After rescuing a 2-2 draw at CF Montréal last Saturday, Oscar Pareja‘s Orlando City SC now face another Canadian opponent in Toronto FC but this time back in our familiar surroundings of Inter&Co Stadium.
Currently fifth in the Eastern Conference on 13 points, John Herdman’s TFC come into this game rejuvenated after a 1-0 win against New England Revolution last weekend plus a 5-0 2024 Canadian Championship preliminary round win over Simcoe County Rovers FC yesterday.
Speaking of TFC’s last league fixture, an incredible acrobatic goal from Prince Owusu helped The Reds to a 2024 sweep over Revs, ending their streak of three consecutive MLS defeats in turn.
Last time out
Last Saturday, Iván Angulo found the back of the net in second-half stoppage time, securing a crucial equaliser for Orlando City SC in a 2-2 draw away at CF Montréal.
A result that extended City’s unbeaten streak to four MLS games, Facundo Torres also converted a first-half penalty to finally register his first MLS goal of 2024 – also his seventh successful MLS spot kick from seven.
Mason Toye and Ariel Lassiter were the goalscorers for CF Montréal who’ve now played out two draws with Orlando City SC this MLS season.
At Stade Saputo, the match began slowly for both teams, with limited attacking opportunities in the first 15 minutes.
However, CF Montréal seized the initiative in the 16th minute.
Samuel Piette found Mason Toye with a precise pass, allowing the stand-in striker to round Pedro Gallese and slot home for a 1-0 lead.
Looking back, El Pulpo should feel really disapponted with the way in which he let Toye go past him completely unchallenged.
Orlando City SC responded in the 22nd minute when Facundo Torres converted a penalty, levelling the scoreline after a foul on Luis Muriel by goalkeeper Jonathan Sirois.
Torres’ equaliser took him to 31 goals in Orlando City SC purple, tying him level with Nani in our all-time goalscoring history (all competitions).
The second-half saw both sides trading chances, with near misses from both teams.
Ariel Lassiter put CF Montréal ahead in the 88th minute after Pedro Gallese parried an unchallenged Sunusi Ibrahim shot right into the path of the Costa Rican who tapped into an empty net.
Despite this late gut punch, a battling Orlando City SC side weren’t to be denied.
Staring down the barrel of an away day defeat, Iván Angulo rescued a point for the Lions with his late equaliser in stoppage time, ensuring a thrilling end to the match.
Scoring from point-blank range, Angulo’s strike rounded off a fine attacking move where second-half City substitutes Duncan McGuire and Martín Ojeda combined to perfection.
Just two minutes after Duncan McGuire almost equalised himself with a volley that whistled just past Jonathan Sirois’ right post, it was McGuire who was in the thick of the action yet again.
Sending a fantastic cushioned pass into Ojeda, it was our Argentine Designated Player who claimed the timely assist for Angulo.
Last head-to-head
The last time that Orlando City SC faced Toronto FC in MLS, City rounded off their best ever regular season with a comfortable 2023 MLS Decision Day win (0-2) at BMO Field.
On October 21, 2023, a second-half Duncan McGuire brace punished a sorry TFC side who were begging for mercy after a pitiful 2023 campaign.
In a dead rubber game, Oscar Pareja made nine changes to his starting lineup ahead of more important post-season games to come.
Handing starts to Mason Stajduhar, Michael Halliday, Antônio Carlos, Luca Petrasso, Felipe Martins, Júnior Urso, Gastón González, Martín Ojeda, and Ramiro Enrique, it was the first time that Ojeda had captained the team.
In a low-key first-half, whipping boys Toronto FC played with greater belief than usual.
This was probably because it was John Herdman’s first game in charge and captain Michael Bradley’s final game before retirement.
With The Reds playing protagonist north of the border, Orlando City SC really struggled to make any attacking inroads.
We were simply content to stay rigid in our shape, countering when few opportunities presented themselves.
City lacked chemistry since many fringe Lions were enjoying rare starts and hadn’t played much soccer together.
