There’s a break (if you’d call it that) from Major League Soccer play as Orlando City SC welcome Premier League giants Arsenal to Exploria Stadium for the FC Series Clash of Nations 2022.
Forging part of the Gunners’ 2022/23 pre-season preparations, Mikel Arteta’s side are adored around the world and this glamorous friendly fixture will underline Orlando City SC‘s name on the global soccer map.
The Orlando City SC vs Arsenal fixture was announced back on April 19. Looking back, the Lions were a day away from opening their 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup campaign against Tampa Bay Rowdies.
A campaign proving very successful, City will contest a semi-final with New York Red Bulls in just seven days’ time.
In total, Orlando City SC are contesting seven fixtures in July alone. On paper, this fixture pile-up looks really tough to navigate.
The busy schedule might see Oscar Pareja rest some key players for this Arsenal friendly. But maybe not, considering the allure of playing against the Gunners?
After Wednesday’s Orlando City SC vs Arsenal game, the Gunners will then face London rivals Chelsea at Camping World Stadium on Saturday.
The latter game forges part of the 2022 Florida Cup. As for the FC Series Clash of Nations 2022, this is a national expansion of the pre-existing tournament.
Prior to arriving in Central Florida, Arsenal have contested three pre-season friendlies so far.
On July 2, the Gunners defeated Ipswich Town 5-1 before beating 1. FC Nürnberg 3-5 at Max-Morlock-Stadion.
Most recently was a 2-0 win against fellow Premier League opposition Everton in Baltimore, Maryland on July 16.
English opposition head-to-head stats
Orlando City SC vs Arsenal will be the first time in six years that City have faced English opposition in a friendly.
The last time the Lions faced opposition from across the pond was back in July 2016.
With Orlando City SC having close ties to Stoke City via the Rawlins family, the Potters visited Titan Soccer Complex in Melbourne for a mid-season matchup.
The second time that the Lions had faced Stoke City, a Potters side coached by Mark Hughes achieved a narrow 1-2 victory on the Space Coast.
A stunning strike from Bojan Krkic won the game (1-2) after Mame Biram Diouf opened the scoring (0-1) before Hadji Barry levelled up (1-1) shortly after.
Orlando City SC 1 Stoke City 2 – Highlights – July 28, 2016 (Credit: Stoke City FC)
This year it’s Arsenal arriving in Central Florida but in July 2015, it was West Bromwich Albion who provided the friendly competition for Orlando City SC.
Callum McManaman put Tony Pulis’ Baggies 0-1 up at the Citrus Bowl on 14 minutes.
Just when the English side thought it’d be a walk in the park, Brazilian legend Kaká inspired a rousing comeback for the hosts.
In the end, Orlando City SC ran out 3-1 winners with Carlos Rivas and Bryan Róchez bagging the other two goals in a noteworthy friendly victory.
Orlando City SC 3 West Bromwich Albion 1 – Highlights – July 15, 2015 (Credit: West Bromwich Albion)
Wednesday evening’s encounter with Arsenal will be the SIXTH Orlando City SC friendly against English opposition.
The Lions’ first ever match-up against an English side came back in their first ever USL campaign in July 2011.
This was when Bolton Wanderers ran out 1-3 winners at the Citrus Bowl.
Goals from Kevin Davies, Darren Pratley and Martin Petrov saw the Trotters prevail.
Since then, Orlando City SC have beaten Newcastle United 1-0, lost 0-1 to Stoke City, beaten West Bromwich Albion 3-1, and lost 1-2 to Stoke City.
Orlando City SC form
Study the FIVE previous friendly fixtures against English opposition and you’ll find that Orlando City SC have scored AT LEAST ONE GOAL in FOUR of those FIVE games.
With the 0-1 loss to Stoke City in July 2012 proving the exception, we’re all more than aware that given Orlando City SC‘s expansive playing style, we usually bag our fair share of goals!
- July 17, 2011 – Orlando City SC 1 Bolton Wanderers 3
- July 23, 2011 – Orlando City SC 1 Newcastle United 0
- July 28, 2012 – Orlando City SC 0 Stoke City 1
- July 15, 2015 – Orlando City SC 3 West Bromwich Albion 1
- July 28, 2016 – Orlando City SC 1 Stoke City 2
Arsenal form
Arsenal are counting down to their 2022/23 Premier League curtain raiser at Crystal Palace on Friday, August 5.
So far this pre-season, Mikel Arteta’s side have faced three sides – Ipswich Town, 1. FC Nürnberg, and Everton.
Back on July 2, the Gunners thrashed EFL League One side Ipswich Town 5-1 in a behind-closed-doors friendly.
On July 8, there was a crazy 3-5 victory against 1. FC Nürnberg at Max-Morlock-Stadion, a game in which new signing Gabriel Jesus scored a brace.
The Brazilian striker unofficially opened his Arsenal account in just 90 seconds after replacing Emile Smith Rowe from the bench.
It’s clear Gunners supporters can expect big things from their £45 million arrival.
Most recently, Arsenal beat Everton 2-0 in the “The Charm City Match”, a friendly hosted at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland.
Another Gabriel Jesus goal and Bukayo Saka strike sealed the Gunners’ third consecutive pre-season victory.
1. FC Nürnberg 3 Arsenal 5 – Highlights – July 8, 2022 (Credit: Arsenal)
…
Don’t forget, Orlando City SC vs Arsenal will be shown LIVE on Arsenal.com and the Arsenal App for £5.99 (pay-per-view) at 00:30 (GMT) in the early hours of Thursday morning.
You can view our TV Fixture Tracker by clicking here.
GOOD NEWS 🚨 | @OrlandoCitySC 🆚 @Arsenal will be shown LIVE on https://t.co/q5H0e0yYHr and the Arsenal App in the early hours of July 21. 😄📺⚽#CHEvARS also included for £5.99. 👍🏽
VIEW TV TRACKER 📺: https://t.co/KV9JvpAA0o#OCTwitter #ORLvARS #FCSeries #OrlandoCity #MLSUK pic.twitter.com/dmwDYx9UNv
— Orlando City UK (@Orlando_CityUK) July 17, 2022
…
Support Orlando City UK
Passionate about what we do, Orlando City UK content will always be free. The most important thing for us is sharing our love of Orlando City SC with you all and donations are by no means expected. However, if you enjoy our content, a token towards the regular maintenance of Orlando City UK is hugely appreciated!
