How good does it feel to get back to winning ways? Especially when you achieve a 0-1 shutout victory over 2,500 away from home at LA Galaxy.
With Orlando City SC achieving their first ever MLS win in Carson, Oscar Pareja‘s side are bouncing into their second West Coast game in just two weekends – this time at Portland Timbers.
Memories of that frustrating 1-2 home loss to FC Cincinnati have now faded. Especially considering that Facundo Torres scored his first Lions goal last Saturday.
Heading home Ercan Kara‘s first Orlando City SC assist in only the ninth minute, City hung tough in the Southern California sunshine.
Facing 19 LA Galaxy attempts in total, Antônio Carlos was colossal in a backs to the wall encounter.
With just two Orlando City SC attempts on target all game, this fixture had “Papi special” written all over it.
Our first road victory this season, and also our third clean sheet, the 0-1 win was City’s first Pacific Time Zone victory since April 2015 (0-2 at Portland Timbers).
Additionally, the 0-1 result saw Pedro Gallese set a City club record for most clean sheets across all competitions (14).
Sure, it wasn’t pretty at times for Orlando City SC. However, all that matters is the three points, especially when travelling long-haul to the West Coast.
Now visiting Providence Park, a notoriously tough away venue, City will hope Portland Timbers are feeling sorry for themselves.
Timbers suffered a painful 4-1 defeat at FC Dallas on Gameweek 4. Jesús Ferreira scored a first-half hat-trick in only 10 minutes.
The fastest hat-trick in FC Dallas history, Giovanni Savarese will want a response after going 1-2-1 so far in 2022.
Despite Orlando City SC feeling buoyed, City will face Timbers without key men Pedro Gallese, Jhegson Méndez, and Facundo Torres.
The City trio have been called up by Peru, Ecuador and Uruguay for CONMEBOL 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.
Portland Timbers vs Orlando City SC – 2015/20 head-to-head stats
The last time Orlando City SC faced Portland Timbers, it was in heartbreaking circumstances.
Indeed, the Lions were defeated 2-1 in the #MLSisBack Tournament Final after defying all odds to reach that stage.
Taking the Walt Disney World hosted tournament by storm, a win would’ve been City’s first major honour in the MLS era.
Unfortunately, the Lions met an experienced Timbers side in no mood to let Orlando City SC celebrate in “The Happiest Place On Earth”.
On 27 minutes, Larrys Mabiala gave Giovanni Savarese’s side a 1-0 lead but Mauricio Pereyra prodded home a 39th minute equaliser.
Then came agony in the 66th minute as Dario Župarić struck home a point-blank winner that made Timbers #MLSisBack champions.
Things may have been different had referee Ismail Elfath sent Diego Chará off for elbowing Mauricio Pereyra at 0-0.
Frustratingly for Orlando City SC, it was a no-call from Elfath.
Portland Timbers 2 Orlando City SC 1 – Highlights – August 11, 2020 (Credit: Portland Timbers)
Including the #MLSisBack Tournament Final, Orlando City SC have faced Portland Timbers SIX times previously.
Despite City’s mediocrity pre-Oscar Pareja, the Lions have been something of a thorn (pun intended) in Timbers’ side since our 2015 MLS debut.
The Rose City side’s only regular season victory over Orlando City SC came back in September 2017.
An early red card for Jonathan Spector paved the way for Diego Valeri (x2) and Darren Mattocks to punish City 3-0.
Late on, Jason Kreis‘ Lions were reduced to nine men after Baldomero Toledo gave PC his marching orders at Providence Park.
This cross-conference affair usually produces goals and lots of them!
In THREE of the last FIVE MLS head-to-heads, we’ve seen THREE OR MORE goals scored.
Back in April 2018, Orlando City SC miraculously won 3-2 despite trailing 0-2 in the 79th minute.
With Chris Mueller, Sacha Kljestan and Dom Dwyer goals sealing an incredible seven-minute comeback, this remains one of the most dramatic games witnessed at Exploria Stadium to date.
Orlando City SC 3 Portland Timbers 2 – Highlights – April 8, 2018 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
Portland Timbers form
Going 1-2-1 so far in 2022, Portland Timbers currently sit ninth in the Western Conference.
Giovanni Savarese’s aim is to erase memories of Timbers’ 2021 MLS Cup Final heartache against New York City FC.
On a personal note, one man who has started the season strong is Yimmi Chará, the younger brother of team-mate Diego Chará.
Yimmi Chará scored in Timbers’ first two games of the season.
He notched in a 2-2 home opener draw with New England Revolution before scoring at Los Angeles FC (1-1).
Already registering two assists also, the Colombian is a big danger to the Lions.
Orlando City SC form
Despite it being early in the season, Orlando City SC can take huge encouragement from three clean sheets so far.
Pedro Gallese‘s shutouts against CF Montréal, Chicago Fire and LA Galaxy saw him set a City record for most clean sheets (14) across all competitions.
All in all, it means Orlando City SC have only been behind for 71 out of 381 minutes (including stoppage time) so far this season.
Building a stingy defensive record is the basis of a successful season. Therefore, it’s great to see Orlando City SC setting out as they mean to continue.
Admittedly, the Lions will have to do without Pedro Gallese (Peru call-up) for this game with Mason Stajduhar likely earning his 2022 season debut.
LA Galaxy 0 Orlando City SC 1 – Highlights – March 19, 2022 (Credit: LA Galaxy)
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Don’t forget, Portland Timbers vs Orlando City SC will be shown LIVE on FreeSports on Sunday evening at 21:05 (GMT).
You can view our TV Fixture Tracker by clicking here.
DON’T FORGET 🚨 | @TimbersFC 🆚 @OrlandoCitySC is LIVE on @FreeSports_TV at 9:05PM this Sunday. 🦁⚽️👍🏽
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— Orlando City UK (@Orlando_CityUK) March 21, 2022
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