May the fourth be with Orlando City SC this Saturday (Star Wars™ Night) because we’re going to need it!
After collapsing late on to somehow throw away all three points in a gutting 1-2 loss to Toronto FC, Oscar Pareja’s Lions now contest a second successive home game at Inter&Co Stadium, this time against high-flying FC Cincinnati.
Currently second in the Eastern Conference on 18 points, 2023 MLS Supporters’ Shield winners FC Cincinnati come into this game buoyed by a 2-1 home victory against Colorado Rapids last Saturday plus a 1-2 comeback win at Atlanta United the weekend prior.
Last time out
Last Saturday, Toronto FC shocked Orlando City SC with a late comeback, netting two goals in just three minutes to secure a 1-2 victory against the Lions at Inter&Co Stadium.
MLS rookie and second-half substitute Tyrese Spicer equalised for TFC in the 87th minute with a powerful header.
This was before the in-form Prince Owusu nodded in a precise pass from Federico Bernardeschi on 90 minutes, shushing The Wall in celebration.
With Kyle Smith and Robin Jansson affording Bernardeschi way too much room to get in his cross, this play stole away all three points for John Herdman’s side.
A dagger to City supporters’ hearts, it was Toronto FC’s first MLS triumph over Orlando City SC since 2019.
With Duncan McGuire scoring the lone goal for the Lions, this result abruptly ended our steady but unspectacular four-game unbeaten streak.
The match started slowly, with neither team able to mount sustained attacks early on.
Nevertheless, it was reliable goalscorer Duncan McGuire who broke the deadlock for Orlando City SC on 37 minutes.
Stretching to prod the ball home, this came after a perfectly weighted cross from Facundo Torres.
Just where would we be without Duncan’s goals?
Despite Duncan McGuire’s apparent second goal being disallowed for offside just before half-time, Toronto FC continued to press forward.
In the end, the Canadian visitors dramatically turned the entire game on its head late on.
Looking back, both teams had their opportunities throughout the game, with Orlando City SC’s Dagur Dan Thórhallsson and Toronto FC’s Alonso Coello coming close to scoring.
Frustratingly however, it was The Reds’ resilience that paid off by full-time.
This bitterly disappointing 1-2 defeat leaves City thirteenth in the Eastern Conference on a lowly nine points after nine MLS games.
On the night, frustrated City supporters left Inter&Co Stadium with more questions than answers in a season that is continuing to go nowhere fast!
To add further insult to injury, David Brekalo hobbled off early against Toronto FC after suffering a hard knock in the game.
With Rodrigo Schlegel having to replace Brekalo on 16 minutes, the Slovenian has unfortunately been listed as questionable (left thigh) for this game.
Last head-to-head
The last time that Orlando City SC faced FC Cincinnati in MLS, the Lions made one of their biggest statements of 2023.
Defeating last year’s Supporters’ Shield winners at TQL Stadium, September 2 saw the Lions achieve a noteworthy 0-1 victory in Ohio.
Significantly, it was the Orange and Blue’s first home loss of the season.
With FC Cincinnati going 20 consecutive home games unbeaten at TQL Stadium prior to City’s visit, snapping this streak with a gritty 0-1 result was mightily impressive.
On the night, Orlando City SC suffered a first-half setback when Duncan McGuire was forced off with a shoulder injury just after the half-hour mark.
However, his replacement, Ramiro Enrique, made an immediate impact.
On 44 minutes, substitute Enrique’s precise pass found Facundo Torres in the box with El Cuervo slotting home for his eleventh goal of the season.
Leaving the hosts stunned, it was truly a great time to score!
Despite Wilder Cartagena’s late red card, Orlando City SC displayed resilience throughout the game, thwarting FC Cincinnati’s attempts to equalise.
At the time, the Orange and Blue’s last home loss in MLS dated back to October 1, 2022 against Chicago Fire, so everybody sat up and took notice of this noteworthy Orlando City SC result.
