After disappointing back-to-back away defeats to CF Montréal (MLS) and Charlotte FC (U.S. Open Cup), stopping the rot was key against Columbus Crew. Fortunately, Orlando City SC rallied to achieve an unlikely 2-2 comeback draw at Lower.com Field.
With two more MLS games coming fast, Oscar Pareja‘s Lions now face New York City FC at Exploria Stadium after a tough three-game road streak, buoyed by Duncan McGuire‘s stoppage time leveller from 2-0 down in Ohio.
Candidly, there was absolutely nothing positive to take from a gutless first-half performance at Columbus Crew.
Setting up in a 3-4-2-1 formation, Iván Angulo and Gastón González started as wing backs as we’ve seen before under Pareja.
However, this pragmatic approach away from home really isn’t serving Orlando City SC well.
Far too passive and ugly on the eye, the Lions again looked uncomfortable and out of sorts in this formation.
With Columbus Crew dominating every aspect of a poor first-half, it was a really difficult watch from a City perspective.
City frustratingly didn’t get the basics right in regards to tracking runners and showing genuine fight.
On the night, Darlington Nagbe and Jacen Russell-Rowe’s first-half goals cruelly punished a careless City display.
At half-time, Orlando City SC supporters were simply calling for passion, heart and pride as supporter pressure mounts on Oscar Pareja to keep his job.
When Orlando City SC supporters may have doubted their side, the Lions duly responded, answering their second-half assignment.
On 49 minutes, Ercan Kara‘s calm finish off Facundo Torres‘ first 2023 assist was just the reply we needed.
Sure, from here, we admittedly rode our luck on numerous occasions.
Especially when Cucho Hernández saw Drew Fischer correctly rule out his narrowly offside goal (after VAR review) to make it 3-1.
Nevertheless, Orlando City SC stuck at it, battling through adversity.
Entering six minutes of second-half stoppage time, the 92nd minute provided sheer joy!
Firing through a crowded Crew penalty area, sub Duncan McGuire grabbed his fourth goal of the season.
Clearly a natural born finisher, our 2023 MLS SuperDraft pick is Orlando City SC‘s current top scorer with four goals.
It was a big relief for an Orlando City SC side who have flattered to deceive so far this season.
An honourable mention also goes to Pedro Gallese.
Making the most outrageous point-blank save to preserve a point on 95 minutes, thank heavens for his dependable outstretched tentacles!
In a pressure situation at 2-0 down, to steal a road point at the death was very sweet.
That said, Crew will be kicking themselves.
The home side should’ve really ran up the scoreline, when it looked likely, much earlier in the game.
The Lions now turn the page to Wednesday where they will face 2015 MLS expansion rivals New York City FC on our Exploria Stadium return.
Maybe it’s a great time to play NYCFC too?
The Pigeons lost the Hudson River Derby 1-0 to rivals New York Red Bulls last Saturday.
Defeated 1-0 at Red Bull Arena, NYCFC have now lost their last four fixtures in all competitions – all by a one-goal margin.
Nick Cushing’s side will be eager to bounce back, as will Orlando City SC who will be determined to start turning Exploria Stadium back into a fortress again.
Orlando City SC vs New York City FC
Last 3 head-to-heads
- July 25, 2021: New York City FC 5 Orlando City SC 0 (MLS)
- August 28, 2022: Orlando City SC 2 New York City FC 1 (MLS)
- October 2, 2022: New York City FC 2 Orlando City SC 1 (MLS)
2015/22 head-to-head stats
- It was 2-1 to NYCFC the last time the sides met (October 2022)
- Played NYCFC 21 times in MLS – Orlando 8, Draws 6, NYCFC 7
- Orlando have taken the lead in 7 of the last 8 MLS head-to-heads
- Orlando’s last back-to-back home victories in MLS came in September – October 2022
- NYCFC have lost their last 4 fixtures in all competitions – all by a one-goal margin
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Watching the game
Orlando City SC vs New York City FC will be shown live on Apple TV at 00:30 (GMT) on Thursday, May 18.
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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