Erasing memories of that 0-3 loss to New York Red Bulls with a 2-1 win over MLS new boys Charlotte FC, Orlando City SC now start a three-game away MLS streak at CF Montréal.
With this Stade Saputo visit preceding two more MLS away games at Toronto FC and Austin FC, Oscar Pareja‘s Lions currently sit third in the Eastern Conference.
There was much to admire about Orlando City SC‘s 2-1 victory over Charlotte FC last Saturday.
Although the scoreline looked close, City were bar far the superior side. In truth, they kept CLTFC at bay for much of the ninety.
In a dominating first-half, Ruan was the star of the show. The Brazilian full back put in undoubtedly his best performance of the season so far.
Prior to the game, Ruan had been struggling with confidence and form, but you’d never have known it.
On 16 minutes, Benji Michel cleverly shimmied past Jaylin Lindsey before sending a left-footed cross into Charlotte FC’s penalty area.
Gobbling up the cross was Ruan who had the freedom of Charlotte FC’s penalty area to score his first goal of the season.
Sprinting to City’s technical area to put on a mask of “The Flash” in celebration, it was a big moment for the 26-year-old.
Doing his confidence the world of good, the real Ruan was most certainly back, especially right before half-time.
After Charlotte FC naively brought all 10 field players up for a late first-half corner, Orlando City SC ruthlessly punished them in a classic counter attack.
After Mauricio Pereyra looped away a clearance, cue caps of a sprinting Ruan gallivanting up the pitch at blistering pace.
With only green space between himself and Kristijan Kahlina, Ruan smartly saw Facundo Torres to his right before assisting the Uruguayan for an easy second goal.
Executed like a PlayStation move on FIFA, this was Facundo Torres‘ first MLS goal at Exploria Stadium, and already his sixth goal involvement of 2022.
Orlando City SC never do things easy however, and the second-half was somewhat tense.
Especially when Charlotte FC halved the deficit with a cool Christian Fuchs penalty after Rodrigo Schlegel felled Alan Franco.
From here, Oscar Pareja‘s Lions had to hang tough but they showcased their defensive acumen to prevail 2-1.
Now facing CF Montréal, this will be far from an easy game at Stade Saputo.
Wilfried Nancy’s Quebec side are enjoying a good season, going 4-2-3 so far, and sitting one place below Orlando City SC in fourth right now.
Defeating Atlanta United 2-1 last weekend, former Lion Kamal Miller opened the scoring before Joaquín Torres scored a late winner.
CF Montréal vs Orlando City SC – 2015/22 head-to-head stats
The last time Orlando City SC faced CF Montréal, the Lions prevailed 2-0 to win our 2022 MLS home opener.
A much-improved second-half performance saw Oscar Pareja‘s side start the season with a super satisfying clean sheet.
On 49 minutes, a trademark right wing raid from Ruan resulted in Alexandre Pato scoring his first ever City goal.
Then came the crucial second goal 10 minutes later as Benji Michel prodded home his fifteenth career MLS goal.
This was only the second time in eight MLS seasons that Orlando City SC headed into Gameweek 2 with three points already on the board.
Orlando City SC 2 CF Montréal 0 – Highlights – February 27, 2022 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
Draws are a rarity in this international MLS affair with Orlando City SC holding EIGHT victories to CF Montréal’s SEVEN.
City’s last visit to Stade Saputo came on 2021 MLS Decision Day with the Lions winning a make-or-break game 0-2 in Quebec.
A first victory in five regular season games, exactly when we needed one, Orlando City SC played with true grit and heart.
On 55 minutes, Jhegson Méndez unleashed an unstoppable strike from outside the 18-yard box that looped beyond Sebastian Breza.
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 our place in the 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs with an ice cool finish on 86 minutes.
CF Montréal 0 Orlando City SC 2 – Highlights – November 7, 2021 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
Remarkably, our most recent 2-0 win over CF Montréal was the first time in EIGHT meetings that the home side has won.
When it comes to CF Montréal vs Orlando City SC / Orlando City SC vs CF Montréal, it seems you can throw all logic out of the window!
Given the vast distances travelled in Major League Soccer, you’d expect strong home form to prevail.
However, for whatever reason, playing in enemy territory seems to raise the levels of both Orlando City SC and CF Montréal.
CF Montréal form
Much like Arsenal in the Premier League, CF Montréal started the season with three defeats before bouncing back admirably.
After 2-0, 1-2 and 4-1 defeats to Orlando City SC, Philadelphia Union and New York City FC, Wilfried Nancy’s side have responded well.
Unbeaten in their last SIX MLS fixtures since, this hot streak has included FOUR victories and TWO draws.
Last weekend, CF Montréal finished with a flourish to overcome Atlanta United 2-1.
After Kamal Miller headed home a Djordje Mihailovic free-kick on 4 minutes, Marcelino Moreno equalised five minutes into the second-half.
The Canadian side had the last laugh however.
On 82 minutes, the smallest man on the pitch Joaquín Torres rose highest to head home a fantastic Kamal Miller cross.
CF Montréal 2 Atlanta United 1 – Highlights – April 30, 2022 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
Orlando City SC form
We are well accustomed to Orlando City SC‘s style of play in MLS road games under Oscar Pareja.
Stay compact, bunker in, and hit the opposition on the counter attack.
This will likely prove the game plan yet again in Quebec with Orlando City SC impressively unbeaten in FOUR road games so far this season.
In these games, there’s been UNDER 2.5 GOALS scored with City ruthlessly taking their chances when they presented themselves.
Winning on our last TWO visits to Stade Saputo, it’s been a happy hunting ground in recent MLS history.
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Don’t forget, CF Montréal vs Orlando City SC will be shown LIVE on Premier Sports 2 at the early time of 21:05 (GMT) on Saturday evening.
You can view our TV Fixture Tracker by clicking here.
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