Before we get into this preview, Orlando City UK wants to send our love and support to Mason Stajduhar who suffered a gruesome leg break in Friday’s game at New York City FC. Fracturing his tibia and fibula in his right leg, Mason will now be placed on Orlando City SC’s Season-Ending Injury List. We’re wishing both Stajduhar and NYCFC’s Malachi Jones the speediest of recoveries following their awful collision that hopefully doesn’t jeopardise their careers.
Defeated 4-2 at Yankee Stadium, Orlando City SC are still waiting to achieve back-to-back MLS victories for the first time this season. Surrendering the chance to temporarily leapfrog our rivals Atlanta United into ninth place and the final MLS Wild Card match slot, the Lions now visit eighth-placed Toronto FC.
A second successive road game for Oscar Pareja’s Lions, Orlando City SC will be looking for a quick response following the NYCFC loss in order to get our flimsy bid to reach the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs back up and running. But having only won one of our last seven MLS fixtures (1-4-2), we need a dramatic upturn in form to save our season from being a complete disaster.
John Herdman’s Toronto FC enter this game still reeling from an embarrassing 97th minute defeat at Atlanta United (2-1) on Saturday. In a dramatic turn of events, TFC goalkeeper Luka Gavran was completely unaware of Jamal Thiaré lurking menacingly on the goal line behind him when preparing for a last-minute goal kick. Seizing the opportunity, Thiaré appeared on Gavran’s blind side as he laid the ball down. Thiaré then stole the ball, rounded Gavran, and effortlessly tapped the ball into an empty net.
Last time out
On Friday, New York City FC defeated Orlando City SC 4-2 in the Lions’ first visit to Yankee Stadium since July 2021.
Oscar Pareja made just one change to his starting line-up, raising some eyebrows by replacing Luis Muriel with Martín Ojeda.
With César Araújo’s brother, Maximiliano Araújo currently away performing well (2 goals) with Uruguay in the 2024 Copa América, César had something of his own to celebrate too – his 100th Orlando City SC appearance across all competitions.
Whenever you face NYCFC in The Bronx, you have to start well on The Pigeons’ notoriously small baseball field.
However, the Lions were on the back foot as early as the 15th minute when Santiago Rodríguez scored a wonder goal to set the tone for Orlando City SC’s ninth defeat of the 2024 MLS regular season (1-0).
With NYCFC scoring two more goals during first-half stoppage time, The Pigeons’ 4-2 win arrested a three-game losing streak.
It also pushed Nick Cushing’s side up to fourth place in the East, level on points with Charlotte FC (32) prior to Saturday’s fixtures.
In a chaotic 15 minutes of first-half stoppage time – yes, 15 minutes due to a downright awful collision between Malachi Jones and Mason Stajduhar – Hannes Wolf and Agustín Ojeda scored eight minutes apart to see NYCFC race into a 3-0 lead.
And just before the full-time whistle, substitute Mounsef Bakrar made it two goals in two games against Orlando City SC (4-2).
Prior to that, the 72nd minute saw Dagur Dan Thórhallsson score with a well-placed header after Martín Ojeda hung up a smart cross (3-1).
This was before Duncan McGuire capitalised on a calamitous mix-up by Matt Freese and his NYCFC defence in the second minute of second-half stoppage time (3-2).
Showing fight to make it 3-2 after going 3-0 down, McGuire stabbed home a shot after the ball went loose in the NYCFC penalty area, making it a one-goal game, albeit temporarily.
But looking back on the 29th minute, Mason Stajduhar was forced off the field with a severe leg fracture following an unfortunate 18th minute collision with NYCFC’s Malachi Jones.
With Stajduhar breaking his tibia and fibula in his right leg, the collision also caused Jones to leave the game with a broken tibia and fibula in his right leg too.
Struggling to catch a break all season long, this was a huge setback for the Lions.
Especially considering that Stajduhar had recently set a new club record for the most saves (11) in a single City fixture against Chicago Fire just six days earlier.
An outstanding solo performance that earned him a place in the MLS Team of the Week starting XI for the first time ever, Mason Stajduhar’s 2024 season has now brutally come to a halt.
The game can really be cruel and unpredictable at times!
Although Mason Stajduhar is now fortunately stable after being taken to a nearby New York City hospital, his leg break looks really concerning for his career.
The sight of Mason lying down on his back and frantically staring at his leg was simply horrible to witness.
Given the severity of Stajduhar’s injury, he will probably be sidelined for a very extensive period, so our prayers and thoughts are with Mason and his family right now.
