Orlando City SC‘s 2021 campaign seems to be unravelling and at the worst possible time too. After a 3-1 loss at Philadelphia Union, qualification for the 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs is no longer a sure thing.
Not only defeated at Subaru Park (3-1), Antônio Carlos‘ late sending off means another suspension ahead of two tough away games, first at New England Revolution, and then Nashville SC.
The most controversial moment of the Union game took place on 37 minutes.
Kai Wagner’s deflected strike gave Union the lead but the goal looked illegitimate on two fronts.
Firstly, because Kacper Przybyłko fouled Rodrigo Schlegel in the first phase. Flagged by the linesman, this decision was ignored by Alan Kelly.
In phase two, after Orlando City SC admittedly failed to clear their lines, Jamiro Monteiro was offside during Wagner’s strike.
Pedro Gallese pleaded with Kelly claiming the Cape Verde international was in his eye-line, and thus, interfering with play.
After the delay of consulting VAR, Alan Kelly ruled that the goal would stand.
Bemused and angry, Oscar Pareja‘s Orlando City SC appeared to lose their heads from this point.
Costing City before, this lack of discipline saw the Lions receive five more yellow cards and one red.
On the contrary, Union received just one yellow card (Leon Flach) despite out-fouling Orlando City SC 18 to 12 at full-time.
Despite Alan Kelly’s ineptitude, there can be no more Orlando City SC excuses however.
In three consecutive MLS defeats, the Lions’ performances have been extremely sub-par and disappointing.
Losing any kind of attacking prowess, the once steadfast Orlando City SC defence looks nervous and unsure of themselves.
It’s a toxic mix and with City now on a downward trajectory, the Lions are just THREE points above the playoff line.
Our run of TWO victories in NINE Major League Soccer games has many City supporters questioning, what is going wrong?
Now facing runaway Eastern Conference leaders New England Revolution, we’re receiving no favours from the schedule makers either.
New England Revolution vs Orlando City SC – 2015/21 head-to-head stats
The last time City faced New England Revolution, the Revs painfully eliminated us from the 2020 MLS Cup Playoffs (1-3).
After the jubilation and high of Rodrigo Schlegel helping us past New York City FC into the Eastern Conference semi-final, Revs rained on our parade.
At full-time, Orlando City SC had no excuses either. The better side won at Exploria Stadium.
Conceding a 17th minute Carles Gil penalty, Gustavo Bou made it 0-2 in only the 25th minute.
With Júnior Urso raising the roof with his own 33rd minute reply, there was hope that Orlando City SC could rescue the game.
These hopes got extinguished on the hour mark.
Experiencing a rush of blood to the head, Mauricio Pereyra made a terrible reckless challenge on Matt Polster.
Receiving a straight red card from referee Alex Chilowicz, this ill-timed challenge effectively killed Orlando City SC‘s comeback hopes.
But wait?
After Daryl Dike was felled, City were awarded a 74th minute penalty but Matt Turner was painfully equal to Nani‘s strike.
On 86 minutes, the game was up when Gustavo Bou scored his second and Revs’ third of the day.
Absolutely devastating.
Orlando City SC 1 New England Revolution 3 – Highlights – November 29, 2020 (Credit: New England Revolution)
We’ve had 12 New England Revolution vs Orlando City SC / Orlando City SC vs New England Revolution head-to-heads so far in MLS.
It’s the Revs who hold a three-win advantage over City with FIVE victories to the Lions’ TWO.
There’s often draws with FIVE played out since 2015 too.
The last Orlando City SC victory over Revs isn’t actually included in this MLS tally.
It was in the 2019 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup instead.
Extra-time strikes by Benji Michel and Tesho Akindele helped the Lions to a 2-1 victory and a place in the quarter-finals.
Orlando City SC are long overdue a victory over New England Revolution.
The Foxborough, Massachusetts side are unbeaten against the Lions in the last FIVE MLS head-to-heads.
Back in September 2019, the duo played out an incredible six-goal game (3-3) at Exploria Stadium.
In a rousing second-half, Orlando City SC overturned a 1-3 half-time deficit in just nine minutes.
However, this 3-3 draw left James O’Connor‘s side’s playoff hopes on the brink.
Achieving a win this time will be extremely tough.
Bruce Arena’s side have only lost ONCE at Gillette Stadium (2-3 to Toronto FC), surrendering just SEVEN home points out of THIRTY-NINE.
Orlando City SC 3 New England Revolution 3 – Highlights – September 14, 2019 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
New England Revolution form
When you’re in a funk, the last team you want to be facing are the runaway Eastern Conference leaders.
Unfortunately, that’s the harsh reality for Orlando City SC right now.
In New England Revolution, Oscar Pareja‘s side are meeting a formidable opponent.
Undefeated in THIRTEEN of their last FOURTEEN MLS fixtures, Revs won ELEVEN games in this impressive streak.
Only New York City FC (2-0) beat them in this streak.
This incredible form means Revs still stand a chance of surpassing Los Angeles FC’s record-breaking points tally (72) from 2019.
Bruce Arena’s side currently top the East with 59 points and have seven regular season games remaining.
New England Revolution 1 Columbus Crew 1 – Highlights – September 18, 2021 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
Orlando City SC form
One of the biggest contributors to Orlando City SC‘s form falling off a cliff?
Quite simply, an inability to keep the score down.
In the Lions’ last FOUR MLS fixtures, City have conceded AT LEAST TWO GOALS.
This is very uncharacteristic of Oscar Pareja‘s Orlando City SC who appeared rock solid defensively earlier in the season.
It’s all the more disappointing considering we’ve had our first choice defensive options available too.
With Antônio Carlos missing this Revs game through suspension, Pareja might be forced into a change of shape.
Going with a 5-3-2 at Philadelphia Union, those park the bus tactics will need some tweaking in Carlos’ absence.