Battling hard to a 0-0 draw against Inter Miami on Wednesday, Oscar Pareja’s Orlando City SC now fly northwest to contest their furthest MLS away game of 2024 – San Jose Earthquakes at PayPal Park.
Our first MLS visit to Northern California since August 2019, Quakes have been resurgent in recent weeks, showing character to defeat Los Angeles FC (3-1) and Colorado Rapids (2-3) to arrest their horror start to the year in the Western Conference.
Nevertheless, Luchi Gonzalez’s side come into this game gutted and downbeat after painfully throwing away a 0-2 lead at Portland Timbers on Wednesday. Losing 4-2 in the end, the entire momentum of the game switched after Quakes centre back Bruno Wilson received a red card for a goal-line handball in his own box on 72 minutes, conceding an untimely penalty in turn.
From here, Timbers ruthlessly made their one-man advantage count with Evander’s resulting penalty (74), Jonathan Rodríguez (80), a Felipe Mora penalty (90), and a second goal of the night from Jonathan Rodríguez (90+10) stealing away all three points for Phil Neville’s men, breaking Quakes hearts in the process.
Last time out
On Wednesday, Orlando City SC‘s extended their MLS unbeaten streak to two games after drawing 0-0 with Florida rivals and 2024 Supporters’ Shield leaders Inter Miami at home.
The result ensured that The Herons have still never won a single game at Inter&Co Stadium in seven separate attempts (all competitions).
Granted, we painfully didn’t score a single goal against our Florida rivals this 2024 regular season.
Nevertheless, we can take great heart from shutting out Major League Soccer’s most potent attack – especially considering that our club captain Robin Jansson was missing through injury.
Indeed, Inter Miami had won five consecutive MLS fixtures prior to Wednesday night and remain the runaway leaders in goals scored this season, with 35 so far.
It was also just the second time this regular season that The Herons have been held scoreless.
Orlando City SC’s hopes of victory received a significant boost before the game when the world’s greatest ever player, Lionel Messi, was ruled out due to a leg injury sustained at CF Montréal.
For the casual happy clappers who had eagerly paid top dollar to see Messi up close and personal, Messi has yet to set foot in Inter&Co Stadium, having also missed last September’s MLS head-to-head.
Perhaps he’s scared?
Even in the absence of the Argentine star, the Eastern Conference leaders still fielded a formidable lineup, featuring the likes of Sergio Busquets, Luis Suárez, assist maestro Julian Gressel, and their promising new signing Matías Rojas.
A strong Orlando City SC response was always going to be key in this game.
Especially given the manner of the Lions’ embarrassing and humiliating 5-0 defeat at Inter Miami’s Chase Stadium back on March 2.
Fortunately, yesterday saw Orlando City SC put in a spirited performance, one brimming with heart, fight, and commitment – everything we had hoped to see on the field in Fort Lauderdale.
The confidence gained from winning 2-3 at Philadelphia Union undoubtedly played a part, but it was a hotel team bonding session organised before yesterday’s Inter Miami game that seemed to make a difference.
Orlando City SC players appeared fired up, showcasing a determined first-half performance characterised by a potent attacking threat – a rarity for us this season.
On the night, Oscar Pareja bravely persisted with his bold 3-5-2 formation, the same one that had brought success against Philadelphia Union a game prior.
With only two natural defenders on the pitch, it was a sink-or-swim moment – especially against higher-calibre opposition like Inter Miami.
In the absence of Robin Jansson due to his ankle injury, Rodrigo Schlegel returned to the starting lineup following his recent one-game suspension.
All eyes were firmly fixed on Schlegel’s performance with City supporters’ patience having worn completely thin due to his consistent errors and lapses in judgement.
But to the Lions’ credit, we stood firm, especially in the 2nd minute when Pedro Gallese made an impressive dive to his left, denying Luis Suárez with a superb save, preventing an early hammer blow.
Buoyed by the confidence boost of saving Dániel Gazdag’s second penalty in our 2-3 win at Philadelphia Union, Gallese now looks more determined than ever to rediscover his best form.
With El Pulpo making two other key saves against Inter Miami on Wednesday, it was a night where both goalkeepers reigned supreme.
After all, Drake Callender also made three crucial saves of his own, helping The Herons to extend their unbeaten streak to eight MLS games.
On 32 minutes, Callender displayed cat-like reflexes to palm away a low and powerful Martín Ojeda shot from close range.
He followed this up with a remarkable leaping save to deny Luis Muriel just a minute later.
Orlando City SC continued to test Callender early in the second-half, but the USMNT hopeful thwarted David Brekalo’s header on 52 minutes.
Later in the game, a collision between Pedro Gallese and Luis Suárez briefly halted play.
