Desperately searching for not only a positive result but performance in an inconsistent 2023 campaign, Orlando City SC achieved both against LA Galaxy last weekend.
Just the tonic we needed, Oscar Pareja’s Lions prevailed 2-0 with Designated Players Ercan Kara and Facundo Torres scoring in a satisfying, convincing display.
Heading into the game, Oscar Pareja and his players were under pressure.
This was after a bitterly disappointing run of three consecutive home defeats at Exploria Stadium.
Making four changes, Michael Halliday and Kyle Smith came into the starting lineup.
Pareja ditched his 3-5-2 formation (with wing backs) that was deployed at Minnesota United and against D.C. United.
On 33 minutes, César Araújo thought that he’d struck a well taken opener.
Perfectly volleying an Iván Angulo cross past Jonathan Klinsmann, a VAR review ruled out the Uruguayan’s strike, to his and The Wall’s dismay.
Not to be denied however, it took Orlando City SC just five more first-half minutes to plunder the first blow.
Nipping in front of Jalen Neal at LA Galaxy’s near post, Ercan Kara was quickest to prod home the opening goal on just his second start of the 2023 MLS campaign.
Enduring a stop-start career at Orlando City SC, the Austrian proceeded to controversially shush The Wall in celebration.
With shades of Justin Meram putting two fingers to his ears (blocking out the noise) many moons ago, this probably wasn’t the best advised form of celebration for Kara.
Rookie Duncan McGuire has deservedly usurped the Austrian in the starting lineup so far this season, and perhaps it was just to remind everybody that he is still here.
Kara’s shush celebration remains a matter of debate regarding your personal interpretation and taste.
However, we can all agree that it was great to see our Designated Player find the scoresheet again.
Heading into half-time at 1-0, Orlando City SC needed another goal to feel safer against a LA Galaxy side making a 2,517-mile cross country trip.
On 57 minutes, joy!
Racing into green open space while bearing down on Jonathan Klinsmann’s goal, Facundo Torres just about squeezed a cheeky shot past the Galaxy keeper to double the home side’s advantage.
Wheeling away past the South Stand in celebration, there was an outpouring of joy and relief.
Perhaps things might just be turning in our favour this season?
Star man Torres has been uncharacteristically on the fringes of the action so far this season.
So, to see “El Cuervo” score was the icing on the cake of a much improved team performance.
Elsewhere, our third Designated Player Martín Ojeda was seemingly on a one-man mission to beat Jonathan Klinsmann.
Tallying several strikes against Jürgen’s son throughout the ninety, it was great to see “Tincho” be the danger man all Orlando City SC supporters expect him to become.
From Torres’ buffer goal to full-time, Orlando City SC continued to manage the game well.
Avoiding a fourth straight home defeat and sealing all three points meant City now sit eighth in the Eastern Conference.
Now hitting the road for the first time in three games, Orlando City SC visit Stade Saputo to face CF Montréal.
The scene of many dramatic and high stakes CF Montréal vs Orlando City SC games over the years, the Lions should now be heading to Quebec full of renewed confidence and vigour.
Also receiving their 2022 U.S. Open Cup championship rings on Monday, spirit in the camp should be high compared to this time last week.
Hernán Losada’s CF Montréal side achieved a 0-2 away victory at Sporting Kansas City in Gameweek 10.
First-half goals from Bryce Duke and Mathieu Choinière helped CF Montreal to their second MLS victory in as many gameweeks.
CF Montréal vs Orlando City SC
Last 3 head-to-heads
- February 27, 2022: Orlando City SC 2 CF Montréal 0 (MLS)
- May 7, 2022: CF Montréal 4 Orlando City SC 1 (MLS)
- October 16, 2022: CF Montréal 2 Orlando City SC 0 (2022 MLS Cup Playoffs)
2015/22 head-to-head stats
- It was 2-0 to CF Montréal the last time the sides met (October 2022)
- Played Montréal 20 times in MLS – Montréal 9, Draws 3, Orlando 8
- In 7 of the last 10 MLS regular season head-to-heads, the home side has failed to win
- CF Montréal’s last 5 consecutive MLS results have finished “to nil”
- Orlando’s last back-to-back victories in MLS came in August 2022
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Watching the game
CF Montréal vs Orlando City SC will be shown live on Apple TV at 00:30 (GMT) on Sunday, May 7.
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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