After substitute Jack Lynn scored very late on to help Orlando City SC secure a precious 0-1 win at San Jose Earthquakes, Oscar Pareja’s Lions now return to Inter&Co Stadium to take on 2023 MLS Cup champions Columbus Crew.
The clubs’ first meeting since Crew painfully eliminated the Lions from the 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs, Wilfried Nancy’s side are currently placed seventh in the Eastern Conference with 21 points from 13 games played.
The 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup finalists come into this game upbeat after securing two back-to-back 1-3 MLS victories on the road, most recently at traditional rivals Chicago Fire last Saturday.
By the banks of Lake Michigan at Soldier Field, goals from Diego Rossi, Christian Ramirez, and Jacen Russell-Rowe sealed another away day victory for Crew after their 1-3 win at CF Montréal a game prior.
Last time out
Last Saturday, Jack Lynn scored in the 89th minute to secure a dramatic 0-1 victory for Orlando City SC at San Jose Earthquakes.
Inflicting a tenth defeat of the MLS season on the Western Conference’s bottom team, it was super satisfying to claim all three points so late on in our longest road trip of the regular season.
During our long-haul away day out west, a reinvigorated Pedro Gallese was pivotal, making four crucial saves that laid the foundations for Orlando City SC’s precious and timely victory.
On 88 minutes, Gallese made a one-handed diving save to deny late second-half substitute Jack Skahan.
This save was extra significant because it came right before the counter-attack that culminated in Jack Lynn’s decisive game winner.
In Northern California, Oscar Pareja continued with our daring 3-5-2 formation.
Ultimately, this tactical shift has now extended our MLS unbeaten streak to three games, marking a timely upswing in form and momentum following our poor start to 2024.
The only changes to the starting lineup saw Dagur Dan Thórhallsson return but at right wing back in place of Martín Ojeda with Iván Angulo interestingly tucked inside behind Duncan McGuire and Luis Muriel in attack.
Meanwhile, Felipe Martins enjoyed a rare start too, deputising for the suspended César Araújo.
On the night, game-winning hero Jack Lynn was unexpectedly subbed in for Duncan McGuire just 16 minutes into the match.
McGuire was forced to leave the game at PayPal Park after sustaining a shoulder injury in a collision with Bruno Wilson.
And Quakes’ Portuguese centre back was only playing after his recent red card at Portland Timbers was overturned by the Independent Review Panel.
Although McGuire was seen on the sidelines with his arm in a sling, he seemed to be in good spirits.
For Jack Lynn’s game-winning goal, Iván Angulo deserves massive credit for his incredible solo run forward after City cleared a late Quakes corner.
Pinching the ball from Niko Tsakiris before setting off within his own half, Angulo used his blistering pace to make one of his trademark rapid runs all the way down the left wing.
Too fast for Jack Skahan to keep up, the Colombian left him behind and delivered a precise cross into Martín Ojeda.
In a surprising twist inside the Quakes’ box, Ojeda’s volley took an unexpected trajectory toward William Yarbrough’s goal, inadvertently landing right into the path of clinical goal poacher, Lynn, who calmly finished from close range.
We all know that MLS NEXT Pro’s all-time leading goalscorer (34 goals) doesn’t usually require second chances to bury big opportunities in the box like this!
Considering that William Yarbrough made crucial saves to deny Dagur Dan Thórhallsson (59 minutes) and Jack Lynn (82 minutes) before Lynn’s late game winner, it did look as if we might regret squandering these big chances.
Especially when Cristian Espinoza flashed a shot just inches past Pedro Gallese’s right hand post on 86 minutes to leave City supporters’ hearts in their mouths.
But after fighting all the way until the full-time whistle and securing our late 0-1 victory, Pedro Gallese earned his second consecutive shutout and third of the MLS season.
The result also marked Orlando City SC’s first ever win at San Jose Earthquakes in four separate attempts.
Defeating Quakes 5-0 in the clubs’ previous MLS encounter back in June 2021, the Bay Area side now haven’t scored against Orlando City SC in over 180 minutes of soccer!
Lastly, Orlando City SC’s 0-1 victory at San Jose Earthquakes marked a significant milestone for head coach Oscar Pareja.
It was Papi’s 70th win across all competitions for City and his 60th victory with the Lions in Major League Soccer.
Last head-to-head
Orlando City SC last faced Columbus Crew in that fateful 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs Eastern Conference Semi-Final back in November 2023.
Extra-time goals by Christian Ramirez and Cucho Hernández (0-2) (A.E.T.) eliminated City from the post-season with Crew going on to win 2023 MLS Cup themselves.