However, to the relief of City supporters, Gallese received treatment and was able to continue on the field.
Orlando City SC’s frustrations boiled over on 72 minutes when César Araújo’s reckless foul on Julian Gressel earned him his fifth yellow card of the season, resulting in a suspension for this Saturday’s trip to San Jose Earthquakes.
Just four minutes later, the closest chance of the second-half came when Nicolás Lodeiro and Duncan McGuire set up Facundo Torres, who delivered a cross to Luis Muriel.
However, Inter Miami defenders quickly closed in to deny Muriel a clear shot on goal.
On the night, Inter Miami dominated possession with nearly 59%, but Orlando City SC out-shot The Herons 14 to 6 and earned eight corners compared to the visitors’ four.
With City exerting their fair share of pressure throughout the game, it was all the more frustrating that we couldn’t capitalise with a memorable MLS Rivalry Week goal.
Last head-to-head
Being a long-haul Western Conference opponent, MLS fixtures between San Jose Earthquakes and Orlando City SC are few and far between.
Indeed, you have to go back as far as June 22, 2021 for the last league meeting between these sides.
Thankfully, the last meeting was a victorious occasion for Orlando City SC, albeit on a night marred by severe weather delays.
Thrashing Quakes 5-0 at Inter&Co Stadium, this result is currently tied first with our 6-1 win over New England Revolution (September 2017) as our highest ever margin of victory in Major League Soccer.
On the night, Daryl Dike marked his first starting appearance of 2021 with a brace, reminding everybody of his quality after returning from an impressive loan spell in the EFL Championship with Barnsley.
Converting a penalty in our comprehensive 5-0 triumph, El Capitão Nani also played a pivotal role in setting up both of Daryl Dike’s goals.
Our second consecutive MLS victory and a fifth win in seven league fixtures, Benji Michel also made his mark with his first two goals of 2021.
A win that helped Orlando City SC to solidify second spot in the Eastern Conference at the time, our five-goal triumph marked the Lions’ most significant scoring feat since a 5-1 win over FC Cincinnati in May 2019.
What’s at stake this time?
Orlando City SC currently sit eleventh in the Eastern Conference with 13 points from 12 games played.
This is just one point adrift of ninth-placed Philadelphia Union who currently occupy the last MLS Wild Card match slot.
The Lions are also six points above current wooden spoon holders New England Revolution who remain at the foot of the Eastern Conference and 2024 Supporters’ Shield standings on just seven points.
Although it was disappointing not to secure a win against a Lionel Messi-less Inter Miami, we can take great satisfaction from our significantly improved defensive performance.
Especially in the intensity of a Sunshine Clásico fixture against our Florida rivals with the eyes of the world watching.
However, our disappointing start to 2024 has fuelled a real sense of urgency and determination to climb the Eastern Conference standings and secure a playoff spot as soon as possible.
With Columbus Crew sitting on 18 points and currently holding the last automatic qualification spot for the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs, Orlando City SC definitely have ground to make up.
However, the fact that we are within striking distance of ninth-placed Philadelphia Union certainly provides motivation for both City players and supporters alike.
As for Saturday’s opponents San Jose Earthquakes, they still sit perilously at the bottom of the Western Conference on just 10 points.
This is despite achieving a pair of morale-boosting back-to-back MLS victories against Los Angeles FC (3-1) and Colorado Rapids (2-3) this May.
A side full of cracks (no earthquake pun intended!), Quakes are defensively leaky and fragile, especially following their painful 4-2 defeat at Portland Timbers yesterday evening.
Ultimately, San Jose Earthquakes have failed to keep a single clean sheet in all 13 of their MLS fixtures this season, so there is a big opportunity for Orlando City SC to grab goals at PayPal Park.
In this moment, the Lions will be looking to harness their newfound confidence to take the game to Luchi Gonzalez’s side, despite the fatigue of long-haul cross-country travel.
Opposition danger men
When it comes to San Jose Earthquakes danger men, Argentine right winger Cristian Espinoza is the standout Designated Player for the Northern California side.
Initially loaned to Quakes from La Liga side Villarreal back in January 2019, Espinoza made the permanent switch to PayPal Park in December of that year.
Becoming San Jose Earthquakes’ all-time assist leader (51 assists) back in July 2023, Cristian Espinoza has two goals and eight assists so far this MLS season.
This takes his current all-time MLS record for Quakes to a highly impressive 30 goals and 65 assists.
If there is one play that sums up Cristian Espinoza’s talent and abilities, it’s his recent inch-perfect curling assist against in-state California rivals Los Angeles FC back on May 4.
From just over the halfway line, Espinoza sent in a devastating cross from deep that took out two LAFC defenders before Amahl Pellegrino tucked it home for Quakes’ second goal.