Summing up City’s disconnection, on 42 minutes, Gaston Gonzalez sent a dangerous pass right across Toronto FC’s penalty area.
Unfortunately however, there were no onrushing Lions to connect with the Argentine’s cross.
After half-time, the 52nd minute saw Prince Owusu tuck a strike past Mason Stajduhar but the German forward was correctly flagged offside.
In a game that was passing the Lions by, this play seemed to wake City up from their slumber, especially when Oscar Pareja upped the ante on 61 minutes.
Subbing in big hitters Mauricio Pereyra, Iván Angulo, and Duncan McGuire, it only took outstanding rookie McGuire a mere 75 seconds to open the scoring!
It all started when Mason Stajduhar launched a long goal kick forward.
With no respect for the retiring Michael Bradley, McGuire sprinted forward, latched onto Stajduhar’s goal kick, and flicked the ball over the TFC captain.
Expertly keeping it under control, McGuire then unleashed an unerring dipping strike from range past the helpless Sean Johnson (0-1).
A sensational strike from a player brimming with confidence having just received his first two caps for the USYNT, Duncan McGuire somersaulted in front of a stunned Lakeshore Terrace who could only watch on in awe.
The play also saw Mason Stajduhar become the first Orlando City SC goalkeeper to register an assist in MLS regular season history.
Double-digit Duncan’s ridiculously good rookie season got even better on 74 minutes.
With McGuire making an intelligent run from out to in, fellow substitute Kyle Smith threaded through a delightful assist from deep.
Smith expertly spotted our number 13 who coolly slotted his thirteenth MLS goal of an unforgettable season past Sean Johnson (0-2).
The goal was significant because it saw Duncan McGuire surpass Damani Ralph (12) for the most goals (13) scored by a draft pick in their first MLS season out of college.
McGuire’s second goal took the game completely out of The Reds’ reach. It effectively consigned Toronto FC to their worst ever MLS season (22 points) as the locals headed for the exit doors.
Our 0-2 MLS Decision Day win at TFC was Orlando City SC‘s fourth consecutive MLS victory and our ninth away victory of the regular season.
The win saw City finish the 2023 regular season with a huge 63 points, tying our club record from 2016 for the most goals scored (55).
The result also meant that City became just the fourth MLS team since 2012 to win nine regular season away games or more.
What’s at stake this time?
Currently two points beneath the MLS Wild Card match line, Orlando City SC still have some catching up to do in the East.
In our first few MLS games of the year, City supporters were questioning whether this 2024 iteration of Orlando City SC had enough genuine fight and courage to live up to the pre-season hype.
But having now produced our second Cardiac Cats moment in as many MLS games, Orlando City SC have now taken four points from six in two back-to-back road games – a satisfying return that we can feel encouraged by.
Sure, wins, not draws are what’s required to climb back up the Eastern Conference as quick as possible following our poor start to 2024.
However, Oscar Pareja’s Orlando City SC can also take satisfaction from the fact we’ve rescued points from losing positions in our last three consecutive MLS fixtures.
Proof that hunger and determination still run through the veins of our roster, our recent four-game unbeaten streak suggests that we’re getting there – albeit slower than we first anticipated.
Having scored five goals after the 80th minute so far this MLS season, this underlines City’s strong mentality and continued never-say-die spirit.
Last but not least, Orlando City SC supporters are eagerly anticipating better performances from goalkeeper Pedro Gallese.
By his very high standards and probably his own admission, El Pulpo has been uncharacteristically sloppy so far this season.
Having conceded the joint-fourth most goals (15) across both conferences this MLS season, Orlando City SC‘s entire defensive unit needs to improve upon this poor record.
Opposition danger men
When it comes to Toronto FC danger men, The Reds will be without their best player Lorenzo Insigne.
Something that is good news for City!
Suffering a right hamstring injury in TFC’s 2-0 victory over Atlanta United back on March 23, the 32-year-old was finally starting to look like the talisman Toronto FC fans envisaged he’d be.
