After the thrill of winning #MLSisBack Group A with seven points from nine, Orlando City SC now face Montreal Impact. The Round-of-16 matchup will decide who claims a place in the quarter-finals.
After going unbeaten in three group stage matches, Oscar Pareja has brought a feel-good factor back to The City Beautiful. This game is another huge opportunity to show MLS just how much progression we’ve made in a short space of time.
After the furore of defeating new Florida rivals Inter Miami on matchday one, Orlando City SC didn’t look back.
It was the quick start against New York City FC on matchday two that was the most impressive performance. In that game, Lions supporters were watching a confident team brimming with hunger and belief, not anxiety and fear.
Reflecting on the group stage, there was plenty to be encouraged by. However, Chris Mueller scoring three Group A goals was particularly pleasing.
Earning a reputation as an impact sub in his two full seasons at the club so far, Mueller grasped his starting opportunities with both hands.
Importantly, Oscar Pareja‘s Orlando City SC looked far more dogged and resilient. At times, performances were unrecognisable from the feeble or heart-stopping soccer we’ve witnessed all too often since 2015.
Hardworking, organised, and difficult to beat, Orlando City SC got plenty of attacking numbers forward in all three games.
In short, the creation of multiple goalscoring opportunities was a huge plus point. Not to mention earning seven more points towards the Major League Soccer regular season standings.
Riding our luck at times, defensive performances were largely disciplined too and they’ll need to be here. As for our Round-of-16 opponents Montreal Impact, they finished third in Group C.
One of the four best third-placed teams, Thierry Henry’s side lost 1-0 to New England Revolution and lost 3-4 to Canadian arch-rivals Toronto FC.
In their third game however, they picked up a crucial 1-0 victory over D.C. United to advance with the aforementioned teams.
A winnable game for Orlando City SC, at least on paper, this game is a huge one in the Lions’ six-year MLS history.
Orlando City SC vs Montreal Impact – 2015/19 head-to-head stats
The last time Orlando City SC faced Montreal Impact, the Lions put in arguably their most complete performance in Major League Soccer so far.
A game Orlando City UK was lucky enough to attend live at Saputo Stadium, James O’Connor‘s City side won 0-3 in a hugely convincing performance in Quebec.
Racing into a rare 0-3 first-half lead, Will Johnson effectively ended the contest with a diving header that followed a long passage of unchallenged Orlando City SC passing.
This was honestly like watching Barcelona’s tiki-taka at its best, so much so that even Matt Doyle couldn’t help but applaud, and I quote, a “gorgeous” play and our “best team goal” scored to date.
Montreal Impact 0 Orlando City SC 3 – Highlights – June 1, 2019 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
Orlando City SC‘s June 2019 victory over Montreal Impact edged them closer to the Canadian side in this MLS game series.
With Impact holding SIX wins to Orlando City SC‘s FOUR, the good news is that club legend Ignacio Piatti is no longer around.
Quite simply the arch-nemesis of Orlando City SC defenders, no single player has scored more MLS goals against the Lions than Piatti.
Scoring TEN league goals against City since 2015, there’s no doubt Montreal Impact are missing their talisman this season under Thierry Henry’s new direction.
While Bojan, Romell Quioto and Maximiliano Urruti are capable goal getters, replacing Piatti’s 66 goals in 135 MLS appearances is difficult.
Orlando City SC form
Including our 2-1 loss at Colorado Rapids prior to the #MLSisBack Tournament, both teams have scored in Orlando City SC‘s last FOUR MLS fixtures.
While Oscar Pareja will be craving a clean sheet, Orlando City SC has salvaged losing positions in THREE of these FOUR games too.
Indeed, City tied 1-1 at Rapids before Drew Moor’s winner, they overturned Juan Agudelo’s opener for Inter Miami (2-1), and tied Ilsinho’s opener for Philadelphia Union (1-1).
This fight and determination under Oscar Pareja‘s new guidance can’t be underestimated.
Philadelphia Union 1 Orlando City SC 1 – Highlights – July 20, 2020 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
Now we’re at the knockout stage of the #MLSisBack Tournament, it’s win or go home.
That means keeping all 11 men on the field is imperative in fixtures of this magnitude.
While Oscar Pareja is yet to see a City player sent off under his tenure, there has been at least FOUR yellow cards in the Lions’ last FOUR league fixtures.
With Pedro Gallese, Jhegson Méndez, João Moutinho (x2), Mauricio Pereyra, Uri Rosell (x2) and Ruan all seeing yellow in Group A, we must keep our discipline.
While that’s difficult with tired legs and fatigue in stifling Florida temperatures, avoiding red cards is even more crucial given the stakes.
Montreal Impact form
Reflecting on Thierry Henry’s short tenure at Montreal Impact so far, there’s one key theme.
Impact like to keep games tight.
A similar theme to what we’ve seen under Oscar Pareja so far, FOUR of Impact’s FIVE MLS fixtures have been separated by just ONE goal.
- 29 February – Montreal Impact 2 New England Revolution 1
- 7 March – FC Dallas 2 Montreal Impact 2
- 9 July – Montreal Impact 0 New England Revolution 1
- 16 July – Montreal Impact 3 Toronto FC 4
- 21 July – Montreal Impact 1 D.C. United 0
With the exception being a 2-2 draw at FC Dallas on March 7, Montreal Impact has been competitive in every game played so far this year.
With a place in the quarter-finals on the line, Orlando City SC will need to bring their A-game to unlock a battling opponent.
Montreal Impact 1 D.C. United 0 – Highlights – July 21, 2020 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
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Don’t forget, Orlando City SC vs Montreal Impact will be shown LIVE on FreeSports in the early hours of Sunday morning just after 01:00 (GMT).
You can view our TV Fixture Tracker by clicking here.
GOOD NEWS 🚨 | @OrlandoCitySC 🆚 @impactmontreal is LIVE on @FreeSports_TV in the early hours of Sunday morning (GMT). 👏🏽😄📺⚽#ORLvMTL #OrlandoCity #IMFC #MLSisBack #MLS pic.twitter.com/bUJrEQPkIr
— Orlando City UK (@Orlando_CityUK) July 23, 2020