This 3-1 statement victory helped San Jose Earthquakes fans to forget their terrible start to 2024, temporarily easing the pressure on under-fire head coach Luchi Gonzalez.
At Levi’s Stadium, where the San Francisco 49ers play, over 40,000 fans rose in a standing ovation for Quakes who were temporarily playing up the road from their usual PayPal Park home.
New opposition faces
Because Orlando City SC last faced San Jose Earthquakes back in 2021, Quakes have made many, many roster changes since then.
So, let’s concentrate on some of the players recruited by Quakes for the current 2024 MLS season.
During the off-season, San Jose Earthquakes made significant moves to support Jeremy Ebobisse in attack by bringing in Norwegian winger / striker Amahl Pellegrino and American striker Preston Judd.
In exchange for $200,000 of future General Allocation Money, San Jose Earthquakes acquired Judd from California Clásico rivals LA Galaxy.
As for Pellegrino, he signed a two-year deal in Northern California following a prolific three-year stint with Norwegian side Bodø/Glimt.
Additionally, in a bid to reassure San Jose Earthquakes supporters worried about the club’s MLS ambitions, Quakes added exciting Argentine attacking midfielder Hernán López to their roster in April.
The great-nephew of Argentine football legend Diego Maradona, 23-year-old López literally has soccer greatness within his genes!
Responding to the long-time pleas of Quakes supporters for a quality addition in the number 10 position, San Jose Earthquakes reportedly shattered their transfer record by spending $6 million on acquiring Hernán López from Godoy Cruz.
Clearly, this huge outlay underlines the immense potential they see in the 5 ft 6 in trickster.
Indeed, it didn’t take long for Hernán López to grab his first MLS goal for Quakes.
Scoring an equaliser from 2-0 down in a 2-3 comeback victory at Colorado Rapids last Saturday, this was only Hernán’s second league appearance and first start.
More recently, Wednesday saw Hernán López score his second MLS goal, impressively dispatching San Jose Earthquakes’ second strike in their aforementioned 4-2 defeat at Portland Timbers.
For what it’s worth, Godoy Cruz are the same Argentine team that Orlando City SC signed Martín Ojeda from in January 2023, a player of a similar attacking profile to Hernán, only two years older.
Lastly, despite Quakes having several new faces on their roster, head coach Luchi Gonzalez is now into his second season in charge at PayPal Park.
There will certainly be mutual respect on the touchline this Saturday, as Oscar Pareja and Gonzalez know each other extremely well having spent many years working together at FC Dallas.
Injuries and suspensions
Heading into this game, Ramiro Enrique (right ankle), Michael Halliday (right knee), Robin Jansson (ankle), and young Homegrown Player Tahir Reid-Brown (left thigh) are all definitely out for the Lions.
Elsewhere, Rafael Santos (right shoulder) is questionable.
As for San Jose Earthquakes, goalkeepers Daniel (lower body) and JT Marcinkowski (knee) are out of this game, as is young rookie defender Jamar Ricketts (lower body).
Despite two goalkeepers being injured for the Quakes, they did sign the experienced William Yarbrough in the off-season.
Yarbrough currently holds the number one position for the Bay Area side and has started nine MLS games so far this season.
Suspension-wise, César Araújo will miss this game after his reckless foul on Inter Miami’s Julian Gressel earned him his fifth yellow card of the season.
Now serving a one-game suspension, the Uruguayan will next be in contention to face Columbus Crew at Inter&Co Stadium on May 25.
For San Jose Earthquakes, the Independent Review Panel have approved their appeal against Bruno Wilson’s red card received in their 4-2 defeat at Portland Timbers on Wednesday.
This means that Quakes’ Portuguese centre back is now eligible to face Orlando City SC this Saturday after his one-game ban was rescinded.
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San Jose Earthquakes vs Orlando City SC
Last 3 head-to-heads
- April 21, 2018: Orlando City SC 3 San Jose Earthquakes 2 (MLS)
- August 31, 2019: San Jose Earthquakes 3 Orlando City SC 0 (MLS)
- June 22, 2021: Orlando City SC 5 San Jose Earthquakes 0 (MLS)
2015/21 head-to-head stats
- It was 5-0 to Orlando the last time the sides met (June 2021)
- Played Quakes 6 times in MLS – Quakes 1, Draws 3, Orlando 2
- Three or more goals have been scored in 4 of the 6 MLS head-to-heads
- Quakes have failed to keep a single clean sheet in all 13 of their MLS fixtures this season
- Orlando have scored at least 2 goals in their last 3 away fixtures in MLS
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Watching the game
San Jose Earthquakes vs Orlando City SC will be shown live on Apple TV at 03:30 (GMT) on Sunday, May 19.
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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