Enduring a miserable time under Bob Bradley, the Italian has enjoyed a new lease of life under John Herdman.
Scoring in Toronto FC’s March wins over New England Revolution (0-1) and Charlotte FC (1-0), Lorenzo Insigne’s injury was very untimely for the Canadian side.
One danger man who is fit however is Insigne’s Italian compatriot Federico Bernardeschi.
Like Insigne, Bernardeschi has scored goals since joining TFC from Juventus in July 2022, but hasn’t always been the difference maker they’ve needed him to be.
Nevertheless, there’s no denying the quality that Bernardeschi possesses, particularly his dribbling, shooting accuracy, and set-piece delivery.
With the toxic relationship between Insigne / Bernardeschi and Bob Bradley now over, 2024 has represented a second chance for this Italian double act.
Lastly, Federico Bernardeschi did see his second-half penalty saved by New England Revolution’s Henrich Ravas last Saturday, so he will be out to avenge this personal disappointment.
Already 1-0 up at the time, TFC successfully protected this lead until full-time, meaning that Bernardeschi’s PK miss wasn’t costly.
New opposition faces
Compared to the last time Orlando City SC faced Toronto FC in MLS, John Herdman’s side have several new faces in their ranks.
British football fans will be familiar with Republic of Ireland international centre back Kevin Long and former Newcastle United midfielder Matty Longstaff.
Handed the number #5 and number #8 jerseys at BMO Field, this duo are firmly part of the first team picture under Herdman.
Elsewhere, Trinidad and Tobago winger Tyrese Spicer was selected first overall in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft.
Drafted from Lipscomb University, the 23-year-old grabbed his first ever goal as a professional in TFC’s 2-0 win over Atlanta United back on March 23.
Experienced Honduras international Deybi Flores is on The Reds’ 2024 roster too, sitting deep in central midfield, typically alongside Spaniard Alonso Coello, TFC stalwart Jonathan Osorio or the aforementioned Matty Longstaff.
Last but not least, Toronto FC yesterday acquired Haiti international winger Derrick Etienne Jr. in a trade with Atlanta United.
Beating the MLS Primary Transfer Window deadline to sign Etienne Jr., he might just figure at Inter&Co Stadium.
Injuries and suspensions
Heading into this game, Ramiro Enrique is still sidelined due to his ankle injury.
Despite training with City’s first team back on April 10, it appears that Orlando City SC are nursing Enrique back slowly.
Last featuring in City’s trip to Tigres UANL back on March 12, Ramiro Enrique is the Lions’ only injured absentee right now with everybody else fit and available for selection.
As for Toronto FC, Deandre Kerr (foot) is questionable for John Herdman’s side.
Lorenzo Insigne (right hamstring) and Brandon Servania (knee) are definitely out for The Reds, however.
Plus former Lions Richie Laryea (thigh) and Shane O’Neill (thigh) too.
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Orlando City SC vs Toronto FC
Last 3 head-to-heads
- September 17, 2022: Orlando City SC 4 Toronto FC 0 (MLS)
- July 4, 2023: Orlando City SC 4 Toronto FC 0 (MLS)
- October 21, 2023: Toronto FC 0 Orlando City SC 2 (MLS)
2015/23 head-to-head stats
- It was 0-2 to Orlando the last time the sides met (October 2023)
- Played TFC 19 times in MLS – Orlando 8, Draws 3, TFC 8
- Orlando have won the last 4 MLS head-to-heads by an aggregate score of 11 goals to zero
- Orlando have rescued deficits in their last 3 consecutive MLS fixtures
- TFC have failed to win 5 of their 6 away fixtures so far this MLS season
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Watching the game
Orlando City SC vs Toronto FC will be shown live on Apple TV at 00:30 (GMT) on Sunday, April 28.
Remember, UK supporters can watch all of Orlando City SC‘s 2024 MLS regular season fixtures by subscribing to Apple TV’s “MLS Season Pass”.
Subscribe now by clicking here.
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