The melancholy feeling of disappointment lingers on and on for Orlando City SC who suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat against New York Red Bulls back on June 1.
Frankly speaking, the small flickers of hope for sneaking into the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs continue to dwindle week by week.
Having had a whole fortnight to stew over our disappointing 1-0 defeat at New York Red Bulls, the Lions now return to Inter&Co Stadium for a cross-conference meeting with in form Los Angeles FC who have won five MLS games in a row, conceding ZERO goals in the process!
Things could certainly get worse before they get better for Oscar Pareja and his side. Seeing our five-game unbeaten road streak snapped at Red Bull Arena, we could’ve played until midnight and still not scored!
Last time out
Before our recent bye week, New York Red Bulls narrowly defeated Orlando City SC 1-0 at Red Bull Arena on June 1.
A really disappointing performance bereft of quality, Orlando City UK understands that City didn’t land in New Jersey until 2am on gameday due to plane issues.
Finally arriving at our team hotel by 3am, these circumstances are far from ideal, but that’s still no excuse.
On a bright spring night in Harrison, New Jersey, Oscar Pareja went with a 3-1-4-2 formation after deploying a 3-4-2-1 at Chicago Fire.
The experiment of using three centre backs began with our 2-3 victory at Philadelphia Union on May 11, and it looks like this defensive setup is here to stay.
Welcoming back Duncan McGuire after his shoulder injury at San Jose Earthquakes, Big Dunc started the game in place of Luis Muriel but was withdrawn for the Colombian at half-time.
As expected, New York Red Bulls started the game on the front foot in typical high energy fashion.
Only seven minutes in, Pedro Gallese had to be on his toes to palm away a dangerous Noah Eile header off a Red Bulls corner.
Indeed, New York Red Bulls always posed a significant threat from corners and free-kicks, as many of their players towered over those of Orlando City SC.
While we saw Gallese’s brilliance early on, unfortunately, we witnessed his worst on 38 minutes.
Sadly, reports of El Pulpo’s demise aren’t being exaggerated right now.
Just four days prior at Chicago Fire, he spilled a tame shot from Hugo Cuypers right through his fingertips – an equaliser that effectively cost us all three points.
In the first-half at Red Bull Arena, Gallese set up his wall incorrectly, allowing John Tolkin’s long-range free-kick to get past him.
Probably expecting Emil Forsberg to take the free-kick, Gallese second-guessed his setup and couldn’t return to his near post quickly enough, leaving him to pick Tolkin’s strike out of the back of his net.
Looking back, it was soft the way in which Lewis Morgan won John Tolkin his free-kick, but we still should’ve defended the play much better.
Heading into half-time 1-0 down, Orlando City SC embarrassingly only managed just one shot attempt in the first-half, being out-shot seven to one.
Taking immediate action at half-time, Oscar Pareja subbed out Dagur Dan Thórhallsson and Duncan McGuire for Ramiro Enrique and Luis Muriel.
Despite switching personnel, it was John Tolkin who unleashed another fierce strike from range on 58 minutes.
With absolutely no pressure on the ball from the Lions, the strike proved too hot to handle for Gallese who spilled it right into the path of Dante Vanzeir who headed the rebound over the bar.
On 71 minutes, substitute Elias Manoel thought he’d doubled Red Bulls’ advantage by blasting a strike past Pedro Gallese.
However, referee Drew Fischer had already blown his whistle for a foul on Iván Angulo by John Tolkin.
With replays showing that Tolkin tugged Angulo in the build-up, it was the right call for sure.
Time seemed to pass twice as fast in this game, reflecting the desperation of Orlando City SC supporters to witness any legitimate attacking threat from the Lions.
With City seemingly incapable of getting a shot away right now, Carlos Coronel was barely tested all evening in the Red Bulls goal.
Ultimately, Oscar Pareja’s Lions look worryingly devoid of ideas as an attacking force, now 16 MLS regular season games down.
In the final 15 minutes of the game, it was a case of ‘what we have, we hold’ from New York Red Bulls, with Sandro Schwarz’s side looking content to sit on their one-goal advantage, given how feeble Orlando City SC’s attempts to equalise were.
With New York Red Bulls easily navigating ten minutes of second-half stoppage time, City supporters were probably glad for a two-week break by the full-time whistle.
A sad indictment, indeed.
Last head-to-head
The last time that Orlando City SC faced Los Angeles FC in MLS, the Lions suffered a painful 2-4 defeat at Inter&Co Stadium way back in April 2022.
Significantly, it was the first time that City had suffered consecutive home losses under Oscar Pareja.
On the night, Orlando City SC started the game fantastically, playing fast, fluid attacking football as we took the game to LAFC.
On 18 minutes however, panic ensued as Antônio Carlos pulled up with high hamstring injury on his left leg.
Really rattling us and knocking us out of our stride, City’s worst fears were realised the following week when Antônio Carlos was ruled out for 12 to 16 weeks.
