Not even 24 hours after Orlando City SC‘s embarrassing 2-5 home defeat to Chicago Fire on the final day of the 2019 MLS season, the Lions have parted company with head coach James O’Connor.
Contesting 51 Major League Soccer fixtures as City boss (11-27-13), only 11 of these results were victories forcing the Orlando City SC Front Office into immediate action with the post-season having barely begun.
NEWS: Orlando City SC Parts Ways With James O’Connor. https://t.co/AJgplFN5ev
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) October 7, 2019
The search for Orlando City SC‘s fourth full-time head coach entering only our sixth MLS campaign is now underway with the identity of the successor being anybody’s guess right now.
From the outside looking in, the Orlando City SC head coach role now appears to be a poisoned chalice.
Growing desperation
The Lions’ maligned Front Office has now earned a negative reputation for hiring and firing based on the club’s crushing failure to reach the MLS Cup Playoffs in five separate attempts.
With Luiz Muzzi pulling the trigger on James O’Connor‘s time in charge of the club, the pressure is now on the Brazilian to make the most important Orlando City SC coaching hire yet.
On one hand, James O’Connor‘s record of 11 victories isn’t good enough. On the other, he’s only had over one year and one transfer window to turnaround the club’s weak culture.
Some Orlando City SC supporters are beginning to question whether the club’s failings actually reside higher up at boardroom level.
Nevertheless, despite James O’Connor boasting deep ties to the club – much like Adrian Heath – another distinguished Lion has now paid the price for delivering mediocrity on the field.
With James O’Connor only managing to imitate what Adrian Heath and Jason Kreis couldn’t do before him, disillusioned City supporters have grown increasingly desperate and impatient to see a winning product on the field.
With more recent Major League Soccer entrants Atlanta United, Los Angeles FC and even Minnesota United (under the stewardship of Adrian Heath) having reached the post-season before the Lions, this has only exacerbated anguish among City supporters.
No winning mentality
Ultimately, Orlando City SC supporters have been well within their rights to question the footballing decisions being made at Exploria Stadium.
Despite Luiz Muzzi and Ricardo Moreira being added to Orlando City SC‘s backroom staff this season – with some shoots of recovery apparent – the Lions’ capitulation following a 0-1 home loss to Atlanta United on August 23 was hugely disappointing.
Failing to win another league game after their arch rivals secured ANOTHER victory over City, James O’Connor failed to cultivate a winning mentality when it mattered this season.
With no clinical centre forward, an over-reliance on club captain Nani to provide goals and assists, a lack of identity in our playing style at home, and too many surrendered leads on the road, these key factors also contributed to James O’Connor‘s sacking.
Worse still, a lot of results went in Orlando City SC‘s favour heading into the final third of the season (#InTheHunt) but unfortunately, the Lions never stepped on the gas when they needed to.
Not even Orlando City SC‘s deepest U.S. Open Cup run yet (semi-finals) was enough to provide reassurance to the Front Office that City are trending in the right direction.
No back-to-back victories
Looking back at James O’Connor‘s tenure, Orlando City SC‘s failure to put winning streaks together cost the Irishman dearly.
Not securing back-to-back victories all season long, even failed City boss Jason Kreis managed to achieve this feat, most notably securing a club record of six straight victories between March to May 2018.
Furthermore, a failure to win ELEVEN of our SEVENTEEN home fixtures at Exploria Stadium this season is simply not good enough for a side harbouring ambitions to reach the post-season.
For footballing reasons alone, James O’Connor‘s firing cannot be considered a total surprise.
Thank you James
A coach on the up having achieved success with USL side Louisville City, Orlando City SC‘s hiring of James O’Connor was fuelled by nostalgia and an attempt from the Front Office to appeal to the hearts of the long-time supporters of the club.
Coaching the Lions for 466 days in total, Orlando City UK would like to take this moment to say thank you to James O’Connor for all his efforts since arriving in Central Florida in June 2018.
