Win and we’re in! The permutations couldn’t be simpler for Orlando City SC heading into 2022 MLS Decision Day with so much riding on our final home fixture of the regular season against Columbus Crew.
Embarrassed and humiliated in a 4-1 defeat at Florida rivals Inter Miami on Wednesday, a capitulation of four defeats in five MLS games means our hopes of qualifying for the 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs have come down to this agonising, nail-biting finale.
Wednesday’s visit to DRV PNK Stadium was a truly awful and nondescript performance.
To make matters worse, Inter Miami’s win saw The Herons qualify for the post-season, this time without the virtue of a play-in round.
A gruelling watch from start to finish, the writing was on the wall as early as the first minute. Leonardo Campana’s chipped finish stunned City in just 35 seconds!
All in all, Inter Miami really wanted the victory. As for City, we played scared and were found wanting in every area of our play – especially our lacklustre passing.
Had it not been for Andre Shinyashiki’s stoppage time equaliser for Charlotte FC against Columbus Crew (2-2) the same evening, Crew would’ve almost had both feet in the 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs.
Now, it’s a straight shootout between Orlando City SC and Columbus Crew on 2022 MLS Decision Day with the winner guaranteed a spot in the post-season.
The 4-0 home victory over Toronto FC aside, it’s unfortunately been nothing but negative for Orlando City SC since winning the 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on September 7.
Like the air being sucked out of a balloon, four defeats to Philadelphia Union (5-1), Atlanta United (0-1), New York City FC (2-1) and Inter Miami (4-1) have all but killed off the joy and feel-good factor of our U.S. Open Cup triumph.
Even off the pitch, a feeling of gloom has shrouded the Orlando City SC community too.
Late September saw Hurricane Ian make landfall in Florida, and sadly, Wednesday’s Inter Miami game was the final match covered by City’s much-loved local broadcasting trio Evan Weston, Miguel Gallardo, and Gabrielle Amado ahead of Apple TV seizing MLS rights in 2023.
On the pitch, Oscar Pareja‘s Orlando City SC fortunately have one last shot at redemption.
In what has been an up and down rollercoaster ride of a 2022 campaign, go out there one last time this regular season, make us proud, and prove you belong Orlando City SC.
Vamos Orlando!
How can Orlando City SC clinch a spot in the 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs?
As it stands
- If Orlando City SC beat Columbus Crew, the Lions qualify for the 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs, alongside FC Cincinnati
- If Columbus Crew beat Orlando City SC, Crew qualify for the 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs, eliminating the Lions
- FC Cincinnati qualify for the 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs with a win or draw at D.C. United
- If FC Cincinnati lose at D.C. United and Orlando City SC vs Columbus Crew is a draw, FC Cincinnati are eliminated while Orlando City SC and Columbus Crew qualify
Orlando City SC vs Columbus Crew – 2015/22 head-to-head stats
Last facing Columbus Crew on April 16, Orlando City SC put in one of their best 2022 performances to win 0-2 at Lower.com Field.
Soaking up lots of first-half pressure from Crew, the Lions grew into the game with Rodrigo Schlegel scoring his first City goal on 37 minutes.
On 51 minutes, Orlando City SC landed a sucker punch on Crew.
With Ercan Kara scoring undoubtedly City’s prettiest goal in Major League Soccer so far, the play was a joy to behold.
Kara’s second City goal in as many games, the Austrian’s right footed shot past Eloy Room followed an incredible passage of intricate interplay.
Mauricio Pereyra‘s incisive pass forward started it off. Then Facundo Torres and Júnior Urso combined for a neat one-two.
Urso’s pass forward was expertly cushioned by Pereyra, then deftly flicked by Kara into Torres who deftly flicked it back into Kara who swivelled before unleashing a right footed shot past Room.
This was truly a complete MLS away performance on the road.
Columbus Crew 0 Orlando City SC 2 – Highlights – April 16, 2022 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
Thanks to our 0-2 win at Lower.com Field back in April, Orlando City SC now hold a one-win advantage over Columbus Crew.
On Crew’s most recent visit to Exploria Stadium (3-2 in October 2021), Oscar Pareja became the winningest head coach in City’s MLS history (23 wins).
Racing into a 2-0 lead through Daryl Dike and Silvester van der Water, City looked back to their dominating best.
But you can’t take anything for granted in Major League Soccer.
In the blink of an eye, a second-half Antônio Carlos own goal and a Miguel Berry strike saw Caleb Porter’s Crew draw level within just 120 seconds.
Instead of panicking, Orlando City SC rallied. Júnior Urso’s sweet strike on 69 minutes sealed all three points to City supporters’ relief and delight.
Orlando City SC 3 Columbus Crew 2 – Highlights – September 4, 2021 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
Orlando City SC and Columbus Crew have been evenly matched over the years.
In SEVEN of the last NINE MLS head-to-heads, just ONE goal has separated the sides.
Before last season’s pair of 3-2 home victories, Orlando City SC beat Crew 2-1 at Exploria Stadium in November 2020.
Chris Mueller opened the scoring on 27 minutes. Then Nani received a ridiculously harsh red card for a foul on Artur in the 52nd minute.
A decision later rescinded by the Independent Review Panel, Harrison Afful equalised just four minutes later.
The Lions stuck to their task however. Benji Michel scored a fantastic solo goal in the 84th minute to raise the roof off Exploria Stadium!
Orlando City SC form
To reach the 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs, Orlando City SC will likely need to score the first goal on Sunday.
The Lions have SEVEN MLS wins when scoring first at home this season, and just ONE defeat (1-3 to FC Dallas).
Consequently, when conceding the first goal at home, City only have ONE win (3-2 over Seattle Sounders) and SEVEN defeats.
This clearly demonstrates how brittle our confidence has been at Exploria Stadium this season.
In a regular season where Exploria Stadium has been anything but a fortress, we need a huge performance on Sunday.
Columbus Crew form
Like me, you’re probably looking for any seeds of encouragement heading into 2022 MLS Decision Day.
Well, despite still being firmly in contention to reach the 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs, Columbus Crew aren’t the best travellers.
Blowing a crucial 0-2 lead at Charlotte FC in stoppage time on Wednesday (2-2), hopefully confidence is fragile.
Crew have conceded AT LEAST TWO GOALS in SIX of their last SEVEN away fixtures in MLS.
Their last road win was a crazy 2-3 comeback victory at Chicago Fire on July 9.
So it appears that Caleb Porter’s side gift goals, but City don’t score many either.
Right now, Orlando City SC are the third lowest goalscorers in the Eastern Conference (42).
If there was ever a time to bring our shooting boots, Sunday at 2:30PM ET is the time!
Charlotte FC 2 Columbus Crew 2 – Highlights – October 5, 2022 (Credit: Charlotte FC)
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Don’t forget, Orlando City SC vs Columbus Crew will be shown LIVE on Sky Sports Football this Sunday evening.
You can view our TV Fixture Tracker by clicking here.
GOOD NEWS (WE HOPE! 🤞🏽) | @OrlandoCitySC 🆚 @ColumbusCrew will be shown LIVE on @SkySports on Sunday evening. 😄📺⚽👏🏽
VIEW TV TRACKER 📺: https://t.co/KV9JvpAA0o#OCTwitter #ORLvCLB #OrlandoCity #Crew96 #DecisionDay #MLSUK pic.twitter.com/yVzAxIb0wl
— Orlando City UK 🏆 (@Orlando_CityUK) October 6, 2022
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