On 24 minutes, LAFC’s Brian Rodríguez opened the scoring (0-1).
Involved in Antônio Carlos’ injury, the Uruguayan’s goal came very much against the run of play.
City channeled their aggression positively however.
Alexandre Pato’s left footed volley tied the game, yet again underlining his re-emergence as a top class professional (1-1).
Just two minutes later, a mistimed Ruan header then gifted Jesús Murillo a goal to make it 1-2, but Orlando City SC fought back yet again.
With João Moutinho drilling home a Mauricio Pereyra dime of an assist, it was João’s second ever City goal, both coming ironically against former side LAFC (2-2).
Successfully assisting both of City goals, Mauricio Pereyra became tied with Nani for the most ever Orlando City SC assists (26) at the time.
After half-time, a savvy Los Angeles FC made their quality and game management tell, stifling Orlando City SC and limiting us to very few opportunities.
Steve Cherundolo smartly subbed off Francisco Ginella for José Cifuentes at the half.
The Ecuadorian’s introduction coincided with LAFC bossing the midfield.
Ilie Sánchez gave Los Angeles FC the lead for the third time on 51 minutes (2-3) before a Mahala Opoku strike made the game safe in second-half stoppage time (2-4).
All in all, Orlando City SC were severely punished for careless defending all evening.
Taught a lesson by one of the best teams in Major League Soccer, it was a brutal learning experience for Oscar Pareja’s men.
What’s at stake this time?
I’m no head coach, but don’t you think Oscar Pareja is tinkering too much with formations and personnel right now?
Don’t get me wrong; when a team isn’t performing, it’s tempting to chop and change until you find the right solution.
Some may even call it proactive.
But having started the season in a familiar 4-2-3-1 shape, then switching to a 3-1-4-2, and now occasionally adapting to 3-4-2-1, all with interchangeable personnel too, it feels like we’re amateurishly throwing stuff at a wall and seeing what sticks!
The game is fluid, I get that, but last time out against the New York Red Bulls, Iván Angulo seemed to switch between defensive and attacking roles constantly.
As for Facundo Torres, he played as a support striker at New York Red Bulls and a left wing back at Chicago Fire a game prior.
This constant shifting of positions is throwing off our team’s rhythm, and it’s evident in our lacklustre performances.
We need to find some consistency instead of trying to fit square pegs into round holes, or it’s likely we’ll continue to struggle on the field.
All season long, Orlando City SC supporters’ hopes of genuinely reaching the post-season have dangled by a thread.
Quite simply, when your team isn’t scoring enough goals, it becomes really difficult to achieve your objectives.
Looking back at our last five MLS scorelines, they read 0-0, 0-1, 0-2, 1-1, and 1-0.
While we were very much in all five of these games, our inability to score or capitalise while we’re on top has cost us dear.
10 points to be precise!
Right now, Orlando City SC are eleventh in the Eastern Conference having tallied just 17 points from 16 games played.
Currently trailing ninth place by two points and seventh place by seven points, you have to be concerned about the direction City is heading.
While time is still on our side, if Orlando City SC don’t get their act together soon, Oscar Pareja could miss out on the MLS Cup Playoffs for the first time in his City tenure.
Opposition danger men
When it comes to Los Angeles FC danger men, Gabon international forward Denis Bouanga is the Black & Gold’s talisman.
Not just LAFC’s best player, he’s one of the best players in all of Major League Soccer.
Since joining LAFC from Saint-Étienne for $5 million back in August 2022, Bouanga has tallied a mighty impressive 31 MLS goals and 12 MLS assists.
Definitely paying back LAFC’s investment and then some, Denis Bouanga not only won the 2022 MLS Cup and 2022 Supporters’ Shield under Steve Cherundolo.
He followed up this stellar year by winning the 2023 MLS Golden Boot after scoring 20 goals, using a late regular season surge to become last year’s top scorer.
Scoring what proved to be a consolation goal in LAFC’s 2-1 2023 MLS Cup Final defeat at Columbus Crew, Bouanga and LAFC are determined to reach a third successive MLS Cup this year.
Either deployed as a centre forward or a left winger, Denis Bouanga is renowned for his explosive pace and clinical finishing ability.
If Orlando City SC’s defenders aren’t on their game, Bouanga will ruthlessly punish them.
While this game has come too soon for former Arsenal, Chelsea, and AC Milan forward Olivier Giroud who will join LAFC in July, other threats right now include Mateusz Bogusz and Eduard Atuesta.
Currently LAFC’s starting centre forward prior to Giroud’s arrival, former Poland Under-21 international Bogusz has six goals and three assists so far this MLS season.
Possessing a fearsome shot, the super versatile Bogusz isn’t afraid to shoot from distance.
As for Atuesta, he is a familiar name in Major League Soccer having spent three seasons with Los Angeles FC from 2019 through 2021.
Now back at BMO Stadium on a one-year loan from Palmeiras, Eduard Atuesta’s passing, vision, and playmaking abilities make him a dangerous proposition for any MLS opponent.
