After a valiant, yet frustrating 2-2 draw against runaway Western Conference leaders Los Angeles FC, Orlando City SC face a must-win home game against New England Revolution.
Just four points behind seventh-placed Revs with four games to play, James O’Connor‘s side simply must grab all three points to keep their hopes of reaching the 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs alive.
Dropping 12 points from winning positions on the road – the second most in MLS – heading into last Saturday’s game, dropping another lead and two points to LAFC really stung.
Despite Los Angeles FC being by far and away the best side in Major League Soccer, the game seemed like a real opportunity missed with captain and talisman Carlos Vela absent through injury.
Successfully overturning Adrien Perez’s twelfth-minute opener with first-half responses from Nani and Benji Michel, Orlando City SC had opportunities to grab a third killer goal.
Controversially, Uri Rosell‘s 57th minute goal was ruled out when referee Alan Kelly adjudged Benji Michel to have knocked Tyler Miller off balance from a cross in the build-up.
With replays confirming the contact was minimal, Santiago Patiño hit the post 20 minutes later with the Lions unable to earn a crucial two-goal cushion.
With Adama Diomande picking apart the Orlando City SC defence to set up Diego Rossi who rounded Brian Rowe to equalise in the 82nd minute, City held on for a respectable, yet disappointing draw.
Crucially, New England Revolution conceded a last minute penalty to New York City FC last Saturday going down 2-1 with the Foxborough-based side still just within Orlando City SC‘s reach.
Only the second league loss of Bruce Arena’s reign since succeeding Brad Friedel in May 2019, New England Revolution have been a franchise transformed under the stewardship of the experienced former United States head coach.
With New England Revolution having crucially played a game less (29) than Orlando City SC (30) too, only a win will do against a side in direct competition to reach the post-season.
2015/19 head-to-head stats
Orlando City SC have been disgraced on far fewer occasions in 2019 compared to 2018 – a testament to the huge defensive improvements under James O’Connor.
However, July’s 4-1 thrashing at New England Revolution was a real bad day at the office with Gustavo Bou’s goal putting the Lions on the back foot as early as the third minute.
With Cristian Penilla, Carles Gil and Diego Fagúndez goals putting the home side 4-0 up by the 75th minute, Tesho Akindele‘s well worked 77th minute strike was mere consolation on a hugely forgettable day at Gillette Stadium.
New England Revolution 4 Orlando City SC 1 – Highlights – July 27, 2019 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
Now ten games deep into this Major League Soccer game series, it’s New England Revolution who hold a two-win advantage over Orlando City SC.
With FOUR victories to the Lions’ TWO, this fixture often provides draws with FOUR being played out since 2015.
The last time Orlando City SC defeated Revs was actually in this year’s Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup where extra-time strikes by Benji Michel and Tesho Akindele helped the Lions to a 2-1 victory and a place in the quarter-finals.
Orlando City SC 2 New England Revolution 1 (A.E.T.) – Highlights – June 19, 2019 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
With Cristian Penilla scoring fifteen goals in his New England Revolution career so far, THREE of these have come against Orlando City SC.
The twice-capped Ecuador international has actually scored these goals in the last THREE consecutive MLS head-to-heads with the 28-year-old a real thorn in Orlando City SC‘s side.
If deployed in his favoured position of left wing by Bruce Arena, it will be a huge battle of pace between Cristian Penilla and fellow speed merchant Ruan.
Orlando City SC form
Despite the rear neckline of Orlando City SC‘s 2019 home jersey stating “Defend The Fortress”, the Lions’ 2019 home record has been far too ordinary.
Winning SIX of FIFTEEN home fixtures in Major League Soccer this season, Orlando City SC have been too much of a soft touch, lacking real identity in their play to get after their opposition in the Central Florida heat.
With just two home games to go – both this fixture against New England Revolution plus Chicago Fire on MLS Decision Day 2019 – these are must-win games plus the two remaining road trips to Houston Dynamo and FC Cincinnati.
Orlando City SC 2 Los Angeles FC 2 – Highlights – September 7, 2019 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
New England Revolution form
As mentioned at the outset, Bruce Arena has been a breath of fresh air for the New England Revolution franchise.
Infamously the head coach who failed to reach the 2018 FIFA World Cup with the USMNT, Arena has worked hard to piece together his tarnished reputation ever since.
Taking over from Brad Friedel and in the dugout since a June 1-2 victory over LA Galaxy – ironically his former side – Revs are actually undefeated in FIFTEEN of their last SEVENTEEN MLS fixtures, fourteen of these under Arena’s watch.
City 3-1 Revs