Suffering a second successive home defeat to Nashville SC (0-2) back on April 1, Orlando City SC have had an entire fortnight to stew on that disappointing result.
Now visiting Minnesota United and legendary former City head coach Adrian Heath, Oscar Pareja‘s Lions have been unconvincing and inconsistent this year, going 2-2-2 in six MLS regular season games so far.
After impressively defeating Philadelphia Union 1-2 away on March 25, there was some hope that Orlando City SC had turned a corner.
The fleeting feel-good factor from that game was quickly extinguished however, with a savvy and street-smart Nashville SC making fools of Orlando City SC on April Fools’ Day.
When Gary Smith’s side lead, they’re super-efficient at defending whatever advantage they have, no matter how slender.
And in Central Florida, their game plan was executed to perfection.
On 28 minutes, Fafà Picault capitalised on some rather comical City defending to put Nashville SC 0-1 up.
This was a big shame, not just in the literal sense, but for the fact that Orlando City SC actually started the game bright, energetic, and on the front foot.
There was some controversy whether the ball was still in motion right before Hany Mukhtar assisted a quick and smart free-kick over a sleeping Lions backline.
Whether the goal was legitimate or not, Orlando City SC would’ve been massively disappointed to be caught out by a play so simple.
From here on in, it was much of a muchness for Orlando City SC who huffed and puffed, but simply couldn’t blow a resolute and stubborn Nashville SC defence down.
And this has been the recurring problem, starting last season and carrying over into this.
Just a single goal feeling like a huge mountain to climb, despite the many attacking reinforcements recruited in the off-season.
On 74 minutes, any remaining energy was completely sucked out of Exploria Stadium with Hany Mukhtar doubling Nashville SC’s advantage and continuing his personal hot streak against Orlando City SC.
Quite simply, pressure is mounting on Oscar Pareja to deliver consistent results.
Especially amid his pragmatic, and oftentimes, unconvincing style of football.
Performing with clarity on the road, City continue struggling at Exploria Stadium inside the fortress it was intended to be.
As for this weekend’s opponents Minnesota United, the Loons are enjoying a promising 2023.
Losing one game through the first seven gameweeks, Adrian Heath‘s side have gone 3-2-1 so far this regular season.
Defeated 2-1 by Chicago Fire last weekend at Soldier Field, the Loons will want to bounce back.
With Allianz Field always a tough place to visit, this is another big test of Orlando City SC‘s mettle.
Having an extra week’s rest compared to Minnesota United, strength in adversity is required yet again early in 2023.
Minnesota United vs Orlando City SC
Last 3 head-to-heads
- March 10, 2018: Orlando City SC 1 Minnesota United 2 (MLS)
- August 17, 2019: Minnesota United 1 Orlando City SC 1 (MLS)
- August 6, 2020: Orlando City SC 3 Minnesota United 1 (MLS is Back Tournament)
2017/22 head-to-head stats
- It was 3-1 to Orlando the last time the sides met (August 2020)
- Played Minnesota 4 times in MLS – Minnesota 2, Draws 1, Orlando 1
- Adrian Heath is undefeated in 3 of 4 MLS fixtures against Orlando
- Minnesota have only lost one MLS fixture so far this season
- Minnesota have scored in EVERY one of their 6 MLS fixtures so far this season
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Watching the game
Minnesota United vs Orlando City SC will be shown live on Apple TV at 01:30 (GMT) on Sunday, April 16.
Remember, UK supporters can watch all of Orlando City SC‘s 2023 MLS regular season fixtures by subscribing to Apple TV’s “MLS Season Pass”.
Subscribe now by clicking here.
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