After a humbling 1-2 home defeat to FC Cincinnati, it’s back to basics for Orlando City SC who are expected to achieve much more this season than last weekend’s result suggested.
Granted, nothing is decided in Gameweek 3, but the fact we’ve already surrendered a home loss, to lowly FC Cincinnati no less, this will sure be irking Orlando City SC players, management, and supporters.
City had double the amount of shots (18) as the Orange and Blue (9). However, the Lions unfortunately met FC Cincinnati stopper Alec Kann in inspired form.
Despite Orlando City SC getting 6 of their 18 shots on target, former Atlanta United keeper Kann was only beaten once.
This was thanks to Júnior Urso‘s 42nd minute header after Brandon Vazquez opened the scoring on 13 minutes.
Also a former Atlanta player, Vazquez was to have another say, scoring the crucial game winner on 53 minutes.
Unfortunately, it was one of those nights for Orlando City SC who will be eager to erase last Saturday’s loss from their memory.
To draw some positives, Júnior Urso now has three goals in his last four MLS appearances against FC Cincinnati.
Additionally, Facundo Torres earned his first official Orlando City SC assist.
The Uruguayan international set up Urso’s equaliser. This was after the same double act saw City’s goal cruelly ruled out at Chicago Fire on Gameweek 2.
Right now, Orlando City SC need a quick pick-me-up but their task doesn’t get any easier in Gameweeks 4 and 5.
Now flying west for a tough two-game road streak at LA Galaxy then Portland Timbers, we’ll truly see what Oscar Pareja‘s side are made of.
After winning their first two games 1-0 / 0-1, LA Galaxy lost their last game 3-2 at Seattle Sounders.
A storied MLS franchise, Galaxy have failed to qualify for the MLS Cup Playoffs in four of their last five seasons.
This means the pressure is firmly on Greg Vanney to deliver in year two of his Galaxy tenure.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this is the first time Orlando City SC have visited Dignity Health Sports Park since July 2018.
LA Galaxy vs Orlando City SC – 2015/19 head-to-head stats
The last time Orlando City SC faced LA Galaxy, it was a sickening 0-1 home defeat in May 2019.
Especially considering the Carson side registered a single effort on target all game.
This was a Jonathan Dos Santos screamer that proved the difference.
James O’Connor‘s Orlando City SC paid the ultimate price for no cutting edge in the final third and a lack of ruthlessness in front of goal.
Things could’ve been different had Nani converted his 30th minute penalty kick that was saved by David Bingham.
Orlando City SC had 19 attempts on Bingham’s goal.
However, with just seven of these on target, each of Tesho Akindele, Nani and Chris Mueller never really looked convincing at any stage.
Orlando City SC 0 LA Galaxy 1 – Highlights – May 24, 2019 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
There is yet to be a draw in this cross-conference affair. LA Galaxy currently hold THREE wins to City’s TWO.
With 2,512 miles separating Parramore, Orlando, and Carson, California, you’d expect Orlando City SC to have been jaded out west.
But in our two MLS visits to Dignity Health Sports Park so far, City have stuck five goals past the Galaxy – not bad, right?
Unfortunately, this only tells half the tale. Orlando City SC fell 4-2 to LA Galaxy in 2016 and 4-3 in 2018.
On our most recent visit to Carson (2018), the Lions took the lead three times.
This was only for James O’Connor‘s side to meet a guy in inspired form – Mr. Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
The world-famous Swede scored a second-half hat-trick to steal the headlines as he always has throughout his career.
LA Galaxy 4 Orlando City SC 3 – Highlights – July 29, 2018 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
Perhaps it’s the 2,512 miles separating Carson and Parramore, and the subsequent jet-lagged defending?
Because when it’s LA Galaxy vs Orlando City SC / Orlando City SC vs LA Galaxy, we get goals and lots of them!
There have been FOUR OR MORE GOALS SCORED in THREE of the FIVE MLS head-to-heads so far.
On our first ever Major League Soccer visit to Carson in September 2016, City were defeated 4-2 by Galaxy.
Killing Jason Kreis‘ sides’ playoff qualification hopes for good, a demanding two-game road streak told in the StubHub Center sunshine.
Actually going 0-1 up through Kevin Molino, a Giovani dos Santos brace and separate strikes from Alan Gordon and Robbie Keane ensured it was a day to forget in Southern California.
LA Galaxy form
It’s taken a while but Javier Hernández is now delivering after being made MLS’s highest paid player in January 2020.
Combining 2021 and 2022, Chicharito has scored in FOUR of Galaxy’s last FIVE MLS fixtures.
Scoring FIVE goals in this streak, the 33-year-old has now truly acclimatised to Major League Soccer.
That’s bad news for an Orlando City SC side shaken up by Brandon Vazquez’s brace for FC Cincinnati last weekend.
As for Javier Hernández’s latest strike, the Mexican opened the scoring in last weekend’s 3-2 defeat at Seattle Sounders.
Seattle Sounders 3 LA Galaxy 2 – Highlights – March 12, 2022 (Credit: LA Galaxy)
Orlando City SC form
Reassuringly, Orlando City SC have scored in SEVEN of their last EIGHT MLS fixtures when you combine 2021 and 2022.
We all know it should’ve been EIGHT out of EIGHT after Ismir Pekmic and VAR cruelly denied Júnior Urso‘s strike at Chicago Fire.
But to draw a positive, goals aren’t drying up for Oscar Pareja‘s side when they depart Orlando.
For context, Orlando City SC only won TWO of these EIGHT games though, so we must improve on keeping goals out on the road.
Easier said than done of course.
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Don’t forget, LA Galaxy vs Orlando City SC will be shown LIVE on FreeSports at the early time of 19:45 (GMT) on Saturday evening.
You can view our TV Fixture Tracker by clicking here.
DON’T FORGET 🚨 | @LAGalaxy 🆚 @OrlandoCitySC is LIVE on @FreeSports_TV at the early time of 7:45PM this Saturday. 🦁⚽️👍🏽
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— Orlando City UK (@Orlando_CityUK) March 14, 2022
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