In a rollercoaster ride of a season for Oscar Pareja‘s Orlando City SC, the Lions have started winning when it matters, achieving a much-needed 1-2 victory at Charlotte FC last Sunday.
Not only our second consecutive away win in MLS, our win at Bank of America Stadium is only the second time this season that City have achieved back-to-back league victories.
With just six points separating fifth-placed Orlando City SC (36) and thirteenth-placed Atlanta United (30), City are only two points above the red line themselves.
The fact we’ve just secured six points from six on the road, yet still sit perilously close to the red line, shows how super tight the Eastern Conference is right now.
After last Saturday evening’s results, Orlando City SC found themselves in ninth. By Sunday evening, we climbed back to fifth.
All in all, there is little margin for error with just eight regular season fixtures remaining.
Casting our minds back to last weekend’s win at Charlotte FC, the first-half was closely fought between two teams aiming to reach the post-season.
Things opened up in the second-half when Ercan Kara neatly dispatched a piercing through ball from Facundo Torres on 62 minutes.
Missing multiple games through injury prior to the match, it was a fitting way for the Austrian to return to the lineup heading down the stretch.
Orlando City SC surrendered their lead just four minutes after Kara’s opener however.
After a devilish pin-point cross from Kamil Jóźwiak, McKinze Gaines connected perfectly to put a point-blank header past Pedro Gallese.
Despite the setback, Orlando City SC weren’t to be denied.
On 89 minutes, Júnior Urso was strong to fend off Anton Walkes before laying in Tesho Akindele who went one on one with Kristijan Kahlina.
Bearing down on goal, Kahlina was equal to Tesho’s first strike but could only put it right back into the path of Akindele who dispatched the rebound with his left foot.
Cue scenes of joy on the field, the away dugout and the small pocket of Bank of America Stadium populated by the travelling Iron Lion Firm and Ruckus.
Looking forward, Sunday’s opponents New York City FC just arrested a three-game losing streak in MLS by winning 0-2 at Chicago Fire last weekend.
Currently playing under interim head coach Nick Cushing, NYCFC are currently third in the East on 45 points, six behind leaders Philadelphia Union.
Orlando City SC vs New York City FC – 2015/21 head-to-head stats
The less said the better regarding Orlando City SC‘s most recent meeting with 2015 expansion rivals New York City FC.
With the Lions thumped 5-0 at Yankee Stadium last July, it was the first time Orlando City SC had been disgraced under Oscar Pareja’s reign.
This result equalled Orlando City SC‘s worst all-time defeat in MLS following a 5-0 loss to Toronto FC (August 2015) and a 6-1 loss to Philadelphia Union (October 2017).
As the story goes, Ronny Deila’s NYCFC went from strength to strength on their way to becoming 2021 MLS Cup champions.
New York City FC 5 Orlando City SC 0 – Highlights – July 25, 2021 (Credit: New York City FC)
The aforementioned 5-0 victory by New York City FC drew The Pigeons to within one victory of catching Orlando City SC in this series.
Facing New York City FC more than any other MLS opponent, there’s now been NINETEEN league meetings between these 2015 expansion rivals.
Holding SEVEN league victories to New York City FC’s SIX, we’ve also seen a lot of draws (SIX) in this super competitive Eastern Conference matchup.
With that 5-0 humiliation being the exception, the Lions are unbeaten against NYCFC in SEVEN of the last EIGHT head-to-heads across all competitions.
This includes MLS, U.S. Open Cup, #MLSisBack Tournament, and 2020 MLS Cup Playoffs play.
Heading into this game, an interesting footnote is that Orlando City SC have taken the lead in FIVE of the last SIX MLS head-to-heads.
This includes New York City FC’s last visit to Exploria Stadium (1-1) in May 2021.
On 52 minutes, Nani struck a sublime opener, his third goal in his opening four games of 2021.
Seemingly creating his own Goal of the Season competition, Orlando City SC recklessly surrendered this slender lead on 77 minutes.
Had it not been for João Moutinho carelessly conceding Taty Castellanos’ penalty, we may well have stolen all three points.
Orlando City SC 1 New York City FC 1 – Highlights – May 8, 2021 (Credit: New York City FC)
Orlando City SC form
For the most part, Orlando City SC haven’t been struggling to take the initiative in Major League Soccer fixtures.
Oscar Pareja‘s Lions have taken the lead in SIX of their last EIGHT MLS fixtures, going 3-2-3 in this streak.
Prior to the New York Red Bulls (0-1) and Charlotte FC (1-2) victories, Orlando City SC had seemed to lose their resilience and never-say-die attitude.
But on the evidence of the last two games, the team have been fighting hard for Oscar Pareja.
Successfully navigating seven unbearable minutes of stoppage time at Charlotte FC, hearts were in mouths when Brandt Bronico’s strike was mere inches away from beating Pedro Gallese at the death.
Charlotte FC 1 Orlando City SC 2 – Highlights – August 21, 2022 (Credit: Charlotte FC)
New York City FC form
Interim NYCFC head coach since June 13, Englishman Nick Cushing still done very well in the main.
Overseeing four straight victories throughout July, Cushing has steadied the ship since Ronny Deila’s untimely departure to Standard Liège.
Despite Cushing’s fast start, NYCFC have struggled lately.
Recently suffering three consecutive MLS defeats to Columbus Crew (3-2), Inter Miami (3-2) and Charlotte FC (1-3), NYCFC achieved a much-needed 0-2 win at Chicago Fire last time out.
Their first real rocky period this season, hopefully Orlando City SC can take advantage.
No longer able to call upon the imperious Taty Castellanos who joined Girona on loan, The Pigeons are weaker without their talisman.
…
Don’t forget, Orlando City SC vs New York City FC will be shown LIVE on FreeSports at 00:50 (GMT) in the early hours of Monday morning.
You can view our TV Fixture Tracker by clicking here.
GOOD NEWS 🚨 | @OrlandoCitySC 🆚 @NYCFC will be shown LIVE on @FreeSports_TV at 00:50AM in the early hours of August 29. 😄📺⚽👏🏽
VIEW TV TRACKER 📺: https://t.co/KV9JvpAA0o#OCTwitter #ORLvNYC #OrlandoCity #NYCFC #MLSUK pic.twitter.com/CGti58ztdH
— Orlando City UK (@Orlando_CityUK) August 22, 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!
