Following Orlando City SC‘s triumphant penalty shootout victory against New York City FC in the 2019 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, James O’Connor‘s Lions face yet another quick turnaround for their home MLS encounter with Columbus Crew.
Taking on Caleb Porter’s side for the second time in only fifteen days, Orlando City SC will take great heart from their professional 0-2 win at MAPFRE Stadium back on June 29.
Taking full advantage of Crew missing several key players on that night, notably Harrison Afful, Federico Higuaín, Jonathan Mensah, Wil Trapp and Gyasi Zardes, the Lions will be hoping for another victory here.
Morale is high right now with Orlando City SC battling to a hard-earned point at Eastern Conference leaders Philadelphia Union last Sunday before digging deep to overcome New York City FC on penalties (1-1 A.E.T) to reach a first ever Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup semi-final.
James O’Connor deserves huge credit for the discipline and defensive improvement he’s instilled in this 2019 Orlando City SC roster with the Lions barely disgraced in any game so far at the midway stage of the campaign.
Currently negotiating an overcrowded mid-season with the Lions contesting a gruelling 9 games in just 32 days, every squad member has dug deep to keep both our cup and league ambitions alive.
With performances Orlando City SC supporters can be incredibly proud of and encouraged by of late, this game against Columbus Crew is crucial for our hopes of reaching the 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs.
Currently five points behind the Lions in the Eastern Conference standings and having played a game more, a victory here could put even more distance between Orlando City SC and the Crew as we hunt down a place above the red line.
Another footnote to this encounter is that Robinho will be ineligible to face his former side due to the terms of his trade from Columbus Crew on Thursday.
2015/19 head-to-head stats
Last facing Columbus Crew only two Saturdays ago, Orlando City SC grew into the game steadily before seizing control in a professional 0-2 victory at MAPFRE Stadium.
Paying the price for a lack of clinical finishing in games leading up to this encounter, Orlando City SC crucially took their chances when they presented themselves through Chris Mueller and Tesho Akindele.
With Mueller’s prodded strike coming just before half-time, it was a crucial period of the game to score with the Lions bossing proceedings in the second-half following some intense Crew pressure immediately before the break.
Columbus Crew 0 Orlando City SC 2 – Highlights – June 29, 2019 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
Orlando City SC has been turning the tide in this game series having won the last two MLS head-to-heads.
Whenever the Lions play Crew, there is a real intensity and chippy element to these games with no love lost between both sets of supporters.
With Columbus Crew still holding a two-win advantage over City, Orlando City SC can bring that to within one with victory here.
The last time the Black & Gold visited Central Florida was back in October 2018 where a stoppage time penalty from Sacha Kljestan earned Orlando City SC their first league victory in 99 days!
Orlando City SC 2 Columbus Crew 1 – Highlights – October 21, 2018 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
Defeating Columbus Crew in two of the last three head-to-heads in Major League Soccer, it could’ve almost been three had it not been for a horrific refereeing decision in July 2018’s 3-2 loss.
Scoring TWO goals past Crew in each of the last THREE league meetings, the Ohio side just haven’t managed to keep the Lions off the scoresheet.
With Orlando City SC currently handling so many games in such a short period of time, some rotation will be required for this encounter but there is nothing to fear in terms of the struggling opposition.
Orlando City SC form
Rule one in Major League Soccer? Win your home games!
Given the vast distances travelled on the road, good home form is fundamental for any side aiming to reach the MLS Cup Playoffs.
The harsh reality for Orlando City SC right now is that we’ve been too much of a soft touch at Exploria Stadium all season long.
Only winning THREE of our NINE home fixtures in MLS so far this season, James O’Connor‘s side have lost THREE of our last FOUR league games at Exploria Stadium.
This form simply has to improve if Orlando City SC are to stand any chance of reaching the post-season.
Columbus Crew form
And what better opposition to kick-start an improved home streak than Columbus Crew?
Losing SEVEN of their EIGHT away fixtures in Major League Soccer this season, Caleb Porter’s side actually won their first road game 0-2 at New England Revolution back on March 9.
Since then however, it’s been a miserable time for Crew with the Black & Gold losing their last three away games by a single goal at Minnesota United (1-0), Colorado Rapids (3-2) and Real Salt Lake (1-0).
Real Salt Lake 1 Columbus Crew 0 – Highlights – July 3, 2019 (Credit: Major League Soccer)