After heroically rescuing a two-goal deficit at Nashville SC (2-2), Orlando City SC return to Exploria Stadium for a must-win fixture against D.C. United following a tough three-game road streak.
Now sitting perilously above the red line by just two points, seventh-placed City have just 7 regular season games remaining to reach the 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs.
On the hour mark at Nissan Stadium on Wednesday night, Orlando City SC supporters were staring into the abyss.
With Hany Mukhtar and Randall Leal goals putting Nashville SC 2-0 up, things were looking mighty desperate for Oscar Pareja‘s side.
Staring a fifth consecutive MLS defeat right in the face, it was difficult to see the Lions coming back – especially against MLS’s joint-second meanest defence.
But on 76 minutes, a gift from the gods!
Referee Drew Fischer awarded a penalty to Orlando City SC after Jack Maher tussled with Daryl Dike in the Nashville SC box.
But who was to take it?
After Nani saw a crucial penalty saved by Matt Turner at New England Revolution, Daryl Dike grabbed the ball despite Nani replacing Alexander Alvarado on 66 minutes.
This proved to be the correct decision with Dike smashing a powerful spot kick beyond the helpless Joe Willis.
Considering Orlando City SC had missed 3 of their 5 penalties this season before this kick, this was a huge moment and morale-booster.
Brave and gutsy to continue fighting to the full-time whistle, then came a crucial equaliser with just two stoppage time minutes remaining.
On 93 minutes, Nani swung in a fantastic corner that Benji Michel appeared to head home although it was later credited as a Tah Anunga own goal.
Orlando City SC didn’t care as pandemonium ensued in the visitors’ dugout with Oscar Pareja, the players and City supporters everywhere feeling mighty relief at halting a four-game losing slump.
Something to build on, D.C. United at home has a must-win feel about it this Saturday.
With just one point separating third-placed D.C. United and seventh-placed Orlando City SC, every single point counts right now.
It’s crucial that every Orlando City SC supporter, hardcore or casual, shows up to roar this team towards the post-season.
Orlando City SC vs D.C. United – 2015/21 head-to-head stats
The last time Orlando City SC faced D.C. United, the Lions ran out 0-1 winners at Audi Field.
This May victory was City’s first win at the Buzzard Point venue, and our first away victory of 2021.
Unfortunately, away wins have been in all too short supply since Mauricio Pereyra‘s single goal settled the score here.
Cushioning a fantastically weighted through ball from Kyle Smith into the path of Tesho Akindele, Akindele returned it before Pereyra swept it past Jon Kempin.
Sustaining a lot of D.C. United pressure throughout the 90, Oscar Pareja‘s side held on before jubilant scenes in the away locker room.
Toronto FC (2-3 – albeit at Exploria Stadium) and Inter Miami (1-2) represent our only two other away wins all season.
D.C. United 0 Orlando City SC 1 – Highlights – May 16, 2021 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
Twelve fixtures into this Eastern Conference game series, D.C. United are edging Orlando City SC with SIX victories to the Lions’ FIVE.
When these sides meet, there is usually one winner with only one draw played out to date.
That tie came back in the very first game of the 2018 MLS season as a Stéfano Pinho stoppage time equaliser saved Orlando City SC‘s blushes on opening day (1-1).
In recent seasons, when Orlando City SC have faced D.C. United, games have been decided by the narrowest margin.
In the last FOUR Orlando City SC vs D.C. United / D.C. United vs Orlando City SC head-to-heads, the games have been separated by just ONE goal.
After a run of three straight defeats to Ben Olsen’s D.C. United (3-2, 1-2, 1-0), Mauricio Pereyra‘s aforementioned strike broke this streak (0-1) back in May.
Now managing Derby County of course, Orlando City SC won’t miss Wayne Rooney who terrorised the Lions in the three consecutive D.C. United defeats mentioned above.
Orlando City SC 1 D.C. United 2 – Highlights – March 31, 2019 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
Orlando City SC form
In Saturday’s game against D.C. United, it’s crucial that Orlando City SC score the first goal of the match.
The Lions have conceded the first goal in their last FIVE consecutive Major League Soccer fixtures.
In recent away games at New England Revolution and Nashville SC, Adam Buksa and Hany Mukhtar scored in only the ninth and eleventh minutes.
Giving City mountains to climb early on, scoring first would do wonders for confidence and self-belief as we reach the business end of the season.
Nashville SC 2 Orlando City SC 2 – Highlights – September 29, 2021 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
D.C. United form
If you’re a neutral supporter of Major League Soccer, watching D.C. United has been mighty fun this season.
Indeed, there have been OVER 2.5 GOALS SCORED in TEN of the Black and Red’s last ELEVEN MLS fixtures.
Defeating Minnesota United 3-1 at Audi Field on Wednesday night, Hernán Losada’s side are free-scoring.
Scoring the second highest number of goals (48) in all of MLS this season, Saturday’s game could be a thrill a minute.
Whether Orlando City SC supporters’ heart rates can take another crazy game at this stage is another matter altogether!