The bitter disappointment of that night still haunts me and many other Lions to this day.
Of all the levels in which this defeat stung, let’s start with the 77th minute where referee Jon Freemon handed Rodrigo Schlegel a deserved second yellow card and a red for tugging down Diego Rossi who was sprinting towards Pedro Gallese‘s goal.
After enjoying his longest run of games as a starter (13) prior to this Eastern Conference Semi-Final, Schlegel had been playing with greater calmness and maturity, stamping out the recklessness that annoyingly continues to blight his game in 2024.
On this night however, Rodrigo Schlegel picked up an early yellow card in the first-half, marking the beginning of the end.
With Schlegel’s rash and totally avoidable challenge proving catastrophic, especially given Columbus Crew’s attacking dynamism, the Lions dug really deep to defend valiantly throughout much of a difficult 120+ minutes.
For City supporters, it was incredibly frustrating that it was a second ever home Eastern Conference Semi-Final in which Orlando City SC were reduced to 10 men.
Yet again denied a chance to see 11 vs. 11 heading towards the crucial latter stages of a single elimination fixture, Schlegel’s sending off was definitely the correct decision from Jon Freemon.
Ultimately, when you receive red cards in games of this magnitude, it makes the task of progressing incredibly difficult, if not near-on impossible in the minds of players and supporters.
Following Mauricio Pereyra‘s infamous dismissal against New England Revolution (1-3) in 2020, an untimely red card proved City’s major undoing yet again – an agonising truth to accept as a City supporter.
In all my years watching Orlando City SC in Major League Soccer, Oscar Pareja‘s class of 2023 genuinely felt like a roster that could go all the way to lifting MLS Cup as second seed, given our subsequent home field advantage last year.
Even MLS pundits and analysts were starting to agree!
With an untimely FIFA international break right before this game leaving City supporters more time to agonisingly conjure up daydreamy feelings about contesting 2023 MLS Cup in Central Florida, this prospect was cruelly snatched away in one fateful night.
Only adding to our anguish, Martín Ojeda came just inches away from burying a buzzer beater at the end of the second-half in what would’ve sealed a 1-0 Papi special win for the ages.
But 2024 wasn’t to be our year despite finishing a hugely impressive second to FC Cincinnati in the 2023 Supporters’ Shield.
What’s at stake this time?
While they won’t admit it publicly, Orlando City SC will be seeking revenge on Saturday after Columbus Crew cruelly ended our 2023 MLS Cup dream.
Earlier today, Rodrigo Schlegel stated to the press that “it’s just another game” but the microscope will be firmly cast on his performance following his infamous red card in last year’s Eastern Conference Semi-Final.
Rising to tenth in the Eastern Conference following our 0-1 win at San Jose Earthquakes, Orlando City SC currently have 16 points from 13 games played.
This is just one point adrift of both eighth-placed Philadelphia Union and ninth-placed D.C. United who currently occupy the two MLS Wild Card match slots.
At this point, it’s worth noting that D.C. have played one game more (14) than both Union and our Lions, however.
City are now also nine points above current wooden spoon holders New England Revolution who remain stranded at the foot of the Eastern Conference and 2024 Supporters’ Shield standings on just seven points.
Now that Orlando City SC have won three road games this season – all by the odd goal too – we need to build on this by improving our poor record at home.
Indeed, Inter&Co Stadium has only seen a single MLS victory this season against Austin FC (2-0) back on March 23.
Our three-game unbeaten streak should mean confidence is high but achieving a victory over 2023 MLS Cup champions Columbus Crew looks anything but straightforward – at least on paper.
Nevertheless, it’s been reassuring to see Orlando City SC rally and show signs of life over the past fortnight or so.
You can definitely tell that 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 Saturday’s opponents Columbus Crew sitting on 21 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 both Philadelphia Union and D.C. United certainly provides motivation for both City players and supporters alike.
As for Columbus Crew, the 2023 MLS Cup champions are currently ten points behind Eastern Conference leaders Inter Miami who’ve tallied 31 points so far.
Yet, Wilfried Nancy has impressively guided the Crew to the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup Final, notably overcoming Mexican powerhouses Tigres UANL and Monterrey in challenging two-legged matchups along the way.
As Orlando City SC know all too well, juggling the MLS regular season with high-level continental competition is a mighty tough ask.
But the Crew have impressively managed to cling onto a playoff spot despite reaching the final of North America’s elite club competition.
