 0 – Highlights – July 21, 2018 (Credit: New York Red Bulls)