We are finally back to winning ways and not a moment too soon! In a must-win game under pressure, Orlando City SC came from behind to defeat Toronto FC 1-2 at BMO Field yesterday evening. Just as City supporters were getting that sinking feeling again following Derrick Etienne Jr.’s early fifth minute opener, the Lions bounced back with a Martín Ojeda equaliser and a Nicksoen Gomis own goal.
This result, coupled with Atlanta United’s 2-1 loss to New England Revolution last night means that Orlando City SC have now climbed level on points (21) with both Toronto FC and The Five Stripes. With TFC having played one more game (22) than City and Atlanta, the Lions are currently placed tenth in the Eastern Conference, just outside the MLS Wild Card match qualification slots by goal difference. Fortunately, we still have 13 regular season games remaining to right the ship, climb the standings, and seal an automatic qualification spot for the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs.
Now hosting D.C. United after two quick-fire road games, City urgently need to improve their home form and turn Inter&Co Stadium back into a fortress as we head down the stretch. If we play to our potential, we should be able to defeat D.C. too. After all, Troy Lesesne’s side are currently bottom of the Eastern Conference (20 points) after suffering a nine-game winless streak, losing six times in this poor run. D.C.’s most recent defeat came last night at Audi Field where they lost 2-3 to FC Cincinnati. Both Christian Benteke and Troy Lesesne were absent due to one-game suspensions too.
Saturday’s game against D.C. will also see Orlando City SC honour Brazilian icon and the team’s first captain, Kaká, as the first-ever Legends’ Terrace inductee. As part of the Lions’ 10th season in Major League Soccer, the 2002 FIFA World Cup winner and 2007 Ballon d’Or winner will be celebrated at Legends Night: Kaká, a theme night where Kaká will be inducted in front of City supporters in a post-game ceremony.
Last time out
Last night, Orlando City SC battled back from an early goal to defeat Toronto FC 1-2 at BMO Field.
Oscar Pareja made three changes to his starting lineup, reintroducing Pedro Gallese and Wilder Cartagena following their 2024 Copa América elimination with Peru, while Kyle Smith started at left back.
Sticking with our familiar 4-2-3-1 shape for a second consecutive game, it’s been refreshing to see us revert to the formation that brought us so much success last season.
After experimenting with various formations and personnel this season, perhaps we’ll now stick with the 4-2-3-1 down the stretch?
We’ll have to wait and see.
With Mason Stajduhar, Nicolás Lodeiro, and Rafael Santos all making way, Santos’ demotion was interesting but justified, given his poor 2024 so far, which has been surprising considering how strong his debut MLS campaign was last year.
In many ways, City have been fortunate that Peru were knocked out of the Copa América early, allowing Pedro Gallese to return, especially since Javier Otero was also absent from last night’s matchday squad.
After recently making his MLS debut at New York City FC in the wake of Stajduhar’s awful leg injury, Otero was absent from the TFC game due to his immigration status.
Austin David tweeted yesterday that Javier Otero is not currently eligible to leave the country, including this week’s instance of departing the United States for Canada.
With the Lions having already faced CF Montréal and Toronto FC north of the border, Otero now has ample time to get this issue fixed.
In Otero’s place, Orlando City B goalkeeper Carlos Mercado was signed to a short-term MLS agreement and named in Orlando City SC’s matchday squad for the very first time.
Reflecting on the Toronto FC game itself, Orlando City SC were on the back foot as early as the fifth minute.
Federico Bernardeschi swung a deep left-footed cross into the Lions’ box, finding fellow Italian Raoul Petretta at the back post.
Petretta beat a backpedaling Dagur Dan Thórhallsson to a header, nodding the ball across City’s penalty area to an unmarked Derrick Etienne Jr.
The Haiti international then slammed home the game’s opening goal from point-blank range (1-0).
With Orlando City SC players standing shell-shocked and bemused, it was the worst possible start.
City have now conceded 10 goals within the first 15 minutes of matches this MLS season, and a total of 19 goals in the first-half.
This lack of concentration has plagued us all season long and it’s a bad habit we simply have to break.
Needing a quick reaction, Orlando City SC fortunately managed to turn things in their favour from this moment forth.
Martín Ojeda earned his second successive start in the number 10 position for Orlando City SC at BMO Field – a role he hasn’t always been deployed in.
City supporters have long lobbied for Ojeda to consistently play in his best position rather than being shifted between the wing and a super-sub role.
Last night, Evan Weston tweeted: “Not sure that isn’t the best half I’ve seen Martín Ojeda play in an Orlando shirt. Totally controlling the game playing as a pure No. 10. Awesome stuff.”
Martín Ojeda capped his strong performance by scoring the game’s equalising goal on 27 minutes.
César Araújo quickly broke lines with a precise forward pass to Facundo Torres in space.
Facu then spotted Iván Angulo sprinting down the left wing at full speed.
Executed brilliantly, El Cuervo’s reverse left-footed pass split both Federico Bernardeschi and Deybi Flores.
