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Following 25 days without a league game, Orlando City SC return to MLS action against D.C. United at Audi Field in the second and final head-to-head of the 2019 season.
Since our brilliant 0-3 win at Montreal Impact on June 1, the Lions have successfully navigated their way to the quarter-final stage of the 2019 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup with two gutsy victories against Memphis 901 FC and New England Revolution.
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Stringing three important victories together so far this June, James O’Connor‘s side have hit their stride at an important stage of the season.
Considering Orlando City SC will now contest nine games over the next 32 days including the cup quarter-final against New York City FC, they are entering the busiest stage of the season with high morale.
In previous Major League Soccer campaigns, Orlando City SC‘s form has taken a nosedive when entering the fixture congestion of June and July.
Not boasting enough strength in depth to handle an overcrowded summer schedule previously, Orlando City SC appear better equipped this time around but double gameweeks and the fatigue of increased long-haul travel tests the mettle of any team.
With the mid-season sorting the men out from the boys in Major League Soccer, it’s vital Orlando City SC begin this tough run with a positive result at D.C. United.
Last visiting the District of Columbia in August 2018, Orlando City SC will be out to avenge that crushing 3-2 defeat not to mention the 1-2 home loss to D.C. United earlier this March.
With Wayne Rooney scoring a stunning free-kick following a controversial call for an alleged foul on the Englishman from Dom Dwyer, James O’Connor‘s side did more than enough to earn at least a point from this fixture.
Pushing the Black and Red real close during our last two MLS meetings, it’s time Orlando City SC went one better this time around and manage to turn zero points into tangible reward.
As for D.C. United themselves, Ben Olsen’s side similarly played their last league game back on June 1 but faired worse in the 2019 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
Defeating Philadelphia Union 2-1 (A.E.T) in the fourth round, the Washington side were dumped out by New York City FC (1-2) in the Round of Last 16 stage on June 19.
2015/19 head-to-head stats
Last facing each other back in March, the full-time whistle blew with Orlando City SC players and supporters scratching their heads as to how they finished the game pointless.
Orlando City SC were facing a mountain to climb as early as the 30th minute with D.C. United racing into a 0-2 lead courtesy of Steve Birnbaum header and a curling free-kick from a seemingly impossible angle by Wayne Rooney.
The game’s major controversy took place prior to that Rooney free-kick however.
Referee Armando Villareal adjudged that Dom Dwyer illegally endangered the safety of Wayne Rooney by the nearside corner flag beside The Wall – a decision interpreted multiple ways and debated for hours after the game.
Additionally, Rooney appeared to take the free-kick from a more favourable position compared to where the foul actually took place.
Orlando City SC rallied however and produced a much-improved second-half performance with Dom Dwyer‘s 63rd minute goal preceding an impressive onslaught with Chris Mueller hitting Bill Hamid’s post with a stoppage time header.
Orlando City SC 1 D.C. United 2 – Highlights – March 31, 2019 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
Ten games deep into this Major League Soccer game series, D.C. United are slightly edging Orlando City SC with FIVE victories to the Lions’ FOUR.
When these sides meet, there is usually one winner with only one draw played out to date.
That tie came back in the very first game of the 2018 MLS season as a Stéfano Pinho stoppage time equaliser saved Orlando City SC‘s blushes on opening day (1-1).
As we mentioned at the outset, Orlando City SC have pushed D.C. United real close in the previous two Major League Soccer meetings.
When taking the last FOUR head-to-heads into account, THREE of these games have been separated by ONE GOAL.
Defeated 1-2 at Exploria Stadium earlier this season, Orlando City SC were beaten 3-2 at Audi Field last August but won 1-2 at D.C. United’s former home RFK Stadium in September 2017.
As you may remember, Cyle Larin and Giles Barnes goals helped seal the road win, even more impressive considering the Lions finished the game with nine men following red cards for Servando Carrasco and Seb Hines.
D.C. United 3 Orlando City SC 2 – Highlights – August 12, 2018 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
D.C. United form
Winning SEVEN of their first TWELVE league fixtures this season, D.C. United’s fast start slowed down considerably throughout May.
Drawing FOUR of their last FIVE games, most recently a disappointing 1-1 tie with San Jose Earthquakes, the Black and Red’s once watertight defence is now looking far more vulnerable.
Still boasting two of the most dangerous players in all of MLS in Wayne Rooney and Luciano Acosta, this will still be a mightily tough test for Orlando City SC.
Thankfully, key winger Paul Arriola will miss this game due to his commitments with the United States at the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
D.C. United 1 San Jose Earthquakes 1 – Highlights – June 1, 2019 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
Orlando City SC form
Reassuringly, Orlando City SC haven’t been made to look foolish on the road so far this season.
With the exception of a rather lacklustre 2-1 defeat at Real Salt Lake on April 13, Orlando City SC have put in determined performances away from home, albeit blunt in attack at times.
Indeed, FOUR of Orlando City SC‘s SEVEN away fixtures this season have been separated by ONE GOAL.
With plenty of effort in 1-0 defeats to rivals Atlanta United and Seattle Sounders, it’s crucial we convert our chances with some tangible reward for what our performances deserved, particularly the sore one-goal loss at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.