After a busy off-season of refreshment, anticipation fills the air as Oscar Pareja‘s Orlando City SC kick off the 2022 Major League Soccer campaign.
Starting at home for an eighth consecutive MLS season, City face CF Montréal after our 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs heartache at Nashville SC in November.
This year, Orlando City SC will aim to reach the MLS Cup Playoffs for a third successive season. This time, we must do so with a new-look attack.
Still able to call upon familiar and reliable faces in goal, defence and midfield, the off-season saw Daryl Dike, Nani, and Chris Mueller all depart for Europe.
Embarking on their first full season in ownership, the Wilf family flexed their financial muscle to help source adequate attacking replacements.
Welcoming two new Designated Players to Central Florida in both Ercan Kara and Facundo Torres, the duo boast significant attacking pedigree.
In Kara, the giant 6 ft 4 in Austrian target man will give Orlando City SC‘s attack a new dimension. Our new number 9 scored almost one goal every two league games at Rapid Wien.
In Torres, the 21-year-old Uruguay international forward is one of South America’s highest rated young talents.
It was quite a coup for Orlando City SC to land Facundo Torres‘ signature after a long and much publicised transfer pursuit.
In his first two years in charge, Oscar Pareja has undoubtedly turned around the Lions’ losing culture in MLS.
But in 2022, the Orlando City SC Front Office and supporters will be demanding a deeper playoffs run and shot at ultimate MLS Cup glory.
It won’t be easy to achieve, especially with our roster turnover and our Eastern Conference rivals strengthening. However, this is Oscar Pareja‘s objective in year three.
As for 2022 home opener opponents CF Montréal, Wilfried Nancy’s side were denied post-season soccer by Orlando City SC back on 2021 MLS Decision Day.
Winning a crunch game 0-2, perhaps revenge is on CF Montréal’s mind who boast a strong record in Central Florida.
On Wednesday night, CF Montréal earned a huge psychological boost heading into Sunday too.
They defeated Liga MX’s Santos Laguna 3-0 (1-3 on aggregate) to book their place in the 2022 CONCACAF Champions League quarter-finals.
Orlando City SC will hope the Quebec side are more fatigued than inspired right now.
Orlando City SC vs CF Montréal – 2015/21 head-to-head stats
Last meeting on 2021 MLS Decision Day, Orlando City SC won a make-or-break game 0-2 at Stade Saputo.
A first victory in five regular season games, exactly when we needed one, Orlando City SC played with true grit and heart.
In truth, on another night, CF Montréal could’ve won the game.
Tension reached fever pitch in the 23rd minute as Pedro Gallese made an incredible point-blank stop to deny Joaquín Torres.
Keeping it 0-0 by half-time, this preceded Jhegson Méndez‘s wonder strike that left Stade Saputo shell-shocked.
On 55 minutes, the Ecuadorian unleashed an unstoppable strike from outside the 18-yard box that looped beyond Sebastian Breza.
Jhegson Méndez‘s first Orlando City SC goal in MLS, it was an incredible time to open your account.
Then City survived a handball shout and a disallowed goal (VERY narrowly offside) by Romell Quioto.
In a game they needed to win, CF Montréal became increasingly agitated. The pressure proved too much for Rudy Camacho on 79 minutes.
Inflicting an ill-timed lunge on Daryl Dike, the Frenchman saw red before Dike sealed the crucial victory with an ice cool finish on 86 minutes.
CF Montréal 0 Orlando City SC 2 – Highlights – November 7, 2021 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
Draws are a rarity in this international MLS affair with Orlando City SC and CF Montréal sharing SEVEN victories each.
Prior to the Lions’ aforementioned 0-2 win on 2021 MLS Decision Day, CF Montréal had twice frustrated City in 2021.
Visiting Exploria Stadium in both September and October, the Quebec side earned 2-4 and 1-1 results in the 407.
Hampering our chances of reaching the 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs, fortunately it was third time lucky for Orlando City SC over CF Montréal in 2021.
Orlando City SC 1 CF Montréal 1 – Highlights – October 20, 2021 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
Given the vast distances travelled, we all know home advantage is even more of a big deal in Major League Soccer.
When it comes to Orlando City SC vs CF Montréal / CF Montréal vs Orlando City SC however, you can throw all logic out of the window!
Quite remarkably, the home side has failed to win the last SEVEN MLS regular season head-to-heads.
For whatever reason, playing in enemy territory seems to raise the levels of both Orlando City SC and CF Montréal.
The last time this fixture produced a home win was way back in June 2018.
An Ignacio Piatti brace and Amro Tarek own goal saw Rémi Garde’s CF Montréal defeat Orlando City SC 3-0.
Orlando City SC form
There’s way too many draws than wins but nevertheless, Orlando City SC remain undefeated in SEVEN MLS home opener fixtures so far.
A good omen heading into this clash against CF Montréal, right?
- 2015 – Orlando City SC 1 New York City FC 1
- 2016 – Orlando City SC 2 Real Salt Lake 2
- 2017 – Orlando City SC 1 New York City FC 0
- 2018 – Orlando City SC 1 D.C. United 1
- 2019 – Orlando City SC 2 New York City FC 2
- 2020 – Orlando City SC 0 Real Salt Lake 0
- 2021 – Orlando City SC 0 Atlanta United 0
Casting our minds back to last season’s home opener, it was more solid than spectacular by Orlando City SC.
On a boiling hot day in Central Florida, both sides looked leggy as they acclimatised to competitive MLS action again.
Orlando City SC had the best chances to win the game with City debutant Alexandre Pato going close twice.
Unfortunately suffering a long-term injury during this game, the Brazilian has only made three City appearances since.
Orlando City SC 0 Atlanta United 0 – Highlights – April 17, 2021 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
CF Montréal form
We’re sorry for being the bearer of bad news but CF Montréal have started their last three MLS campaigns strong.
Winning their last THREE consecutive MLS opening fixtures, hopefully Orlando City SC can break the streak in 2022.
- 2019 – San Jose Earthquakes 1 Montreal Impact 2
- 2020 – Montreal Impact 2 New England Revolution 1
- 2021 – CF Montréal 4 Toronto FC 2
It’s actually the second successive season that CF Montréal are starting a new MLS campaign in Florida.
On opening day last year, the Canadian Classique took place at Inter Miami’s DRV PNK Stadium with CF Montréal and Toronto FC both locked out of Canada due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.
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