On the night, FC Cincinnati came close to equalising in the 58th minute through Luciano Acosta’s close-range effort.
However, Pedro Gallese denied the 2023 Landon Donovan MLS MVP with a crucial save.
Despite Aaron Boupendza missing another chance on 61 minutes with relentless pressure mounting in the final stages of the game, Orlando City SC held firm to secure a crucial away win.
What’s at stake this time?
Quite simply, Oscar Pareja’s Orlando City SC are under big pressure to win MLS games right now – especially at home.
Having only won one of our five home games so far this MLS season, City are already 12 points behind current Eastern Conference leaders and Florida rivals Inter Miami.
Truthfully speaking, nobody envisaged that City would struggle as bad as we have.
So far this 2024 MLS season, Orlando City SC have seemingly taken two steps forward only to frustratingly take three back.
Our unpredictability in both performances and results leaves us in the sorry predicament we currently face.
So far this year, it’s ultimately been way too easy to score goals against Orlando City SC – plain and simple!
As we all know, chasing deficits and gifting away goals is not a sustainable way to climb the Eastern Conference.
Having conceded the joint-fourth most goals (17) across both conferences this MLS season, the Lions desperately need to improve upon this poor record.
So, what has changed since our defensively resilient form of MLS seasons gone by?
Despite their experience and calibre on paper, David Brekalo is new to MLS as Antônio Carlos’ replacement and Robin Jansson has been adjusting to life as club captain and not just another squad member.
Behind them, there is Pedro Gallese who has been uncharacteristically sloppy so far this season – probably the biggest surprise of all.
Despite Gallese and Jansson reaching the twilight of their careers, this duo and new boy Brekalo are all certainly talented enough to be performing better.
Therefore, there should be no excuses.
As City supporters’ patience continues to run thin, the pressure is mounting on our entire defensive unit to improve.
If these guys are feeling the pressure, our new striker and Designated Player Luis Muriel must be too.
Now having gone eight MLS appearances without a goal, Oscar Pareja actually dropped the 32-year-old Colombian to the bench against Toronto FC.
Replacing Duncan McGuire on 71 minutes, we all expected Muriel to have scored his first MLS goal by now.
McGuire’s withdrawal was a very strange choice from Papi considering his obvious goalscoring threat.
Hindsight is a wonderful thing but if you ask City fans, we were also questioning Papi’s decision to sub in Kyle Smith for Rafael Santos – also on 71 minutes.
Reverting to inverted wingers, these tactical switches did nothing but surrender all our attacking impetus to Toronto FC who only grew in confidence ahead of their late comeback.
With Martín Ojeda starting the game in the 10 position, Oscar Pareja’s decision to withdraw “Tincho” for Nicolás Lodeiro on 59 minutes yet again suggests that Papi still doesn’t fully trust Ojeda.
This is despite the Argentine having been at Inter&Co Stadium for a spell approaching 1.5 years.
Looking back further than our TFC collapse, despite not being the answer himself, even City’s former number #9 Ercan Kara didn’t initially struggle as much as Luis Muriel who has been a clinical finisher throughout his career so far.
Make no mistake; me and my fellow City supporters aren’t giving up on Luis Muriel just yet.
However, when you’re earning the big bucks like Muriel is, Orlando City SC fans are expecting much more.
Especially because you can tell there is a real player in there.
You don’t score 54 Serie A goals for Atalanta if you’re a bad player!
Right now in MLS, there’s probably no player who needs a confidence boost from a goal more than Muriel.
As Luis Muriel adapts to his debut MLS season in North America, he eagerly awaits his first goal, knowing that its significance could elevate his role.
Especially if Duncan McGuire’s rumoured departure materialises this mid-season.
Opposition danger men
When it comes to FC Cincinnati danger men, attacking midfielder Luciano Acosta is undoubtedly the Orange and Blue’s best player.