This sequence unlocked the entire game as Angulo surged to the byline and sent in a cross that Martín Ojeda headed home unmarked from close range (1-1).
From here, both sides had their chances.
Robin Jansson couldn’t quite convert off a City corner on 34 minutes, and Lorenzo Insigne came inches away from bending a long-range golazo past Pedro Gallese just five minutes later.
However, it was Orlando City SC who grabbed the go-ahead goal through fortuitous circumstances just before first-half stoppage time.
On the halfway line, Facundo Torres found Martín Ojeda infield, who then returned the favour by setting up Facu who was sprinting down the right wing.
Inside the Toronto FC box, Torres deftly manoeuvred past Deybi Flores, shifting the ball from his left to his right foot before delivering a wicked right-footed cross into The Reds’ penalty area.
Facundo Torres’ cross deflected off Nicksoen Gomis’ left boot and sailed past the helpless Sean Johnson, giving Orlando City SC the stroke of luck we desperately needed (1-2).
And no, your eyes didn’t deceive you!
Facu did indeed use his right foot to inadvertently assist this own goal – a rare collector’s item considering just how left-footed he is.
Heading into half-time with a 1-2 lead, the question remained how Orlando City SC would manage their advantage in the second-half.
But the Lions passed their test.
Managing our 1-2 lead well, we limited John Herdman’s Toronto FC to few opportunities as night fell over BMO Field.
However, on 92 minutes, City supporters’ hearts were in their mouths when Shane O’Neill spotted Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty unmarked at Pedro Gallese’s far post.
Marshall-Rutty nodded the ball back to Kosi Thompson who shaved Orlando City SC’s crossbar from the top of the box.
A big let-off for the Lions, Orlando City SC had two more opportunities to run up the score as they took advantage of the space afforded by Toronto FC chasing the game.
Frustratingly however, Luis Muriel squandered both of these glorious chances within seven minutes of second-half stoppage time.
On 93 minutes, Muriel raced clear through on Sean Johnson’s goal after a beautiful incisive assist from Nicolás Lodeiro.
Despite breaking away from Aimé Mabika and setting himself, Muriel agonisingly dragged his shot wide of Johnson’s right-hand post.
At this stage in the game, another goal would’ve spared the Lions any last-minute anguish, and Oscar Pareja looked visibly frustrated with the miss on the touchline.
Then, on 96 minutes, Lodeiro found Luis Muriel again, but the Colombian bent his right-footed shot past Johnson’s left-hand post.
Although the second chance was more difficult than the first, Muriel should still feel disappointed because he got his angles wrong on both occasions.
With the full-time whistle blown shortly after this play, the 1-2 result ensured that Orlando City SC are now unbeaten in five games at BMO Field.
The Ontario venue is now a happy hunting ground for the Lions having been the complete opposite during our early years in Major League Soccer.
In his post-match press conference, Oscar Pareja dedicated the 2-1 road win to Mason Stajduhar who has undergone surgery after his recent leg break.
And before the match at BMO Field, Orlando City SC players posed for a photo holding a purple jersey with the words “We are all with you, Mason. Get well soon!”
Last head-to-head
The last time that Orlando City SC faced D.C. United in MLS, Audi Field was the setting for a super dramatic April 13 encounter.
In a stunning turn of events, Orlando City SC clinched a 2-3 victory at D.C. United with substitute Duncan McGuire netting his third goal of the season in the opening minute of second-half stoppage time.
McGuire’s goal followed David Brekalo’s 82nd minute equaliser from a corner kick, which levelled the score for the Lions for the second time in the match.
Earlier in the first-half, Dagur Dan Thórhallsson also found the net to equalise for Orlando City SC, marking our first away win of the season after two previous defeats where we were painfully outscored 7-0.
Christian Benteke, with his sixth MLS goal of the season, and Gabriel Pirani, scoring his first, gave D.C. United a temporary lead, but they failed to secure a win despite holding the lead for four times in five matches.
Despite an early mistake by Pedro Gallese leading to Benteke’s opener, El Pulpo made crucial saves late in the game, including two that helped preserve City’s victory.
The decisive moment came when McGuire capitalised on Nicolás Lodeiro’s precise pass over the top, catching D.C.’s defence off-guard and staying ice cool one-on-one to secure the dramatic win for the Lions.
What’s at stake this time?
After the midweek Major League Soccer action, Orlando City SC sit tenth in the Eastern Conference with 24 points from 21 games played.
Due to how yesterday’s results played out, we climbed from eleventh to tenth in one evening.
Right now, the Lions only trail ninth-placed Atlanta United by goal difference and seventh-placed Nashville SC by two points.
While Toronto FC are currently two places above Orlando City SC in the Eastern Conference standings, they are level on points (24) with the Lions having played one game more (22).
Having reeled in both TFC and Atlanta United in just one night, we now need to apply even more pressure on the teams directly above us.
Our 1-2 victory last night extended Toronto FC’s winless streak to eight MLS games, while D.C. United are winless in their last nine MLS games.
