After a bitterly disappointing 0-1 home defeat to fierce rivals Atlanta United on Wednesday, Orlando City SC now face Toronto FC in their penultimate home game of the 2022 MLS regular season.
Perilously sitting just two points above the red line as things stand, Oscar Pareja‘s Lions only have four nail-biting games left to seal a place in the 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs.
Casting our minds back to Wednesday (if we have to!), Orlando City SC didn’t bring their shooting boots in a hugely frustrating affair.
Unfortunately, it’s been a case of after the Lord Mayor’s show for the Lions this September.
After triumphantly lifting the 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on September 7, City have lost two MLS games to Philadelphia Union and Atlanta United in quick succession.
While nobody can take away our incredible U.S. Open Cup achievement, Oscar Pareja‘s side have to get their heads back in the game, and fast.
Otherwise, our hopes of reaching the post-season may be quickly extinguished.
Sure, our build-up play was neat and tidy against Atlanta United. However, as we’ve been saying far too much in 2022, there was no cutting edge.
Besides Mauricio Pereyra attempting several defence-splitting passes, the rest of Orlando City SC‘s attack was limp and unconvincing on the night.
With Ercan Kara non-existent and Facundo Torres nullified in what was Atlanta United’s most important game of the season, The Five Stripes’ hustle won out in the end.
On 72 minutes, the talented Thiago Almada drove at the City defence, combining with Andrew Gutman before shimmying past Antônio Carlos and slotting past Pedro Gallese.
Admittedly a great play from the visitors, Orlando City SC had no answer and resorted to several potshots out of desperation, strikes that Carlos Rivas would’ve been proud of!
It’s never nice to lose to your rivals, especially at home and especially considering we could’ve all but ended Atlanta United’s post-season hopes.
Defeating The Five Stripes just THREE times in SEVENTEEN attempts, the Georgia side, albeit really poor this year, continue to grind City supporters’ gears.
Looking ahead, because we have to quickly, Toronto FC are the next visitors to Exploria Stadium.
Despite adding Federico Bernardeschi, Lorenzo Insigne, and Mark-Anthony Kaye this mid-season, Bob Bradley’s side still languish thirteenth in the East with just three games remaining.
A hugely disappointing campaign from TFC’s perspective, the Canadian side still boast several dangerous attacking weapons and Orlando City SC will have to bring their A-game to achieve three points and crucial breathing room in the East.
Not playing in midweek, The Reds’ last MLS game was at Atlanta United on September 10, a 4-2 defeat at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Orlando City SC vs Toronto FC – 2015/22 head-to-head stats
Last meeting on May 14, Orlando City SC achieved a last gasp smash-and-grab 0-1 victory at BMO Field.
There were just three stoppage time minutes remaining when Kyle Smith headed home a late, late Alexandre Pato corner.
With the duo replacing Ercan Kara and Facundo Torres from the bench in the 76th minute, it appeared Oscar Pareja was settling for a road draw.
But when you can call upon the genuine quality that Alexandre Pato provides, his pinpoint corner made all the difference.
Toronto FC 0 Orlando City SC 1 – Highlights – May 14, 2022 (Credit: Toronto FC)
In the early years of this Eastern Conference matchup, Toronto FC dominated affairs.
The sheer mention of Jozy Altidore and Sebastian Giovinco used to send shivers up City supporters’ spines.
However, in recent years, Orlando City SC have quickly been catching up with their Canadian opposition.
Right now, TFC hold EIGHT victories to the Lions’ FIVE.
With City unbeaten in the last FIVE MLS meetings, going 3-2-0 in this streak, you can see how the power has shifted in this game series.
Despite Orlando City SC bossing proceedings in recent years, games between this duo have been tight.
THREE of the last FOUR Major League Soccer head-to-heads have been separated by just ONE goal.
The last time Toronto FC played Orlando City SC at Exploria Stadium (June 2021), City prevailed 2-3 in a highly entertaining game.
Officially a Toronto FC home game due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, there were three goals in the opening 10 minutes.
After Tesho Akindele scored Orlando City SC‘s second fastest ever MLS goal (50 seconds), Nani doubled City’s lead by the eighth minute.
This was a handsome lead considering Toronto FC looked bright too. However, Ayo Akinola and Jonathan Osorio goals dragged Chris Armas’ side back into the game by half-time.
After half-time instructions from Oscar Pareja, Orlando City SC tightened up in the second-half and hung tough before Júnior Urso swept home a memorable game winner.
Cue the amazing scenes of Orlando City SC players chanting with the adoring Iron Lion Firm and Ruckus on a terrace high above West Church Street post-game.
Toronto FC 2 Orlando City SC 3 – Highlights – June 19, 2021 (Credit: Toronto FC)
Orlando City SC form
Depressingly, Atlanta United’s 0-1 win at Exploria Stadium in midweek now means Orlando City SC have lost more home games than they’ve won this year.
Winning SEVEN and losing EIGHT of our FIFTEEN home games so far this season, there have remarkably been no draws.
A case of all or nothing at home, we’ve simply been unable to Defend The Fortress nearly as much as we’d expect.
Our home form has been baffling to comprehend, especially considering how dialled in Orlando City SC were in the six home ties that saw us lift the 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
In this rollercoaster ride of a season, Orlando City SC need two big final home performances, first against Toronto FC, and then Columbus Crew on 2022 MLS Decision Day.
Toronto FC form
The super talented Lorenzo Insigne was the headline-making mid-season arrival for Toronto FC.
However, Federico Bernardeschi has managed to upstage his fellow Italian international in a red jersey so far.
Joining The Reds as a Designated Player on July 15, Bernardeschi has wasted no time in making his European pedigree tell.
Scoring EIGHT goals in his last 10 MLS appearances for Toronto FC, FIVE of these have actually been penalties.
Orlando City SC daren’t concede a penalty kick with Bernardeschi the man now trusted from 12 yards after Lorenzo Insigne saw his penalty saved by Djordje Petrović at New England Revolution on July 30.
Atlanta United 4 Toronto FC 2 – Highlights – September 10, 2022 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
…
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!