During his time at FC Cincinnati so far, captain “Lucho” has tallied an incredible 38 goals and 48 assists in MLS play.
Finishing joint-second in the 2023 MLS Golden Boot race (17 goals), Luciano Acosta’s standout season led to him being deservedly named the 2023 Landon Donovan MLS MVP.
Formerly a D.C. United and Atlas player, 5 ft 3 in Acosta is revered for his low centre of gravity, technical skills, and playmaking abilities.
Pat Noonan typically deploys Acosta as a 10 but the 29-year-old can operate as a support striker as well.
New opposition faces
Compared to the last time Orlando City SC faced FC Cincinnati in MLS, recruitment has been strong for Pat Noonan’s side.
Having all been capped by the USMNT, Corey Baird, Miles Robinson, and DeAndre Yedlin are Orange and Blue players in 2024.
Joining FC Cincinnati as a free agent after six seasons with Atlanta United, Miles Robinson is probably the pick of the new arrivals.
Previously tipped for an off-season switch to Europe, Robinson remained in MLS to form a really strong-looking centre back partnership with Matt Miazga.
Beyond Baird, Robinson, and Yedlin, defender Kipp Keller, Czech Republic midfielder Pavel Bucha, and Argentine duo Luca Orellano (loan) and Yamil Asad now call TQL Stadium home as well.
When Ian Murphy, Matt Miazga, and Miles Robinson are all fit and available, Pat Noonan usually starts with these three centre backs in his favoured 3-4-2-1 or 3-4-1-2 shape with Kipp Keller sometimes deputising for Murphy.
Last but not least, Tuesday saw FC Cincinnati announce the loan signing of Venezuela Under-23 international striker Kevin Kelsy from Shakhtar Donetsk.
Officially added as a U22 Initiative player before the MLS Primary Transfer Window deadline, Kelsy might just figure at Inter&Co Stadium.
Injuries and suspensions
Heading into this game, Ramiro Enrique is still sidelined due to his right 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 isn’t the Lions’ only injured absentee right now.
Young Homegrown Player Tahir Reid-Brown (left thigh) is definitely out while David Brekalo (left thigh) is questionable too.
As for FC Cincinnati, defender Nick Hagglund (leg) is definitely out for Pat Noonan’s side.
Striker Aaron Boupendza will be missing for the Orange and Blue too.
This is after he suffered a broken jaw during an altercation outside a bar in the early hours of Monday morning.
FC Cincinnati have since announced that Boupendza is undergoing surgery for his broken jaw and will be missing from MLS action for 6-8 weeks.
Having tallied seven MLS goals since becoming an FC Cincinnati player, Boupendza’s pace, physicality, and goalscoring instincts have made him a handful in this league.
Therefore, Orlando City SC will be pleased that the Gabon international is absent.
Having sold Brandon Vazquez to Monterrey in the off-season, there has been a greater onus on Aaron Boupendza to score even more in 2024.
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Orlando City SC vs FC Cincinnati
Last 3 head-to-heads
- June 24, 2022: FC Cincinnati 1 Orlando City SC 0 (MLS)
- March 4, 2023: Orlando City SC 0 FC Cincinnati 0 (MLS)
- September 2, 2023: FC Cincinnati 0 Orlando City SC 1 (MLS)
2019/23 head-to-head stats
- It was 0-1 to Orlando the last time the sides met (September 2023)
- Played Cincinnati 9 times in MLS – Orlando 4, Draws 3, Cincinnati 2
- Orlando were the ONLY side to stop 2023 Supporters’ Shield winners Cincinnati scoring across 2 MLS head-to-heads last season
- Both sides have scored in Orlando’s last 4 MLS fixtures
- Cincinnati’s last 4 MLS fixtures have all finished 1-2 / 2-1
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Watching the game
Orlando City SC vs FC Cincinnati will be shown live on Apple TV at 00:30 (GMT) on Sunday, May 5.
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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