Having just defeated one struggling opponent, we must do the same against a similarly out-of-form D.C. United who now sit rock bottom of the East.
Painfully, we haven’t achieved back-to-back victories all season long.
But this Saturday’s game is our best opportunity to do so while simultaneously putting some distance between ourselves and D.C..
If we’re serious about climbing the East, nothing less than three points will suffice.
With 13 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 6-6-9 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.
Having shown strength in the face of adversity, especially after Derrick Etienne Jr.’s early goal last night, Orlando City SC now need to display even more mental toughness as we edge towards the business end of the season.
Yesterday’s 1-2 win was also the first time since May 12 that City have won an MLS game after conceding the opening goal. It also marked the Lions’ third win of the MLS season when leading at half-time.
Opposition danger men
When it comes to D.C. United danger men, experienced striker Christian Benteke is the Black and Red’s best player.
Due to one-game suspensions for yellow card accumulation, both Benteke and head coach Troy Lesesne watched D.C.’s 2-3 home loss to FC Cincinnati from the stands last night.
However, Benteke and Lesesne will both return for Saturday’s trip to Orlando City SC.
Benteke has 14 goals and two assists for D.C. this season and is currently joint-second behind Chicho Arango (16) in the 2024 MLS Golden Boot race.
Renowned for his physicality, aerial ability, and hold-up play, 6 ft 3 in Benteke has a knack for being in the right place at the right time, scoring with both his head and his feet.
Leading by example in Troy Lesesne debut season as D.C. head coach, Benteke has been in red hot form since day one of 2024.
After all, the former Belgium international bagged a hat-trick in D.C.’s 3-1 home opener win over New England Revolution.
Elsewhere, Jared Stroud is enjoying an impressive debut season with D.C. United having tallied two goals and eight assists in MLS.
D.C.’s first choice right winger under Troy Lesesne, Stroud has developed a telepathic relationship with Christian Benteke this season, linking up multiple times to devastating effect.
Cutting off Jared Stroud’s supply line to Benteke will be key if Orlando City SC are to achieve a positive result.
Last but not least, Theodore Ku-DiPietro is lesser known but still another dangerous threat in D.C. United’s ranks.
Earning international recognition with the USMNT U-23 team in 2023, Ku-DiPietro is a 22-year-old left or right winger who loves to dribble and cut inside opposition full backs.
Very direct in his playing style, “Ted” grabbed his first MLS goal of 2024 in D.C. United’s 2-2 draw at St. Louis CITY SC back on March 23.
New opposition faces
Today, D.C. United signed free agent forward Dominique Badji pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC).
No stranger to MLS having previously represented Colorado Rapids, FC Dallas, Nashville SC, and FC Cincinnati, the 31-year-old most recently played for Bandırmaspor in the Turkish second division.
However, Badji will miss this game as he needs to wait for the MLS Secondary Transfer Window to open on July 18 before being officially registered on D.C.’s 2024 roster.
This situation also applies to Luca Petrasso who recently returned to Orlando City SC following his loan spell with Triestina in Italy.
Injuries, international returnees, 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.
With Peru now eliminated from the 2024 Copa América and Slovenia now eliminated from UEFA Euro 2024, Pedro Gallese, Wilder Cartagena and David Brekalo are now available to complete the rest of our 2024 campaign.
While Brekalo couldn’t return in time for our Toronto FC trip, he should be in contention for this home game against D.C. United.
As for Duncan McGuire, the USMNT U-23 team’s first game at the 2024 Summer Olympics is against hosts France on July 24.
Therefore, Big Dunc will be available for this game and possibly our New England Revolution (July 13) and Nashville SC (July 17) road trips too.
Elsewhere, Ramiro Enrique made his long-awaited return to first team action against TFC last night, replacing Facundo Torres and playing 17 minutes from the substitutes’ bench.
Having now resolved his green card issues, Enrique is hungry to kick-start his season after missing four City fixtures in June.
As for D.C. United, Conner Antley (knee), Steve Birnbaum (hip), Russell Canouse (not due to injury), Kristian Fletcher (ankle), and Jackson Hopkins (back) are all definitely out for Troy Lesesne’s side.
The Black and Red have no players absent due to international duty, however.
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Orlando City SC vs D.C. United
Last 3 head-to-heads
- March 11, 2023: D.C. United 1 Orlando City SC 1 (MLS)
- April 22, 2023: Orlando City SC 1 D.C. United 3 (MLS)
- April 13, 2024: D.C. United 2 Orlando City SC 3 (MLS)
2015/24 head-to-head stats
- It was 2-3 to Orlando the last time the sides met (April 2024)
- Played D.C. 18 times in MLS – Orlando 7, Draws 2, D.C. 9
- Duncan McGuire has scored in each of the last 3 MLS head-to-heads (3 goals)
- Both sides have scored in Orlando’s last 5 MLS fixtures
- D.C. have only won 1 away game so far this MLS season (1-5-4)
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Watching the game
Orlando City SC vs D.C. United will be shown live on Apple TV at 00:30 (GMT) on Sunday, July 7.
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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