Literally everything that could go wrong has gone wrong for the Lions so far this season – and it sucks!
While Agustín Ojeda had to replace Malachi Jones for the hosts, Orlando City SC had to give a baptism of fire to our third choice goalkeeper Javier Otero who made his MLS debut after four-and-a-half years with Orlando City B.
Jones’ injury came shortly after he pressured Nicolás Lodeiro into a careless turnover.
And this was costly because it led to Santiago Rodríguez’s opener.
Rodríguez received a pass from Alonso Martínez and fired a long-range right-footed shot into the net to bring Yankee Stadium to its feet (1-0).
Rodriguez also set up New York City FC’s second goal by passing to Tavyon Gray who managed to keep the ball in play on the byline after a really feeble attempt from Iván Angulo to stop him.
An enraging play, this lack of defensive commitment simply wasn’t good enough from Angulo!
Gray’s cross was finished off by Hannes Wolf from the centre of the box in first-half stoppage time (2-0).
Jamaican international Gray earned his second assist of the night by setting up Ojeda’s goal too.
Too easily moving into position, Gray delivered a precise pass into Ojeda who scored with a simple right-footed shot from the centre of the box (3-0).
On the night, NYCFC goalkeeper Matt Freese made six saves while Stajduhar made two against Alonso Martínez before Rodríguez’s opening goal.
As for Javier Otero, the inexperienced Venezuelan recorded just one save after taking over from Stajduhar.
Last head-to-head
The last time that Orlando City SC faced Toronto FC in MLS, it was super painful for the Lions.
The Reds scored two goals in just three minutes to steal a late 1-2 comeback victory 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 a steady but unspectacular four-game unbeaten streak earlier this season.
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.
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 left City thirteenth in the Eastern Conference on just nine points after nine MLS games.
What’s at stake this time?
After another busy Saturday night of Major League Soccer action, Orlando City SC sit eleventh in the Eastern Conference with 21 points from 20 games played.
Due to how Saturday’s results played out, we dropped from tenth to eleventh in one evening.
Right now, the Lions trail ninth-placed Atlanta United by three points and seventh-placed Nashville SC by five points.
While Toronto FC are currently three places above Orlando City SC in the Eastern Conference standings, they are just three points ahead of the Lions.
In short, we really need to defeat The Reds at BMO Field to reel them in.
If we are to launch an attack on the automatic qualification spots for the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs, we need an upturn in form and consistency – fast!
With 14 regular season games remaining, Orlando City SC need to win as many of these fixtures as possible to prevent missing out on the MLS Cup Playoffs for the first time in Oscar Pareja’s five-season tenure.
As you know, an eighth or ninth-placed finish seals a place in the MLS Wild Card match but what we all want is a spot in the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs proper.
In any other league worldwide, our poor 5-6-9 record would leave you nowhere near a silver lining but given the unique mechanics of Major League Soccer, we could yet salvage a post-season spot in what has been an awful outlier campaign so far.
But in 2024, Orlando City SC frustratingly look a team that takes one step forward only to take two steps back.
And our cause has become more complex now that Javier Otero will be our backup goalkeeper for the foreseeable future.
The inexperienced Venezuelan might’ve even been our starter for the next few gameweeks, but fortunately, Pedro Gallese will be returning for City this Wednesday.
After all, Saturday saw Peru eliminated from the 2024 Copa América having finished bottom of Group A (0-1-2).
Since Orlando City SC are just one Gallese injury away from having Javier Otero as our starter, we’re weaker in terms of squad depth, even though Otero is now closer to first team game time.
Following the NYCFC game, I wondered whether the Lions had eyes on the transfer market to recruit another backup stopper as Mason Stajduhar’s replacement.
However, Oscar Pareja confirmed today that the Lions will look for a number three goalkeeper internally from Orlando City B or the academy.
So, perhaps Carlos Mercado or TJ Jeffreys?
A vote of confidence for Javier Otero, the Venezuelan will now see out the remainder of 2024 as City’s number two goalkeeper.
Opposition danger men
When it comes to Toronto FC danger men, Lorenzo Insigne stands out, having recovered from a hamstring injury that sidelined him earlier this season.
Suffering this injury on March 23, Insigne returned to action for The Reds against New York City FC (2-3) on May 11 after missing Toronto FC’s 1-2 win against Orlando City SC on April 27.
This year, the 32-year-old finally started to look like the talisman Toronto FC fans envisaged he’d be.
Enduring a miserable time under Bob Bradley, the diminutive Italian has enjoyed a new lease of life under John Herdman.
