Could the tide finally be turning? Maybe, just maybe after Orlando City SC emphatically thrashed D.C. United 5-0 at Inter&Co Stadium last Saturday. Just our seventh MLS victory of 2024, it was crucially the first time we’ve achieved back-to-back wins all season.
Completing a 2024 sweep over D.C. United, Orlando City SC ruthlessly punished Troy Lesesne’s poor side and climbed three places into seventh in the East – the coveted final automatic qualification spot for the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs.
Form and consistency is what will earn us a place in the post-season and having now achieved crucial must-win victories over Toronto FC and D.C. United, the Lions must now continue in this vein to put some distance between ourselves and the chasing pack in a tight and congested Eastern Conference.
As for Saturday’s opponents New England Revolution, Orlando City SC have NEVER won in eight MLS visits to Gillette Stadium and its artificial turf! However, Caleb Porter’s side come into this game scarred by a 2-0 long-haul defeat at Seattle Sounders last weekend. With Jordan Morris and Albert Rusnák grabbing the goals at Lumen Field, this was only the second defeat Revs have suffered in seven having won four straight MLS games in June. Right now, Revs are twelfth in the East, five points adrift of Orlando City SC.
Last time out
With club legend Kaká present last Saturday, Orlando City SC found inspiration and secured their most emphatic win of the season.
Triumphing 5-0 over the Eastern Conference’s bottom-ranked team, D.C. United, this is the first time we’ve achieved back-to-back MLS victories all season long.
In the first-half, Martín Ojeda, Robin Jansson, and Iván Angulo all found the back of the net, leading Orlando City SC to a third victory in four matches with a dominant performance over the Black and Red.
Facundo Torres and Ramiro Enrique added to the tally in the second-half, helping Orlando City SC to reach their highest margin of victory all year.
Facu’s goal was significant too because it moved him one goal ahead (29) of Nani (28) for the second-most regular season goals in club history.
As for Enrique, his 85th minute header was his first MLS goal of the season and came courtesy of a Nicolás Lodeiro corner that was flicked on by Alex Freeman – Freeman’s first-ever MLS assist!
Considering that three of City’s substitutes combined for this goal, this capped off a dominant performance in super satisfying style.
On the night, Pedro Gallese earned a rare clean sheet too, making only one save during the match against a poor and understrength D.C. side who only named six substitutes.
A result that extended D.C. United’s winless streak to 10 MLS games, their goalkeeper Tyler Miller managed five saves during the match.
In yet another boost, referee Lukasz Szpala issued a red card to defender Lucas Bartlett, reducing D.C. United to 10 men during first-half stoppage time.
Inches away from conceding a penalty, Bartlett mistimed his sliding challenge and brought down the fleet-footed Iván Angulo just outside the box.
But reflecting on the game’s opening goal, Martín Ojeda scored from the centre of the box on 19 minutes.
The Argentine was assisted by the dependable Dagur Dan Thórhallsson who manoeuvred cleverly on the byline before passing back to Ojeda for his third goal of the season and second in two games.
In hindsight, it was incredibly impressive how Thórhallsson used his upper body strength to stay balanced despite being shoved by Christopher McVey.
Robin Jansson then doubled the lead with a powerful header on 23 minutes.
Racing away in pure delight, this was The Viking’s first goal since 2022 after being assisted by Wilder Cartagena’s pin-point cross.
Looking back to his determined best after a below-par 2024, Robin Jansson made an incredible goal-line clearance on 33 minutes, acrobatically intercepting a dangerous ball that Martín Rodríguez launched into the box.
Then, on 42 minutes, Iván Angulo scored his third goal of the season to turn Inter&Co Stadium smiles into full-blown grins!
Managing only three shots in the first-half, D.C. United were poor, and just like we did against Toronto FC a game prior, we punished them when it mattered.
Orlando City SC’s leading goalscorer Duncan McGuire provided his second assist of the season in the second-half.
And last but not least, with his goal and assist against D.C. United, Facundo Torres moved ahead (11) of Kaká (10) for the most games with multiple goals contributions in Orlando City SC history.
Last head-to-head
The last time that Orlando City SC faced New England Revolution in MLS, the Lions enjoyed a night to remember back in October 2023.
Defeating Revs 3-2 in our final home game of the 2023 MLS regular season, the result sealed a TOP TWO seed for the 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs, subsequent home field advantage in the post-season, and 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup qualification too.
It was also our first MLS victory over New England Revolution since September 2017, breaking a remarkable winless streak of 11 games.
Talk about a bogey opponent!
After an even start to the first-half, Tomás Chancalay struck Pedro Gallese’s crossbar on 25 minutes – a warning shot that seemed to spark the Lions into life.
Just six minutes later, Mauricio Pereyra grabbed the ball, got his head up, and expertly floated a ball out wide to Dagur Dan Thórhallsson who was sprinting down the right wing.
Having made right back his own, the Icelander set himself well before sending a deadly accurate cross into Duncan McGuire who flashed a powerful header past former Lion Earl Edwards Jr. in the Revs goal (1-0) – Big Dunc’s second goal against Revs last season.
McGuire’s eleventh MLS goal of a simply incredible rookie campaign, Orlando City SC doubled their lead just seven minutes later.