The twice-capped Colombian international has two goals and four assists so far this MLS season.
New opposition faces
Since the clubs’ last MLS meeting in April 2022, Los Angeles FC’s roster has undergone significant upheaval.
Bidding farewell to Kellyn Acosta, Chicho Arango, Mark-Anthony Kaye, Brian Rodríguez, and Carlos Vela in recent years, LAFC also said goodbye to legendary Italian centre back Giorgio Chiellini who retired at the end of 2023.
With so many top talents to replace, Steve Cherundolo and the Los Angeles FC Front Office deserve huge credit for refreshing their roster while staying at the sharp end of the Western Conference.
LAFC spent the off-season adding Hugo Lloris, Omar Campos, Tomas Ángel, and David Martínez to their already talented roster.
March also saw the Black & Gold recruit MLS veterans Maxime Chanot and Kei Kamara to bolster their experience and depth.
Boasting a wealth of experience, former French international captain Hugo Lloris has kept seven clean sheets in 16 MLS appearances so far.
As for Tomás Ángel, son of New York Red Bulls legend Juan Pablo Ángel, he is one for the future at only 21-years-old.
Also handing first team contracts to Lorenzo Dellavalle, Luis Müller, and Tommy Musto in 2024, LAFC operate with one of the smallest, yet most talented rosters in all of Major League Soccer (25 players only).
Injuries, international call-ups, and suspensions
Heading into this game, Michael Halliday (right knee) and young Homegrown Player Tahir Reid-Brown (left thigh) are both definitely out for the Lions.
Ultimately, Orlando City SC’s recent MLS bye week fell at a good time because only three Lions will be missing due to international call-ups this Saturday.
| PLAYER | NATIONAL TEAM | REASON |
| David Brekalo | Slovenia | UEFA Euro 2024 |
| Pedro Gallese | Peru | June 14 Friendly |
| Wilder Cartagena | Peru | June 14 Friendly |
Having both been a part of the Peru squad that faced Paraguay in a friendly on June 7, Pedro Gallese and Wilder Cartagena are also part of the squad taking on El Salvador in Philadelphia tomorrow.
As for David Brekalo, he was part of the Slovenia squad that contested two friendlies against Armenia (June 4) and Bulgaria (June 8).
However, Brekalo isn’t ready to return Stateside because he’s currently preparing for UEFA Euro 2024 after being named in Slovenia’s final 26-man squad on June 7.
Despite César Araújo (Uruguay), Favian Loyola (Chile U-20), Duncan McGuire (USMNT U-23), Abdi Salim (Somalia), and Facundo Torres (Uruguay) having also received international call-ups this June, this quintet have already contested their June friendly fixtures, so should be available to return for City.
However, Cartagena, Gallese, and McGuire will soon be missing again because of their upcoming involvement in either the 2024 Copa América or 2024 Summer Olympics.
Two players who aren’t tournament bound though are César Araújo and Facundo Torres who both didn’t make Marcelo Bielsa’s 26-man Uruguay squad for the 2024 Copa América.
With La Celeste’s final squad announced on June 8, this provides a mid-season boost to Orlando City SC but it’s understandably a disappointing and tough moment for City’s Uruguayan duo personally.
Speaking of Los Angeles FC, Lorenzo Dellavalle (knee), David Martínez (back), and Luis Müller (hip) are all definitely out for Steve Cherundolo’s men.
As for LAFC’s own international call-ups, the Black & Gold had Denis Bouanga (Gabon), Omar Campos (Mexico U-23), Maxime Chanot (Luxembourg), and Timothy Tillman (USMNT) play internationally during FIFA’s June window.
But having already contested their June friendly fixtures, this quartet should be back in contention for this game.
The dangerous Cristian Olivera will be missing though after being named in Uruguay’s final 26-man squad for the 2024 Copa América.
Signed from Almería in August 2023, Olivera has been an astute signing for LAFC having scored four goals so far this MLS season.
His absence is definitely a positive for Orlando City SC heading into this game.
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Orlando City SC vs Los Angeles FC
Last 3 head-to-heads
- September 7, 2019: Orlando City SC 2 Los Angeles FC 2 (MLS)
- July 31, 2020: Orlando City SC 1 (5) Los Angeles FC 1 (4) (A.E.T.) (#MLSisBack Tournament)
- April 2, 2022: Orlando City SC 2 Los Angeles FC 4 (MLS)
2018/22 head-to-head stats
- It was 2-4 to LAFC the last time the sides met (April 2022)
- Played LAFC 4 times in MLS – Orlando 1, Draws 1, LAFC 2
- LAFC have scored the first goal in all 4 MLS head-to-heads with Orlando
- Orlando have only scored 2 goals in their last 450+ minutes of MLS action
- LAFC have won their last 5 MLS fixtures by an aggregate score of 9-0
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Watching the game
Orlando City SC vs Los Angeles FC will be shown live on Apple TV at 00:30 (GMT) on Sunday, June 16.
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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