Because Crew’s game against Pachuca in the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup Final is next weekend, it will be interesting to see if Wilfried Nancy opts to rotate some of his key players against Orlando City SC in preparation for that huge clash.
Opposition danger men
When it comes to Columbus Crew danger men, their best player Cucho Hernández will not be available to face Orlando City SC this Saturday.
On Wednesday, Wilfried Nancy confirmed that Cucho will be missing due to a back injury that also kept him out of Crew’s 1-3 win at Chicago Fire last Saturday.
While this is a huge boost to Orlando City SC, Columbus Crew are stacked with plenty of other top talents.
Most notably fellow striker Diego Rossi who has tallied five MLS goals and eight MLS assists for Crew since joining from Fenerbahçe last August.
No stranger to Major League Soccer having won the 2019 Supporters’ Shield with Los Angeles FC, Rossi is a striker in form having scored in Crew’s last two consecutive wins at CF Montréal (1-3) and Chicago Fire (1-3).
Besides Diego Rossi, central midfielders Aidan Morris and Darlington Nagbe are two of the other crucial cogs in Wilfried Nancy’s Crew machine.
While everybody knows about the quality Nagbe provides after a distinguished 13-year career in MLS, Aidan Morris is very much a player on the rise.
Having made his senior international debut with the USMNT in January 2023, the 22-year-old Fort Lauderdale native has won five caps to date.
Renowned for his relentless work rate, his excellent vision, and his composed tactical awareness, Morris has all the tools to earn a future transfer to Europe.
Wilfried Nancy will decide, but he could rest Diego Rossi, Darlington Nagbe, and Aidan Morris in Orlando before Crew’s 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup Final against Pachuca next weekend.
Only time will tell.
While I’ve name-dropped these three stars, it is actually Ghanaian wide man Yaw Yeboah who is Crew’s assist leader (4) in MLS right now – a very dangerous player in his own right.
As is Canadian right wing back Mohamed Farsi who is extra distinguishable on the pitch because he wears leggings, not shorts.
Like Yeboah, Farsi supplements Crew attacks with his rapid pace and ability to spring quick counters.
Recently returning to the Crew fold following a groin injury, Mohamed Farsi truly adds another attacking dimension to Crew’s play – something Orlando City SC must pay close attention to.
New opposition faces
Since the clubs’ last meeting in the 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs, Crew spent the off-season adding a few finishing touches to a roster already brimming with talent.
Recruiting Guatemala international goalkeeper Nicholas Hagen to provide seasoned backup for Patrick Schulte, Crew also brought in MLS-experienced midfielder Derrick Jones.
Elsewhere, talented Colombian winger Marino Hinestroza also adds quality depth to Crew’s thin roster, recently proving his worth by scoring in the club’s 1-3 away victory at CF Montréal.
Also handing first team contracts to teenage Homegrown midfielders Taha Habroune and Cole Mrowka for 2024, Columbus Crew operate with one of the smallest, yet most talented rosters in all of Major League Soccer (22 players only).
Injuries and suspensions
Heading into this game, Michael Halliday (right knee), Duncan McGuire (shoulder), and young Homegrown Player Tahir Reid-Brown (left thigh) are all definitely out for the Lions.
Elsewhere, Ramiro Enrique (right ankle) and Robin Jansson (ankle) are both questionable.
As for Columbus Crew, veteran goalkeeper Evan Bush (arm) and star striker Cucho Hernández (back) are definitely out.
Last but not least, César Araújo is back in contention for Orlando City SC after missing the San Jose Earthquakes game due to his recent one-game suspension.
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Orlando City SC vs Columbus Crew
Last 3 head-to-heads
- May 13, 2023: Columbus Crew 2 Orlando City SC 2 (MLS)
- September 16, 2023: Orlando City SC 4 Columbus Crew 3 (MLS)
- November 25, 2023: Orlando City SC 0 Columbus Crew 2 (A.E.T.) (2023 MLS Cup Playoffs)
2015/23 head-to-head stats
- It was 0-2 (A.E.T.) to Crew the last time the sides met (November 2023)
- Played Crew 20 times in MLS – Orlando 9, Draws 4, Crew 7
- Orlando have won 8 of the last 11 MLS head-to-heads
- Orlando are winless in their last 4 MLS fixtures at home
- In Crew’s last 3 MLS fixtures, Max Arfsten and Diego Rossi have each scored 2 goals
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Watching the game
Orlando City SC vs Columbus Crew will be shown live on Apple TV at 00:30 (GMT) on Sunday, May 26.
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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