After scoring late to earn a deserved 1-1 draw at Sporting Kansas City, Orlando City SC return home to face FC Cincinnati.
With Nani‘s nonchalant back-heeled finish ensuring that Oscar Pareja‘s side remain unbeaten, this fixture provides a good chance to earn our first victory of 2021.
On another day, Orlando City SC might’ve returned from SKC with all three points after bossing large periods of the game.
With 60% possession to Sporting Kansas City’s 40%, the Lions breached John Pulskamp’s goal twice before Nani‘s leveller.
Unfortunately, both Benji Michel and Andrés Perea‘s strikes were correctly ruled out for offside.
The frustration from this game was the fact Gianluca Busio’s opener was self-inflicted following a far too casual clearance from Pedro Gallese in goal.
While the goal came against the run of play, the Orlando City SC defence endured several nervy moments playing out from the back in the first-half.
Now Oscar Pareja‘s side have adjusted to competitive action again, the full expectation will be three points against FC Cincinnati.
Drawing 2-2 at Nashville SC on Gameweek 1, Jaap Stam’s Orange and Blue suffered a damaging 5-0 defeat at New York City FC last time out.
With the Dutchman already on thin ice following just for four wins from 24 games in charge, FC Cincinnati are a wounded animal right now.
Nevertheless, Orlando City SC shouldn’t be taking the Ohio side lightly.
Making some eye-catching additions in the off-season, notably forwards Brenner and Luciano Acosta, FC Cincinnati have some match winners in their ranks.
It’s just up to Orlando City SC to take advantage of the early funk the Queen City side find themselves in.
Orlando City SC vs FC Cincinnati – 2019 head-to-head stats
Last year, there was no regular season or #MLSisBack Tournament meeting between these sides with the last head-to-head taking place in 2019.
With 2019 being FC Cincinnati’s inaugural MLS season of course, they took one from a possible six points from James O’Connor‘s Orlando City SC.
This September 2020 meeting at Nippert Stadium was a sorry affair. After all, both sides had already failed to reach the 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs.
After Allan Cruz made it 1-0 in the 40th minute, City were only seconds away from losing the game.
Fortunately, Benji Michel scored a 91st minute equaliser in stoppage time to spare Orlando City SC total embarrassment against the Eastern Conference basement boys.
In conceding this goal, FC Cincinnati set the unwanted record for most goals conceded in a single MLS campaign (75).
FC Cincinnati 1 Orlando City SC 1 – Highlights – September 29, 2019 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
While 2019’s away fixture at FC Cincinnati was disappointing, the home fixture in May was the total opposite.
This was a 5-1 thrashing of the Orange and Blue at Exploria Stadium. The result is Orlando City SC‘s second most emphatic victory in the MLS era.
Despite the full-time result, FC Cincinnati actually took the lead in Central Florida. This was under Yoann Damet’s watch as interim head coach after Alan Koch’s sacking earlier that month.
With Jamaican international Darren Mattocks side-stepping Robin Jansson to put the Orange and Blue 0-1 up in the 24th minute, Orlando City SC‘s response was first class.
On a boiling hot day in Central Florida, Tesho Akindele replied in the 37th minute before a Nani brace, another Akindele goal and a Dom Dwyer header secured the Lions’ biggest win of the season.
Orlando City SC 5 FC Cincinnati 1 – Highlights – May 19, 2019 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
Since these Eastern Conference sides have only faced each other twice, head-to-head stats are a little thin on the ground.
But one theme is that FC Cincinnati have taken the lead on both occasions in this game series.
With Darren Mattocks and Allan Cruz goals seizing the initiative, fortunately Orlando City SC pegged FC Cincinnati back on both occasions.
Orlando City SC form
Pedro Gallese has proved a game changer in net. Nevertheless, the Peruvian will want to improve his clean sheet record, especially at Exploria Stadium.
Indeed, Orlando City SC‘s 0-0 draw with Atlanta United on day one was the Lions’ first clean sheet in 12 home fixtures.
While Oscar Pareja‘s side went 6-4-2 in this 12-game stretch, earning more clean sheets at home will be fundamental in reaching the 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs.
FC Cincinnati form
As we mentioned at the outset, Jaap Stam has only won FOUR of TWENTY FOUR games in charge of FC Cincinnati.
The good news for Orlando City SC is that the Orange and Blue have a terrible recent road record in Major League Soccer.
As we saw last time out, FC Cincinnati were thumped 5-0 at New York City FC.
Losing SIX of their last SEVEN away fixtures in MLS, this is FC Cincinnati’s final road game before they open TQL Stadium on May 16.
Before the Ohio side get a buzz from launching their new soccer-specific stadium, this is a good opportunity to earn all three points.
New York City FC 5 FC Cincinnati 0 – Highlights – April 24, 2021 (Credit: New York City FC)