Now five years into our Major League Soccer journey, that’s been more than enough time for The Wall and Orlando City SC supporters to learn exactly who to despise around the league.
With the Lions not exactly earning a reputation for fine defending since entering MLS, here are five all too familiar foes that Orlando City SC simply can’t stand facing.
Ignacio Piatti – Montreal Impact
10 goals conceded (MLS)
Quite simply the arch-nemesis of Orlando City SC defenders, no single player has scored more MLS goals against the Lions than Montreal Impact’s Ignacio Piatti.
Now in the twilight of an esteemed playing career, the 34-year-old Argentine has shown no signs of slowing down against Orlando City SC in recent seasons.
Scoring TEN goals against Orlando City SC since 2015, three of these have been from the penalty spot.
Missing a large portion of 2019 due to a fresh knee injury, Piatti’s absence gave Orlando City SC a huge boost ahead of a rare 0-3 victory at Stade Saputo on June 1.
When he’s playing however, unfortunately it’s often a different story.
Kei Kamara – Colorado Rapids
9 goals conceded (MLS)
Another old stager yet somebody who always looks to have a new lease of life against Orlando City SC is MLS veteran Kei Kamara.
Representing four different Major League Soccer franchises since the Lions entered the league in 2015, the 35-year-old Sierra Leonean has scored against City for all four sides – registering a combined NINE goals in the process.
We’re of course talking about Columbus Crew, New England Revolution, Vancouver Whitecaps and now current side Colorado Rapids.
Kamara is a name striking fear into Lions supporters’ hearts, particularly during his time at Crew where he notched in the club’s first two Eastern Conference meetings before namesake Ola Kamara went on his own scoring spree against City.
Josef Martínez – Atlanta United
7 goals conceded (MLS)
The scorn of Orlando City SC supporters everywhere, Atlanta United’s Josef Martínez is public enemy number one for Lions supporters – and with good reason!
Why? Because he can’t stop scoring against the Lions, seemingly raising his game in the cauldron-like atmosphere of this rivalry fixture.
In truth, the cocksure Venezuelan international is unliked by every defender around the league considering he’s scored against every single MLS franchise – a record he achieved in just two-and-a-half seasons.
Registering SEVEN goals against Orlando City SC in three full seasons, a single strike from Martínez agonisingly proved the difference in the last league meeting at Exploria Stadium (0-1) – a game that crushed City’s spirit heading into the final straight of 2019.
David Accam – Nashville SC
6 goals (MLS)
Renowned for his prolific spell at Chicago Fire between 2015 and 2017, Ghanaian winger David Accam has been a constant thorn in Orlando City SC‘s side over the years.
Scoring SIX times past Lions goalkeepers since 2015, the now 29-year-old scored in three of his first four MLS appearances against City for Fire.
Bagging a hat-trick in a hugely disappointing 4-0 drubbing at Toyota Park in June 2017, Lions fans are sick of the sight of the pacy wide man.
Turning into something of a journeyman MLS talent since, David Accam will be suiting up for new boys Nashville SC come February and hopefully his purple patch against Orlando City SC comes to an end.
C.J. Sapong – Chicago Fire
5 goals (MLS)
For O.G. Orlando City SC supporters with long memories, C.J. Sapong is actually a former Lion having represented City in our USL days.
Loaned to Adrian Heath‘s side from Sporting Kansas City back in 2013, the four-times capped United States international scored one goal in just four appearances for the Lions.
Sadly for us, he’s been nothing but a hindrance ever since.
Bagging FIVE goals against Orlando City SC since 2015, C.J. Sapong scored four of these for Philadelphia Union including a brace on MLS Decision Day 2017.
With Orlando City SC going down 6-1 on a hugely depressing final day at Talen Energy Stadium, C.J. Sapong wasn’t done yet.
Moving to Chicago Fire in February 2019, he scored his first home goal for the Men in Red against Orlando City SC on March 9 – a 95th minute equaliser to break City hearts.
Other (un)honourable mentions
Other Major League Soccer talents who’ve enjoyed their fair share of success against Orlando City SC over the years include:
Luciano Acosta (4 goals)
Jozy Altidore (4 goals)
Diego Fagúndez (4 goals)
Ola Kamara (4 goals)
Maxi Moralez (4 goals)
Cristian Penilla (4 goals)
Fafà Picault (4 goals)
Chris Wondolowski (4 goals)
Josef …. this could have been all about Josef haha.