Into the #MLSisBack Tournament quarter-finals after beating Montreal Impact 1-0, Orlando City SC now face their toughest test yet. Western Conference champions Los Angeles FC await in the last eight after beating Seattle Sounders 1-4.
Bob Bradley’s side are favourites to win this tournament but after encouraging performances under Oscar Pareja, this game will prove how far the Lions have come.
In truth, Montreal Impact’s 1-0 defeat flattered the Canadian side with Orlando City SC bossing the Round-of-16 fixture with 56% possession.
With Tesho Akindele scoring the crucial goal, this followed multiple first-half chances squandered by the Lions.
Nevertheless, Orlando City SC never panicked and put in yet another sturdy performance full of grit, heart and determination.
Those qualities will be needed in abundance against an LAFC side that are currently top scorers at #MLSisBack with 15 goals overall.
Winning the 2019 Supporters’ Shield with a record breaking 72 points in just their second season in existence, Los Angeles FC are still the hottest side in MLS.
Despite Carlos Vela missing the tournament, the fearsome frontline of Diego Rossi, Bradley Wright-Phillips and Brian Rodríguez are still terrorising opposition defences.
That said, beyond the Black & Gold’s top quality attack and midfield, LAFC do lack the same strength in both defence and goal.
It’s now up to Oscar Pareja and Orlando City SC to pull off the surprise result of the tournament to qualify past the odds-on favourites.
Orlando City SC vs Los Angeles FC – 2018/19 head-to-head stats
On Los Angeles FC’s first ever visit to Exploria Stadium in September 2019, Bob Bradley’s side had to settle for a point.
Travelling to Central Florida as runaway Western Conference leaders, LAFC did visit understrength due to international call-ups however.
With Eduard Atuesta, Mark-Anthony Kaye, Brian Rodríguez, Carlos Vela and Walker Zimmerman all missing the game, this gave City hope.
Nani cancelled out Adrien Perez’s 12th minute opener exactly 10 seconds after the restart before Benji Michel put City 2-1 up on 20 minutes.
Unfortunately, James O’Connor‘s side couldn’t hold out for a crucial three points as Diego Rossi equalised with a 78th minute strike.
Orlando City SC 2 Los Angeles FC 2 – Highlights – September 7, 2019 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
Since Los Angeles FC are only two-and-a-bit seasons into their Major League Soccer history, Orlando City SC has only faced them twice.
Still looking for our first victory over the Black and Gold, the 2018 meeting took place at Banc of California Stadium prior to the aforementioned 2019 game.
In the inaugural meeting, the scoreline was fairly respectable (2-1) until Bob Bradley’s side punished a tired and jet lagged Orlando City SC with two late goals to add some gloss to the full-time result (4-1).
After Adama Diomande and Latif Blessing goals put LAFC 2-0 up just after the half hour mark, Orlando City SC were fearing the worst.
In James O’Connor‘s first game in charge however, the Lions rallied well with Sacha Kljestan pegging back the hosts lead in the 59th minute before late Adama Diomande and Diego Rossi strikes put the outcome beyond all doubt.
Los Angeles FC 4 Orlando City SC 1 – Highlights – July 7, 2018 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
Orlando City SC form
A mark of Oscar Pareja‘s early tenure at Orlando City SC has been the Lions’ ability to keep games tight, especially early on.
Drawing 0-0 at half-time in FIVE of our SIX MLS fixtures this year, the 2-1 half-time lead over New York City FC at #MLSisBack is the only exception.
Not giving ourselves a mountain to climb, as we’ve seen under previous head coaches, Pareja’s Orlando City SC are so much more competitive nowadays.
Giving little encouragement to our opposition, Orlando City SC are now far more difficult to beat and it’s all down to the methodical approach of Oscar Pareja.
Orlando City SC 1 Montreal Impact 0 – Highlights – July 25, 2020 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
Los Angeles FC form
Remember Los Angeles FC’s soft centre we referenced at the start of this article? That’s exactly what we’re talking about here.
Despite boasting incredible attacking talent, LAFC’s defence and arguably their new goalkeeper Kenneth Vermeer are the teams’ weak spots.
Conceding at least TWO goals in FOUR of their last FIVE MLS fixtures, teams can get at this Los Angeles FC defence.
Lacking depth in defence, Dejan Jakovic and Eddie Segura are flanked by Tristan Blackmon and Diego Palacios at full strength.
As we saw in Group F against Houston Dynamo, LA Galaxy and Portland Timbers, LAFC gave up seven goals and are heavily reliant on their attackers outscoring their opponents.
Ultimately, if Orlando City SC can keep the LAFC attack at bay, no easy feat of course, they will stand a great chance.
While we’re all used to Carlos Vela being the main man for Los Angeles FC, Diego Rossi has taken on that role in the Mexican’s absence.
A superb player in his own right, the Uruguayan has scored in FOUR of LAFC’s last FIVE MLS fixtures.
Currently leading the #MLSisBack Tournament golden boot race with SEVEN goals, TWO of these have been penalty kicks.
With Rossi deployed off the left wing by Bob Bradley, the explosive Ruan can’t afford to be too cavalier when attacking in this knockout tie.
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Don’t forget, Orlando City SC vs Los Angeles FC will be shown LIVE on FreeSports in the early hours of Saturday morning just after 00:30 (GMT).
You can view our TV Fixture Tracker by clicking here.
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— Orlando City UK (@Orlando_CityUK) July 28, 2020