After the thrill of defeating Florida rivals Inter Miami 4-2 on penalties (1-1 A.E.T.) in the 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Round of 16, Orlando City SC now face Nashville SC in the quarter-finals.
With Nashville SC switching from Eastern to Western Conference in 2022, this is the clubs’ only scheduled meeting this year, and City will be out to avenge their 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs elimination.
Casting our minds back to May 25, Orlando City SC had to go through the agonising ordeal of penalty kicks after 120+ minutes.
Fortunately, the Lions were perfect from 12 yards.
Converting all four of their penalty kicks, Mason Stajduhar saved Bryce Duke’s effort and DeAndre Yedlin skied his PK to see Orlando City SC prevail.
In fairness, Inter Miami always battle hard when facing Orlando City SC but Oscar Pareja‘s side were dominant for large periods.
Dumbfounded as to how we weren’t leading at half-time, Inter Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender was outstanding on the night.
Making a plethora of smart saves, you wondered whether Callender’s confidence would see him prevail in penalty kicks.
It wasn’t to be for The Herons however, although Orlando City SC were shellshocked when Jean Mota opened the scoring just four minutes into extra-time (0-1).
With City spurning several chances, you wondered whether it was one of those nights, but Facundo Torres had other ideas.
Barely three minutes after Jean Mota’s near post strike, the outstanding Torres scored a beautiful solo equaliser (1-1).
In a gritty extra-time period, Inter Miami almost eliminated City at the death on 125 minutes.
Saving the day to our relief, sub Michael Halliday was on hand to get a crucial block on what would’ve been a buzzer beater strike from sub Leonardo Campana.
The PK victory saw the Lions win a shootout for the sixth consecutive time in our Major League Soccer history.
As for our quarter-final opponents Nashville SC, Gary Smith’s side have only faced two opponents to get here.
In the Round of 32, the Music City side narrowly defeated Atlanta United 3-2 (A.E.T.) at GEODIS Park. Then they defeated USL Championship side Louisville City 1-2 in the Round of 16.
Should City defeat Nashville SC, they have hosting priority for the semi-final stage and final too – a huge incentive!
Orlando City SC vs Nashville SC – 2020/21 head-to-head stats
The last time Orlando City SC faced Nashville SC, the Lions were painfully eliminated from the 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs.
The Lions went down 3-1 at Nissan Stadium back in November 2021.
A Hany Mukhtar brace and late Jhonder Cádiz strike saw Gary Smith’s side prevail past the first round.
Even more painful was the fact City started the game fantastically, taking the lead through Daryl Dike on 14 minutes.
Something of a goalscoring nemesis against Nashville SC, unfortunately our 2021 post-season journey was over in the blink of an eye.
Nashville SC 3 Orlando City SC 1 – Highlights – November 23, 2021 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
There’s no love lost between Orlando City SC and Nashville SC supporters, especially after the past two MLS head-to-heads.
Before Nashville SC eliminated us from the 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs, there was a controversial 1-1 draw on October 31.
With the game tied 1-1 deep in stoppage time, Alexandre Pato struck Joe Willis’ bar before Andrés Perea prodded home what he thought was an incredible playoff clinching goal.
This was only for referee Allen Chapman to incorrectly rule the goal out through VAR, and deny City a clinched spot in the 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs.
While Chapman and his VAR crew didn’t have this particular angle of slow motion footage to call upon, it still seemed highly unlikely that PRO Referees would overturn the goal at the time.
After all, it was certainly not “clear and obvious” that Daryl Dike had fouled Alistair Johnston at all in the build-up.
But to Orlando City SC‘s and even rival supporters’ disbelief, it only took Allen Chapman a matter of seconds to rule out this legitimate goal.
Had it not been for Orlando City SC finally clinching a spot in the 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs on 2021 MLS Decision Day, PRO Referees would’ve had blood on their hands.
Orlando City SC 1 Nashville SC 1 – Highlights – October 31, 2021 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
With 630+ minutes elapsed in this Florida vs. Tennessee affair, BOTH Orlando City SC and Nashville SC have scored in all SEVEN MLS head-to-heads.
Always serving up entertaining encounters, Orlando City SC and Nashville SC have been evenly matched foes.
Orlando City SC‘s only MLS victory (3-1) over Gary Smith’s side so far came back in August 2020.
A breakout game for young Daryl Dike, the now USMNT striker bagged a brace in a 3-1 victory to set a new MLS record for a rookie.
Scoring three goals in his first two career starts, Orlando City SC actually started the night on the back foot.
With David Romney putting Nashville SC into an early 0-1 lead, Oscar Pareja‘s side didn’t panic.
After Chris Mueller equalised just six minutes later, Orlando City SC seized the initiative in this one.
The second-half brace from Daryl Dike was particularly pleasing.
Handed a big opportunity with Dom Dwyer and Tesho Akindele missing, he took it with both hands.
Orlando City SC form
Orlando City SC have been fortunate enough to play all three of their 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup ties at Exploria Stadium so far.
After our 2-1 win over Tampa Bay Rowdies in the third round, City defeated Philadelphia Union 2-1 (Round of 32).
Then came that super memorable Round of 16 win over Inter Miami in the Round of 16 (1-1, 4-2 on penalties A.E.T.).
A pattern is that BOTH SIDES SCORED in all three games.
Given how tight Orlando City SC vs Nashville SC games have been in MLS, and the stakes of this game, this quarter-final could easily go the distance.
Should the Lions defeat Nashville SC, they have hosting priority for the semi-final stage and final too.
Nashville SC form
When you’re talking about talismanic Major League Soccer players, Hany Mukhtar is right near the top of that list.
Sure, 2020 was a transitional debut MLS campaign for the German forward.
After acclimatising however, the Nashville SC number 10 has now exploded into being one of the league’s best stars.
Not only has Hany Mukhtar scored six goals across his last six MLS appearances for Nashville SC.
He’s also scored in both Nashville SC’s Round of 32 and Round of 16 U.S. Open Cup victories over Atlanta United (3-2 A.E.T.) and Louisville City (1-2) too.
The latter goal was an 89th minute heartbreaker at Lynn Family Stadium back on May 25.
Nashville SC breathed a sigh of relief as they narrowly avoided a cup upset against their USL Championship opposition.
Louisville City 1 Nashville SC 2 – Highlights – May 25, 2022 (Credit: Nashville Soccer Club)
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