Incredibly passionate about Orlando City SC, to which we have no doubt, it’s a real shame James O’Connor‘s tenure didn’t work out.
On behalf of #OrlandoCityUK, we want to thank James O’Connor for all his efforts with @OrlandoCitySC as head coach. 🦁🇬🇧
A real shame this didn’t work out. 😔
We’ll have a Twitter Reacts article & reaction video coming 🔜! 🎥#FaceOfCity #MLSUK pic.twitter.com/bSbhSS5WcT
— Orlando City UK (@Orlando_CityUK) October 7, 2019
NEW #OrlandoCityUK video 🎥 | Here is my reaction to news of @OrlandoCitySC firing James O’Connor today. 🦁
What are YOU making of the news? Right or wrong decision? 🤔 Comment below! 🗣⬇️#OCSC #FaceOfCity #MLSUK pic.twitter.com/6ziVT8gOtH
— Orlando City UK (@Orlando_CityUK) October 7, 2019
The fans’ view
Following news of James O’Connor’s exit earlier today, Orlando City UK gathered the best of what Lions supporters are saying on Twitter.
What coach would come here when they know they only get two years max? It takes multiple transfer windows, multiple seasons for a coach to be able to fulfill their vision. (See: Heath in MN) Our front office is a complete disgrace. Get Flavio and Leitao out of my club.
— Brian (@ORLtragic) October 7, 2019
I was all for him and I think he’s a good coach but just not at MLS level. It’s not all on him but those last 10 games of the season were shocking, no back to back wins, questionable subs and tactics. Sacking isn’t always the answer but I feel we need a clean slate at all levels https://t.co/aZ3Oc8VTwB
— Charlotte (@KirbyHazard) October 7, 2019
This will only hurt us you fools. Give a manager some time. Rebuilding one of the worse teams in the league doesn’t happen over night. Now to restart again 😒😒
— Vipez🦁⚽️ (@VipezEk) October 7, 2019
Was James O’Connor the entire problem? No.
But 14 wins in 57 games… if you are surprised he has been fired then you are a very naive soccerball fan. #FaceofCity | #MLSUK🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/DxUziAuvR1
— Elliot Holman (@ElliotHolman) October 7, 2019
He seemed to be making improvements, especially on defense. Was hoping this offseason would help resolve the inability to find the net, which was almost laughably bad yesterday. Not sure where they go from here.
— Dan Dixon (@dandixon95) October 7, 2019
Not surprised, some uninspiring performances towards the end of the season and another year without reaching the playoffs!#FaceOfCity #OCSC #OCTwitter @Orlando_CityUK https://t.co/tnsuS6JJmA
— Harry Salvidge (@H_Salvidge14) October 7, 2019
he’ll be the head coach of some playoff team like inchy is in a few years.
— chase crowley (@ChaseWCrowley) October 7, 2019
The current ownership has sadly destroyed all the momentum and excitement this team worked so hard to create when they came into the MLS.
— archie (@archiew34) October 7, 2019
Typical professional sports decision. Players gave up second half of the season. Too bad due to contracts you can’t fire all of them.
— Bradley Evans (@bharperevans) October 7, 2019
Bet he will be in the playoffs in 3 years while we’re rebuilding for the 7th time 🤦🏻♂️
— Brandon 🐝 (@BrandoKnightro) October 7, 2019
The man instilled a culture this team needed. I can deal with not making the playoffs this year but the inclusiveness was key. Now what. Im hoping we already have someone lined up. pic.twitter.com/h1i0C6P9Yq
— ESCŌ (@PRPL_ORLANDOAN) October 7, 2019
Literally one of the worst decisions y'all ever done.
JOC only had 2 years. Wow.— Corey (@CooorrreyLaine) October 7, 2019
all these people mad about this sacking like the team was anywhere near decent this year smh. How about we strive for better and actually hire a proven manager?
— Dale (@daleh1809) October 7, 2019