Despite his spell on the sidelines, Lorenzo Insigne has scored four goals and registered five assists in MLS so far this season.
Toronto FC’s other big threat 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.
But in 2024, John Herdman’s man management has brought the best out of Bernardeschi too.
Renowned for his dribbling, shooting accuracy, and set-piece delivery, Federico Bernardeschi has eight goals and five assists so far this MLS season.
With the toxic relationship between Insigne / Bernardeschi and Bob Bradley now over, 2024 has represented a second chance for this Italian double act.
No longer part of the Italian national team, Insigne and Bernardeschi didn’t participate in UEFA Euro 2024 and are both available for this game.
Injuries, international call-ups, and suspensions
Heading into this game, Michael Halliday (right knee) and Mason Stajduhar (right lower leg) are definitely out for the Lions while young Homegrown Player Tahir Reid-Brown (left thigh) is questionable.
Orlando City SC will also be missing just one player due to mid-season international call-ups.
| PLAYER | NATIONAL TEAM | REASON |
| David Brekalo | Slovenia | UEFA Euro 2024 |
Unfortunately for David Brekalo, Portugal eliminated Slovenia from UEFA Euro 2024 at the Round of 16 stage, winning 3-0 on penalties (0-0 A.E.T.).
While he was an unused substitute against Portugal, Brekalo’s Slovenia side put in a valiant effort throughout 120+ minutes as huge underdogs.
With Jan Oblak dramatically saving a Cristiano Ronaldo penalty in extra-time, Diogo Costa managed to save all three of Slovenia’s penalty kicks in the shootout.
With Brekalo still in Germany following Slovenia’s elimination, this Toronto FC game comes too soon for him but he could return to face D.C. United on Saturday.
As for Peru’s group stage elimination from the 2024 Copa América, this was personally disappointing for Pedro Gallese and Wilder Cartagena, but it has boosted the Lions.
Indeed, Gallese and Cartagena are now ready to return to MLS action with Orlando City SC after figuring in all three of Peru’s Group A games.
While Duncan McGuire is available for this game, he will soon be missing because of his upcoming involvement with the USMNT U-23 team at the 2024 Summer Olympics.
Elsewhere, Ramiro Enrique should finally be back in contention after missing the Los Angeles FC, Charlotte FC, Chicago Fire, and New York City FC games due to a “personal matter”.
According to a tweet from Mike Gramajo today, Enrique was absent because he was waiting for a green card which has now been approved.
Ending supporter curiosity, Enrique’s green card now frees up an international slot on the Lions’ 2024 roster and helps provide cover during Duncan McGuire’s upcoming absence
After all, Tom Bogert tweeted today that McGuire has “rejected the last contract proposal from Orlando City”.
We already knew that McGuire was heading to the 2024 Summer Olympics, but it seems like we should start planning for life after Big Dunc anyway.
Mike Gramajo also tweeted today that forgotten man Luca Petrasso is back from his loan spell with Triestina in Italy.
Although Petrasso is back training with City, Gramajo says he must wait for the MLS Secondary Transfer Window to open (July 18) and get his International Transfer Certificate (ITC) before being officially reinstated on the Lions’ 2024 roster.
As for Toronto FC, Alonso Coello (thigh), Kevin Long (not due to injury), Brandon Servania (knee), and Tyrese Spicer (lower back) are definitely out for John Herdman’s side.
The Reds are also missing Richie Laryea and Jonathan Osorio due to Canada’s continued involvement in the 2024 Copa América.
But goalkeeper Sean Johnson is expected to return and play after being part of the USMNT squad that was disappointingly eliminated from Group C.
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Toronto FC vs Orlando City SC
Last 3 head-to-heads
- July 4, 2023: Orlando City SC 4 Toronto FC 0 (MLS)
- October 21, 2023: Toronto FC 0 Orlando City SC 2 (MLS)
- April 27, 2024: Orlando City SC 1 Toronto FC 2 (MLS)
2015/24 head-to-head stats
- It was 1-2 to TFC the last time the sides met (April 2024)
- Played TFC 20 times in MLS – TFC 9, Draws 3, Orlando 8
- TFC are winless in 7 MLS fixtures, losing their last 4 consecutive games
- Lorenzo Insigne has scored in 2 of TFC’s last 3 MLS fixtures at home (2 goals)
- Both sides have scored in Orlando’s last 4 MLS fixtures
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Watching the game
Toronto FC vs Orlando City SC will be shown live on Apple TV at 00:30 (GMT) on Thursday, July 4.
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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