After losing 3-1 at Chicago Fire, Oscar Pareja‘s Orlando City SC fly north of the border to face Toronto FC for a third and final time this 2021 MLS regular season.
This is TFC’s first game at BMO Field this season following COVID-19 travel restrictions. That said, the Lions defeated their temporary Exploria Stadium tenants twice in both May (1-0) and June (2-3).
With nine days off between the Chicago Fire (3-1) loss and this game at Toronto FC, the break has been welcome.
Having just suffered our first back-to-back defeats of the season, the hectic mid-season MLS schedule has told of late.
In June and July, Orlando City SC lost Pedro Gallese and Jhegson Méndez to Copa América 2021 duty.
Then on July 1, Daryl Dike was called up by the USMNT for the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
To compound things, Antônio Carlos suffered a small adductor injury in the July 3 defeat to New York Red Bulls (1-2).
Setbacks happen and Oscar Pareja would’ve been using the nine-day break to reflect and recalibrate.
Currently sitting second in the Eastern Conference (21 points), Orlando City SC are still enjoying a fine MLS campaign so far.
Ultimately, there’s no need to panic. However, Lions supporters will be eager to halt our two-game losing streak as soon as possible.
The first adversity we’ve faced this season, it’s up to the players and coaching staff to prove any doubters wrong.
Including this game, there’s 22 regular season fixtures remaining.
As such, Oscar Pareja will be reminding everybody that any MLS campaign is a marathon, not a sprint.
As for Toronto FC, the Ontario side are currently being led by interim head coach Javier Pérez.
In charge following Chris Armas’ July 4 sacking, Pérez got an immediate bounce with an unlikely 2-3 victory over Eastern Conference leaders New England Revolution on July 7.
Toronto FC vs Orlando City SC – 2015/21 head-to-head stats
Facing Toronto FC just under one month ago, Orlando City SC won a crazy game 2-3 thanks to a late 84th minute winner from Júnior Urso.
Home supporters were locked out of Exploria Stadium due to the fact it was officially a Toronto FC home game. But this didn’t prevent a fast start with three goals in the opening 10 minutes.
After Tesho Akindele scored Orlando City SC‘s second fastest ever MLS goal (50 seconds), Nani doubled City’s lead by the eighth minute.
This was a handsome lead considering Toronto FC looked bright too. However, Ayo Akinola and Jonathan Osorio goals dragged Chris Armas’ side back into the game by half-time.
After half-time instructions from Oscar Pareja, Orlando City SC tightened up in the second-half and hung tough before Júnior Urso swept home a memorable game winner.
Cue the amazing scenes of Orlando City SC players chanting with the adoring Iron Lion Firm and Ruckus on a terrace high above West Church Street post-game.
Toronto FC 2 Orlando City SC 3 – Highlights – June 19, 2021 (Credit: Toronto FC)
Already defeating Toronto FC twice this season (1-0 and 2-3), Orlando City SC are successfully pulling closer to The Reds in this game series.
No MLS side has defeated Orlando City SC more than TFC (8 wins).
But now the successful Greg Vanney era is over, City are enjoying this fixture more than their Canadian opposition.
However, Toronto FC are no longer locked out of Canada due to COVID-19. The Reds will be back at BMO Field for this fixture.
Therefore, Orlando City SC won’t have the advantage of making familiar surroundings count like they did on June 19.
A Canadian international himself, Tesho Akindele did his national prospects no harm with recent performances against Toronto FC.
Personally, Akindele will feel unlucky to have missed out on a place in Canada’s final squad for the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
After all, the Calgary-born striker scored against TFC in each of Orlando City SC‘s last TWO MLS head-to-heads. Both strikes came within the opening 15 minutes too.
With these goals helping Orlando City SC to two victories over Toronto FC, the 29-year-old continues to be one of Oscar Pareja‘s closest and most trusted disciples.
Orlando City SC 1 Toronto FC 0 – Highlights – May 22, 2021 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
Toronto FC form
Only achieving one victory as Toronto FC head coach, Chris Armas was fired back on July 4.
A terrible run of SIX straight defeats saw the axe fall on the former New York Red Bulls manager.
Whether Armas lost the dressing room or not is a matter of debate in soccer circles.
However, interim head coach Javier Pérez got an immediate bounce from his TFC players on July 7.
Achieving a highly unlikely 2-3 win at New England Revolution, four days after a 7-1 loss at D.C. United no less, Toronto FC will hope its a turning point.
New England Revolution 2 Toronto FC 3 – Highlights – July 7, 2021 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
Orlando City SC form
It’s been a case of all or nothing for Orlando City SC in May, June, and July.
Indeed, there have been NO DRAWS in the Lions’ last EIGHT Major League Soccer fixtures.
Fortunately, we’ve won more games than we’ve lost in this eight-game streak, winning fifteen points and surrendering nine.
Orlando City SC‘s most recent draw came against New York City FC (1-1) at Exploria Stadium back on May 8.
City fans will want to win against a lowly TFC side but perhaps we’d take a draw to halt our two-game losing slump.