After defeating Toronto FC 2-3, Orlando City SC now face their second and only other regular season fixture against Western Conference opposition this MLS campaign.
With San Jose Earthquakes in town for Pride in Our City night, the Lions will be hoping for maximum points from this triple gameweek.
Following a 21-day break, the Lions’ victory over TFC was extra sweet for multiple reasons.
Firstly, it was relieving to for Júnior Urso to score late. This effectively righted the wrong of surrendering a 0-2 first-half lead.
Secondly, Oscar Pareja‘s side took full advantage of competing in familiar surroundings.
Albeit an away game in the history books, Orlando City SC would’ve enjoyed staying in town versus visiting BMO Field.
Despite no home fans being in attendance, the Ruckus and Iron Lion Firm made their presence felt.
During the 90+ minutes, audible fireworks were heard along West Church Street outside.
At full-time, Orlando City SC players appeared in front of their adoring supporters from a terrace post-game.
The good news is that our boisterous supporters will be allowed back inside Exploria Stadium for San Jose Earthquakes on Tuesday evening.
A game hot on the heels of Saturday’s 2-3 triumph, Oscar Pareja will manage the squad carefully with Inter Miami (away) on Friday.
Against Toronto FC, Silvester van der Water was highly impressive. The Dutchman was a real bright spark for 70 minutes.
With Nani and Daryl Dike back in the squad too, squad competitiveness is at an all-time high right now.
As for our Tuesday opponents San Jose Earthquakes, Matías Almeyda’s side just drew 0-0 at Austin FC on Saturday.
The inaugural fixture at Austin FC’s brand-new Q2 Stadium home, Quakes are now winless their last FOUR MLS fixtures.
Orlando City SC vs San Jose Earthquakes – 2015/19 head-to-head stats
There was no cross-conference meeting between this duo last year with the most recent head-to-head taking place in August 2019.
It’s a case of the less said the better regarding this fixture however!
A painful road trip out west, James O’Connor’s Lions were subjected to a 3-0 thumping at Avaya Stadium.
Representing San Jose Earthquakes’ first MLS victory over Orlando City SC at the fifth attempt, City were 1-0 down in only three minutes thanks to Magnus Eriksson.
With Orlando City SC‘s confidence shattered due to a painful 0-1 home loss to Atlanta United a game earlier, this City performance was extremely flat.
Following Eriksson’s opener, a Chris Wondolowski brace took the game completely out of the Lions’ reach with nothing to play for bar pride in the second-half.
San Jose Earthquakes 3 Orlando City SC 0 – Highlights – August 31, 2019 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
A cross-conference game series that is five games old, we usually get draws when Orlando City SC face San Jose Earthquakes.
Orlando City SC‘s only MLS victory over Quakes came in super dramatic style when Jason Kreis‘ Lions overcame the California side 3-2 in April 2018.
With City suiting up in the charcoal-coloured 2018 Adidas Parley jersey (pictured) rather than purple to recognise Earth Day, the Lions raced into a 3-0 lead by the 70th minute.
Chris Mueller, Sacha Kljestan and Dom Dwyer goals made the game look extremely safe.
Nevertheless, Orlando City SC almost shot themselves in the foot when conceding two late goals, both scored by German midfielder Florian Jungwirth.
Orlando City SC 3 San Jose Earthquakes 2 – Highlights – April 21, 2018 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
He’s the outright leading goalscorer in Major League Soccer history. And few sides have been safe when Chris Wondolowski has faced them over the years.
Unfortunately, he’s often hurt Orlando City SC too.
Now in the twilight of his career at 38, Wondo is still going strong. The former USMNT forward boasts a good goalscoring record against City since our 2015 league entrance.
Scoring against Orlando City SC in THREE of the FIVE MLS head-to-heads so far, Chris Wondolowski has FOUR career goals against the Lions.
Orlando City SC form
So far this MLS season, Orlando City SC have contested FOUR official home fixtures at Exploria Stadium.
In this time, Oscar Pareja‘s Lions have still only conceded ONE goal.
This was a Valentín Castellanos penalty for New York City FC back on May 8.
It’s still handsome record to hold a couple of months into the regular season.
Brandon Austin will look to maintain this record in Pedro Gallese‘s absence. Our Peruvian number one is still currently on international duty with Peru at Copa América 2021.
Nevertheless, Oscar Pareja will want the Lions to improve on an uncharacteristically shaky first-half defensive performance against Toronto FC.
San Jose Earthquakes form
Winless in their last FOUR MLS fixtures, San Jose Earthquakes have failed to score in THREE of these games.
Furthermore, Quakes have paid for being blunt in attack, losing TWO of these games by just one goal.
These results were a 0-1 loss to Seattle Sounders on May 12 and a 1-0 loss at LA Galaxy in the California Clasico.
Drawing 0-0 at Austin FC last time out, the one time they did score in this streak was a Javier López opener at Sporting Kansas City on May 22.
Austin FC 0 San Jose Earthquakes 0 – Highlights – June 19, 2021 (Credit: San Jose Earthquakes)
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Don’t forget, Orlando City SC vs San Jose Earthquakes will be shown LIVE on FreeSports in the early hours of Wednesday morning at 00:35 (GMT).
GOOD NEWS 🚨 | @OrlandoCitySC 🆚 @SJEarthquakes is LIVE on @FreeSports_TV in the early hours of Wednesday morning. 👏🏽😄⚽
VIEW OUR TV TRACKER 📺: https://t.co/KV9JvpSaRW#ORLvSJ #OrlandoCity #VamosSJ #MLSUK pic.twitter.com/ejullYDdy7
— Orlando City UK 🌈 (@Orlando_CityUK) June 21, 2021