Even before the post-match Exploria Stadium fireworks show to commemorate July 4, Orlando City SC celebrated Independence Day with a bang by emphatically defeating Toronto FC 4-0.
Registering two home victories in a row and only losing one of our last eleven MLS fixtures, Oscar Pareja‘s upwardly mobile Lions now face a tough three-game road streak in MLS, sandwiched by at least two ties in the 2023 Leagues Cup.
Orlando City SC‘s positive run of form now has them placed sixth in the Eastern Conference.
Just a point behind fourth-placed Columbus Crew, City are starting to show the kind of consistency that had many pundits originally tip us for a high finish.
Sure, recent opponents Chicago Fire and Toronto FC are two lesser sides but scoring seven goals against them bodes well for squad confidence and belief.
Casting our minds back to Tuesday, Orlando City SC looked good for a second consecutive victory as early as the 22nd minute.
Deservedly nailing down left back as his own, Rafael Santos curled one of his trademark crosses to César Araújo on 16 minutes.
Unmarked at the back post, Araújo’s diving header was his first goal of 2023 and gave City an early lead.
Staying on the front foot, things got even better just six minutes later.
Yet again, Rafael Santos was the goal source, seeing his deflected cross bamboozle former Lion Shane O’Neill at another ex-Lion Greg Ranjitsingh‘s near post.
Carefully watching the play, Duncan McGuire opportunistically checked his run before toe poking Rafael Santos‘ deflected cross past Ranjitsingh.
A poacher’s goal, it was McGuire’s seventh MLS goal of 2023, tying him level with Facundo Torres.
Yet another shining example of Orlando City SC‘s talent spotting ability in the MLS SuperDraft, Duncan McGuire is a natural born goalscorer.
Right now, the “Haaland of the Heartlands” appears to be well on the way to potential 2023 MLS Rookie of the Year acknowledgement – just like Cyle Larin before him.
On 62 minutes, Fernando Bernardeschi foolishly succumbed to the red mist, going eye-to-eye with, and then charging Wilder Cartagena for a second yellow – and red card.
Reduced to 10 men – just like Fire on July 1 – City’s task became easier and the Lions ruthlessly punished The Reds.
On 77 minutes, there was a lovely moment for Dagur Dan Thórhallsson who scored his first ever City goal.
Well spotted by César Araújo with a raking pass from deep, Dagur Dan rounded Greg Ranjitsingh who was caught in no man’s land before passing the ball into an empty net.
Another sub – Ercan Kara – got in on the action too, neatly dispatching an ingenious Martín Ojeda back-heeled assist in TFC’s penalty area on 84 minutes.
Orlando City SC‘s most emphatic MLS victory of 2023, it was remarkably the second time in a row that we’ve defeated Toronto FC 4-0 at Exploria Stadium.
Now flying west to Utah, Orlando City SC face Real Salt Lake for the first time since February 2020.
Going 8-6-7 so far this season, the Claret and Cobalt are currently fourth in the Western Conference.
Just five points behind storied leaders St. Louis CITY SC, RSL’s America First Field sits at 4,500 feet above sea level with altitude proving a factor.
Unbeaten in their last six, winning four games in this streak, Pablo Mastroeni’s side won’t be easy to overcome for Oscar Pareja‘s Lions.
Real Salt Lake vs Orlando City SC
Last 3 head-to-heads
- May 6, 2018: Orlando City SC 3 Real Salt Lake 1 (MLS)
- April 13, 2019: Real Salt Lake 2 Orlando City SC 1 (MLS)
- February 29, 2020: Orlando City SC 0 Real Salt Lake 0 (MLS)
2015/20 head-to-head stats
- It was 0-0 the last time the sides met (February 2020)
- Played RSL 6 times in MLS – RSL 1, Draws 3, Orlando 2
- Both teams have scored in 4 of 6 MLS head-to-heads
- RSL have failed to win their last 6 home fixtures in MLS
- Orlando are undefeated in 7 of their 9 MLS away fixtures this season
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Watching the game
Real Salt Lake vs Orlando City SC will be shown live on Apple TV at 02:30 (GMT) on Sunday, July 9.
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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