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A week on from our fourth round triumph, Orlando City SC fill the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup break with another 2019 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup fixture, this time a Round of Last 16 tie against New England Revolution.
After completing a professional job to defeat USL Championship side Memphis 901 FC 1-3 last Wednesday, morale is high right now with that result following a superb 0-3 MLS win at Montreal Impact.
While Orlando City SC supporters can’t afford to get too carried away with their recent form, it’s becoming far clearer how James O’Connor is stamping his mark on this Lions side.
As we approach the halfway point of the season, we’re beginning to see a more possession-based style of play.
Indeed, in Orlando City SC‘s recent performances against FC Cincinnati, LA Galaxy and Memphis 901 FC, the Lions bossed possession by 61%, 57% and 65% respectively.
Despite having less possession (48%) than Montreal Impact (52%) in our last MLS fixture, Orlando City SC bossed large portions of the first-half with fantastic technical ability and quick passes leading to Will Johnson‘s header that made it 0-3.
In short, we’re starting to see visible signs of a plan coming together with Orlando City SC having struggled to find their identity since entering Major League Soccer.
Now contesting the first cup game at Exploria Stadium in four fixtures, it’s imperative that season ticket holders and others take advantage of discounted tickets and show up for this huge opportunity to reach a second successive quarter-final.
As for our opponents New England Revolution, new head coach Bruce Arena has wasted no time in making his experience count with the Foxborough-based side.
Winning both his games in charge so far, Arena led Revs to an impressive 1-2 victory at his former side LA Galaxy on June 3 before a hugely dramatic 2-3 (A.E.T) Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup comeback triumph over New York Red Bulls last week.
With the wily 67-year-old now in charge of what was a struggling franchise under Brad Friedel, Orlando City SC‘s task of reaching another quarter-final has been made that bit tougher.
2015/18 head-to-head stats
Technically speaking, Orlando City SC last faced New England Revolution in February, defeating Revs 6-2 to win the inaugural Orlando City Invitational pre-season tournament.
Competitively speaking, the last time Orlando City SC faced New England Revolution was back in October 2018 when the Lions were defeated 2-0 at Gillette Stadium.
Travelling to Foxborough, Massachusetts without several key players through international call-ups and injury, Orlando City SC couldn’t arrest their depressing slump heading into a hollow final month of the 2018 season.
With Cristian Penilla and Diego Fagúndez goals doing the damage on the night, this was our 20th league loss in a disastrous campaign.
New England Revolution 2 Orlando City SC 0 – Highlights – October 13, 2018 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
Yet to face New England Revolution in Major League Soccer this season, the Revs have been a familiar foe down the years given their Eastern Conference status.
Nine games deep in league play, both sides have enjoyed success with the Gillette Stadium-based side slightly edging the series thanks to their 2-0 win in October 2018.
Whenever these sides meet, it seems to rain goals with 19 goals scored in the last four MLS meetings alone.
Thumping New England Revolution by six goals at home on two occasions previously, both in September 2017 (6-1, MLS) and February 2019 (6-2, Orlando City Invitational), Lions supporters will settle for any win to reach a second successive cup quarter-final.
Orlando City SC 6 New England Revolution 1 – Highlights – September 27, 2017 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
Upon closer examination, the home side has never been defeated in the NINE Major League Soccer head-to-heads contested since 2015.
Home advantage has been something that Orlando City SC haven’t really grasped with both hands in quite some time but our recent performances suggest we can get back on track.
Since this is the first Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup fixture taking place at Exploria Stadium since our shock exit to Miami FC (1-3) where the Lions met an inspired Stéfano Pinho in June 2017, it’s imperative that the supporters show up.
With tickets available for as little as $10 for Orlando City SC season ticket holders and $15 for general admission, not to mention food and beverages being reduced for this occasion too, it’s vital that a big crowd shows up and supports the team in this huge opportunity to reach the next stage.
Orlando City SC form
He didn’t travel and wasn’t part of the squad for Orlando City SC‘s fourth round triumph at Memphis 901 FC but the expectation is that Nani will be a part of the side to face New England Revolution.
Scoring in THREE of Orlando City SC‘s last FIVE home fixtures in MLS, the Portuguese superstar has tallied up FOUR goals in that streak.
As we saw in the fourth round, Major League Soccer sides aren’t disrespecting the competition in the slightest with the likes of Carlos Vela and Wayne Rooney starting for Los Angeles FC and D.C. United last week.
If Nani does figure in the staring eleven, he must be one of no more than five international players listed on the Orlando City SC team sheet with U.S. Open Cup rules enforcing these regulations.
New England Revolution form
Losing five of their first seven Major League Soccer fixtures this season, Brad Friedel struggled in charge of New England Revolution and ultimately was relieved of his duties back on May 9.
Finishing his first ever stint as a full-time head coach with a 12-21-13 record for Revs, the club have experienced an upturn in fortunes following his exit.
While we mentioned that Friedel’s successor Bruce Arena has won both his games in charge so far, interim head coach Mike Lapper kick-started positive momentum back on May 11 with a 3-1 home win over San Jose Earthquakes.
That win ignited an improved streak with New England Revolution undefeated in their last FIVE consecutive fixtures including the recent fourth round win over New York Red Bulls.
The Lions will have to keep close tabs on Teal Bunbury who struck a brace in that game with the 29-year-old having hurt Orlando City SC in the past.
New York Red Bulls 2 (2) England Revolution 2 (3) (A.E.T) – Highlights – June 11, 2019 (Credit: Major League Soccer)