Following a really disappointing 1-1 draw at the Eastern Conference’s bottom side FC Cincinnati, Orlando City SC are now eliminated from contention to reach the 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs.
Now facing Chicago Fire at home in a meaningless 2019 MLS Decision Day fixture, it’s still important for James O’Connor‘s side to put in a professional performance to prove to City supporters they care heading into 2020.
A campaign that promised much but again delivered very little, Orlando City SC supporters can take some comfort from a vastly improved defensive improvement and a deep U.S. Open Cup run in 2019.
Nevertheless, the lack of a clinical goalscorer, the lack of a clear identity at home and an inability to hold onto leads leaves Orlando City SC in the same position (11th) as last season, standings wise.
Handing supporters hope of reaching the post-season far deeper into the campaign this time around (#InTheHunt), there are some shoots of recovery.
In Nani, Orlando City SC have a talented leader who has contributed a new team record in single season goal involvements this campaign (21).
Elsewhere, the signings of Tesho Akindele, Robin Jansson, Jhegson Méndez and Ruan have been particularly astute, not to mention great hopes for mid-season addition Mauricio Pereyra in 2020.
All signed under the guidance of new Executive Vice President of Soccer Operations, Luiz Muzzi, and Director of Scouting and Recruitment, Ricardo Moreira, this Front Office shake up is righting the wrongs of infamous predecessor Niki Budalic.
All of this said, Orlando City SC‘s failure to reach the MLS Cup Playoffs in their first five seasons is a crippling statistic, one that haunts the Lions’ passionate fanbase everyday.
With each passing season that City fail to reach the post-season, more pressure mounts on majority owner Flávio Augusto da Silva and the rest of the club’s backroom staff to deliver a winning product on the field – and draw disillusioned fans back to Exploria Stadium in turn.
If our current predicament wasn’t already challenging enough, David Beckham’s Inter Miami enter Major League Soccer in 2020.
If our soon-to-be Florida rivals achieve instant success at the Lions’ expense, the external scrutiny of Orlando City SC and internal feelings of the City fanbase could fuel an extremely toxic situation.
2015/19 head-to-head stats
Orlando City SC last faced Chicago Fire in the Lions’ first away game of the season on March 9.
On a cold and overcast day at SeatGeek Stadium, James O’Connor‘s side started the second-half in the best way possible following a goalless first 45 minutes.
With Dom Dwyer catching both Marcelo and Johan Kappelhof sleeping to stab home a Nani assist in the 47th minute, it was looking like a perfect disciplined performance on the road.
As has proved the case so many times this season however, Orlando City SC surrendered their lead.
On this occasion, it was a costly lapse in concentration from Shane O’Neill who left C.J. Sapong unmarked and unchallenged in the box as the Fire striker equalised at the death in the 95th minute.
Chicago Fire 1 Orlando City SC 1 – Highlights – March 9, 2019 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
Ten games into this Eastern Conference game series and it’s Chicago Fire who hold a one win advantage over Orlando City SC.
However, when the Men in Red face the Lions, we usually get draws with half of the ten league meetings ending in ties.
Despite another Orlando City SC campaign ending in disappointment, James O’Connor will hope his Lions side can at least send supporters away from Exploria Stadium hopeful heading into the off-season.
Most worrying of all, Chicago Fire have turned into something of a bogey side for Orlando City SC despite being widely viewed as one of the Eastern Conference’s weaker franchises.
Veljko Paunović’s side are unbeaten in their last SEVEN MLS head-to-heads with Orlando City SC, winning THREE of these games and drawing FOUR.
In the penultimate league meeting between the sides, Orlando City SC put in arguably their limpest performance of 2018 with Chicago Fire punishing the Lions 4-0 in September 2018.
Chicago Fire 4 Orlando City SC 0 – Highlights – September 16, 2018 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
Orlando City SC form
Ultimately, Orlando City SC simply haven’t won enough home fixtures to maintain a solid push to reach the 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs.
Failing to win TEN of our SIXTEEN home fixtures this season, James O’Connor‘s side have suffered SEVEN home defeats – way too many to expect to participate in the post-season.
Giving ourselves way too much work to do on the road, Orlando City SC need to dig deep to make Exploria Stadium a fortress next season.
Despite home gates falling, The Wall has been as vociferous as always this year, even in our lowest moments, so there are no excuses to improve our average home form in 2020.
Chicago Fire form
If ever there was a stat to encourage Orlando City SC heading into a home fixture, this is it.
Indeed, Chicago Fire have failed to win FIFTEEN of their SIXTEEN away fixtures in Major League Soccer this season.
Winning just ONE road game all season long, this came at Houston Dynamo (0-1) back on August 3 with Nemanja Nikolić scoring the only goal.
In their last away game, Chicago Fire played out a 0-0 draw with Eastern Conference basement boys FC Cincinnati at Nippert Stadium – two crucial points dropped in their late bid to reach the 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs.
FC Cincinnati 0 Chicago Fire 0 – Highlights – September 21, 2019 (Credit: Major League Soccer)