Following Orlando City SC’s 1-1 draw at Toronto FC, more MLS action comes thick and fast with the Lions now facing their final double gameweek of 2019.
Now facing a must-win home test against Sporting Kansas City on Wednesday, another away day beckons at Adrian Heath‘s Minnesota United just three days later.
Surrendering late leads has cost Orlando City SC on far too many occasions this season with Patrick Mullins’ 77th minute equaliser cancelling out Benji Michel‘s second-half opener at Toronto FC.
Dropping all three points late at Chicago Fire (1-1), Philadelphia Union (2-2), Portland Timbers (1-1) and now Toronto FC (1-1), Lions supporters can only dream of where we’d be in the Eastern Conference right now without these costly lapses in concentration.
Nevertheless, Orlando City SC still battled well at TFC in a game that lacked real genuine quality from both sides who looked nervous and apprehensive as they both currently sit beneath the red line.
Positively however, last weekend’s results now see Orlando City SC sitting just three points below seventh-placed Montreal Impact who are in free-fall in the East.
With tenth-placed Chicago Fire currently tallying the same amount of points (30) as Orlando City SC, the Men in Red have crucially played a game more (26) that the Lions (25) heading into this latest round of midweek fixtures.
There is simply no room for error from James O’Connor‘s side right now with a home fixture against a struggling Sporting Kansas City side looking a winnable game on paper.
Surprisingly, Peter Vermes’ side have looked a shadow of the team that have reached the MLS Cup Playoffs in the last eight consecutive seasons.
Currently in tenth place in the Western Conference, Orlando City SC simply have to grab all three points in this one and take advantage of possible SKC fatigue travelling down to Central Florida as we look to keep our dreams of reaching the 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs alive.
2015/18 head-to-head stats
Winless in seven games preceding the last meeting between Sporting Kansas City and Orlando City SC, the Lions showed up at Children’s Mercy Park devoid of confidence in September 2018.
Losing five of those seven games, James O’Connor‘s side were on their way to tallying the unenviable statistic of most goals conceded in Major League Soccer history.
Thumped on numerous occasions last season, just one goal separated SKC and the Lions on September 8 with Felipe Gutiérrez’s solitary 53rd minute strike enough to separate the sides at full-time.
Agonisngly, it was the fourth time in six consecutive games that Orlando City SC were defeated by just a single goal.
Sporting Kansas City 1 Orlando City SC 0 – Highlights – September 8, 2018 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
Being a cross-conference opponent, Orlando City SC only face Sporting Kansas City once a season.
Four games deep into this MLS game series, it’s Peter Vermes’ side that hold the narrow advantage of TWO victories to Orlando City SC‘s ONE.
The Lions’ only victory over the Missouri side came way back in our inaugural 2015 campaign where an Adrian Winter brace and Bryan Róchez strike helped earn City a 3-1 victory at the Citrus Bowl.
This victory kick-started a sequence of five consecutive league wins and a late charge towards the MLS Cup Playoffs although Adrian Heath‘s Lions eventually went on to miss out by five points – the second closest points tally we’ve been to the post-season so far.
Whenever Orlando City SC and Sporting Kansas City meet in Major League Soccer, it’s competitive.
Indeed, both teams have scored in THREE of the FOUR league head-to-heads contested so far.
In 2017’s cross-conference meeting, a breathless encounter saw two goals struck in the opening 20 minutes as Cyle Larin cancelled out an early ninth minute opener from Latif Blessing.
With a Kaká goal sending City into the half with a 2-1 lead, unfortunately it was the raw talent of Latif Blessing – now at Los Angeles FC – who stole the show with the impressive Ghanaian equalising in the 74th minute.
Orlando City SC 2 Sporting Kansas City 2 – Highlights – May 13, 2017 (Credit: Sporting Kansas City)
Orlando City SC form
In previous seasons, we’ve grown used to Exploria Stadium being the home of many, many goals. This season however, it’s all change.
There have been UNDER 2.5 GOALS scored in Orlando City SC‘s last THREE home fixtures.
A lot of this can be put down to Orlando City SC‘s improved defensive performances although the Lions have still paid for a lack of cutting edge in attack.
Fortunately, City managed to take their chances when they presented themselves in a keenly contested game against FC Dallas on August 3 with Tesho Akindele and Carlos Ascues goals sealing a hugely important three points.
Orlando City SC 2 FC Dallas 0 – Highlights – August 3, 2019 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
Sporting Kansas City form
Somebody enjoying a hugely successful season despite Sporting Kansas City’s form is Chilean international midfielder Felipe Gutiérrez.
The 28-year-old has been doing his bit to try and boost SKC up the Western Conference standings with ten goals and two assists to his name so far this season.
The experienced former FC Twente and Real Betis man has been extremely handy on the road for Sporting Kansas City of late, scoring in THREE of the Wizards’ last FIVE away fixtures in MLS.
Felipe Gutiérrez scored in recent SKC away day victories at Columbus Crew (0-1), Vancouver Whitecaps (0-3) and Seattle Sounders (2-3) so the City defence, beware.
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For this fixture, Orlando City SC will be deviating from their primary home colours of purple to wear their white secondary jersey instead.
The colour change commemorates ‘Neon Night’ at Exploria Stadium.
Seen a lot of other @MLS clubs wear their alternate jerseys at home over the years. ⚽️@OrlandoCitySC will wear white at home for ‘Neon Night’ against @SportingKC on Wednesday.#ORLvSKC #FaceOfCity #MLSUK pic.twitter.com/xj9H0oz0hQ
— Orlando City UK (@Orlando_CityUK) August 11, 2019