With two regular season games remaining, Oscar Pareja‘s Orlando City SC face Columbus Crew in a game that was originally scheduled for October 11 but postponed due to COVID-19 cases in the Crew staff.
Caleb Porter’s side are currently on 38 points just like City. This game provides the perfect opportunity to jump them in the Eastern Conference standings to third.
Heading into this game on the back of two wins from two, Orlando City SC are gaining confidence at the right time.
With the 2020 MLS Cup Playoffs only two regular season games away, Oscar Pareja‘s side look in great shape for the post-season.
Although our 0-1 win at Montreal Impact was far from a classic, the Lions’ goal oozed class with City defending valiantly thereafter.
With Daryl Dike‘s scoring for a third successive game, the 20-year-old confidently tucked home an incredible defence-splitting pass from the returning Mauricio Pereyra.
The Uruguayan’s return is timely with the 30-year-old getting a good 56 minutes under his belt following some time out.
Considering Chris Mueller and Nani were rested in New Jersey, Oscar Pareja is rotating the squad well as he prepares the team for our first ever post-season appearance.
What better way to prepare for high-stakes games than this acid test against Columbus Crew?
A fixture that has an MLS Cup Playoffs feel about it, Caleb Porter’s side have been near the Eastern Conference summit all season.
This is exactly the calibre of side that Orlando City SC will be facing beyond November 8.
Achieving a statement 2-1 victory over Philadelphia Union on Sunday, this Crew win denied Union the Supporters’ Shield.
If Oscar Pareja‘s side can grab a win here, they will lock in a top four spot and home game seeding for the 2020 MLS Cup Playoffs.
Orlando City SC vs Columbus Crew – 2015/19 head-to-head stats
This is the first time Orlando City SC have faced Columbus Crew this year with the last meeting taking place in July 2019.
With both sides facing each other twice in fifteen days, James O’Connor‘s side won 1-0 to complete a 2019 double over the Ohio side.
In a game where scoring chances were at a premium, Orlando City SC stole all three points with their only shot on target.
Indeed, Benji Michel‘s late 84th minute strike was enough to overcome Caleb Porter’s side.
It was the perfect response after losing 1-0 at D.C. United (yes, that Wayne Rooney long-ranger) only three days earlier.
Orlando City SC 1 Columbus Crew 0 – Highlights – July 13, 2019 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
Familiar Eastern Conference foes, the Orlando City SC vs Columbus Crew game series now stands at 12 games played.
Fourteen days prior to the aforementioned 1-0 victory, James O’Connor‘s City beat Columbus Crew (0-2) at MAPFRE Stadium too.
Only Orlando City SC‘s third and final victory on the road all season, away wins like this were in too short supply.
Scoring one goal in either half, Chris Mueller and Tesho Akindele strikes brought all three points back to Central Florida.
Columbus Crew 0 Orlando City SC 2 – Highlights – June 29, 2019 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
Heading into this one, the good news is that Orlando City SC have won each of the last THREE MLS head-to-heads.
Dig a little deeper and you’ll find there has been little to choose over the past FIVE matchups however.
Indeed, FOUR of the last FIVE head-to-heads have been separated by just ONE goal.
The exception was Orlando City SC‘s aforementioned 0-2 victory at MAPFRE Stadium in June 2019.
With Columbus Crew being at or around the Eastern Conference summit for all of 2020, you can imagine this game will be evenly fought too.
Orlando City SC form
Thanks to Daryl Dike‘s solitary strike at Montreal Impact, Orlando City SC have now scored the first goal in TWELVE of their last FOURTEEN MLS fixtures.
Scoring first and controlling games afterwards has been the hallmark of Oscar Pareja‘s Orlando City SC.
Now playing with a clear identity, whether home or away, every single Lion is dialled in on pressing opponents out of the gate and giving little away.
It’s been such a refreshing turnaround for a side who were quite simply struggling to find an identity pre-Oscar Pareja.
Columbus Crew form
Buoyed by their statement 2-1 win over Eastern Conference leaders Philadelphia Union, Columbus Crew will provide a stiff test for Orlando City SC.
Their first victory in three MLS games, a theme can be drawn from their THREE previous league defeats however.
Indeed, Crew lost all these games by a single goal to Montreal Impact (1-2), FC Cincinnati (2-1) and D.C. United (1-0).
Even in these defeats, Columbus Crew were still competitive with City needing to be at their best to overcome the Ohio side.
D.C. United 1 Columbus Crew 0 – Highlights – October 28, 2020 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
What is YOUR score prediction for Orlando City SC‘s home fixture against Columbus Crew?
Comment below or tweet us at @Orlando_CityUK to let us know!
…
Don’t forget, Orlando City SC vs Columbus Crew will be shown LIVE on FreeSports in the early hours of Thursday morning at 00:35 (GMT).
You can view our TV Fixture Tracker by clicking here.
GOOD NEWS 🚨 | @OrlandoCitySC 🆚 @ColumbusCrewSC is LIVE on @FreeSports_TV in the early hours of Thursday morning! 📺⚽️😁👍🏽
VIEW TV TRACKER 📺: https://t.co/KV9JvpAA0o#ORLvCLB #OrlandoCity #MLSUK pic.twitter.com/cFXeKXzV5Q
— x – Orlando City UK (@Orlando_CityUK) November 2, 2020