A constant danger down the left wing, Rafael Santos found Iván Angulo who stood up a cross to the centre of Revs’ penalty area.
On hand was Facundo Torres who impressively swivelled to volley Angulo’s cross first-time to make it a two-goal lead (2-0).
El Cuervo’s sixth goal in 10 MLS appearances for Orlando City SC – and his fourteenth MLS goal of 2023 – our Designated Player has been a shadow of his former self this year.
They say you’re most vulnerable after you’ve just scored and on 42 minutes, New England Revolution grabbed one back.
With goalscoring nemesis Carles Gil striding through City’s midfield, the Spaniard took on an opportunistic strike from range.
A powerful shot that slightly changed direction in the air, it deceived Pedro Gallese who let Carles Gil’s strike slip through his fingertips (2-1).
A then rare error from El Pulpo, it was Carles Gil’s fifth career goal against City – a man who always seems to score against the Lions.
Just when Revs were getting a foothold in the game, up stepped a free-scoring Orlando City SC side yet again!
In virtually the final play of the first-half, an incredibly incisive through ball from El Maestro – Mauricio Pereyra – found the dangerous Rafael Santos down the left wing.
Expertly cutting the ball back to Iván Angulo who jaunted into the Revs’ penalty area unmarked, the Colombian’s strike took a slight deflection off of Matt Polster and deceived Earl Edwards Jr. to make it 3-1 right before the half-time whistle.
In the second-half, key starters Duncan McGuire, Mauricio Pereyra, and Facundo Torres were all withdrawn by Oscar Pareja on 66 minutes.
With Papi managing their minutes ahead of the 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs, Ramiro Enrique, Martín Ojeda, and Júnior Urso replaced the trio and all got 20+ minutes to stake their claim.
Managing our lead well for most of the second-half – just as we did at Nashville SC a game prior – Orlando City SC were far more defensively resilient last season.
That said, the 93rd minute saw Carles Gil score again via a Robin Jansson deflection to make it a one-goal game (3-2) but fortunately, time wasn’t on the Spaniard nor the Revs’ side.
With referee Allen Chapman’s full-time whistle sounding right after this play, Carles Gil’s sixth career goal against City was nothing more than a consolation strike.
The full-time scoreline (3-2) was flattering to Revs, as Orlando City SC were the more convincing side throughout the game.
City dominated possession (54% to 46%) and had more shot attempts (22 to 15).
But in the end, the Lions simply rejoiced in securing our highest Eastern Conference and Supporters’ Shield finish to date.
What’s at stake this time?
Reassuringly, Orlando City SC have now scored two or more goals in five straight matches.
A good time to switch gears, it appears we’ve finally ignited our offence as we head down the stretch.
Due to how last Saturday’s results played out, we climbed from tenth to seventh in just one evening, catapulting ourselves into an automatic qualification spot for the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs.
Right now, the Lions are just one point ahead of eighth-placed Nashville SC and two points ahead of both Toronto FC (ninth place) and Atlanta United (tenth place).
Interestingly, Toronto FC have played one game more (23) than Orlando City SC (22).
Because things are so tight and congested in the Eastern Conference standings, Orlando City SC have much more work to do in our 12 regular season fixtures that remain.
But now that we have demonstrated fight and bottle to beat both Toronto FC and D.C. United, we can hopefully look forward to an improved run of form heading down the stretch.
Responding excellently to the adversity of Mason Stajduhar’s awful leg break at New York City FC, this unfortunate incident may have just lit a spark in Orlando City SC to right the ship and battle harder for both Mason and our season.
Recent signs are encouraging but we now need to apply even more pressure to reel in sixth-placed Charlotte FC who are currently five points ahead of us in the East.
Opposition danger men
Orlando City SC have been handed multiple boosts heading into this game against New England Revolution.
Especially since the Revs’ best player Carles Gil is currently sidelined with a lower leg injury.
A menace to all Major League Soccer defences, the Spanish attacking midfielder has particularly enjoyed facing Orlando City SC having scored six career goals against the Lions to date.
Now 31-years-old, club captain Carles Gil has still been New England Revolution’s talisman with five goals and six assists this MLS season, so his absence definitely helps the Lions.
The darling of Gillette Stadium having joined the Foxborough side back in January 2019, Carles Gil now has a hugely impressive 37 MLS goals and 69 MLS assists overall.
Elsewhere, New England Revolution’s other top talent Tomás Chancalay is out for the rest of 2024 after suffering a partial tear in his right ACL.
Enjoying a hugely successful loan spell at Revs last season, Argentine winger Chancalay scored six MLS goals last year.
Making his move to Massachusetts permanent in November 2023, Chancalay hasn’t been as prolific this MLS season (two goals, one assist) but still offers a ton of quality.
With Carles Gil and Tómas Chancalay both missing, you’re likely to see Esmir Bajraktarević and possibly fellow Homegrown Player Noel Buck (questionable) start at Gillette Stadium.
And both teens have been tipped for a bright future in the game too.
Holding one USMNT friendly cap but still eligible to represent Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bajraktarević has made Revs’ starting eleven several times under Caleb Porter this season.
On the other hand, Massachusetts-born Buck is currently an England U-20 international.
Last but not least, Giacomo Vrioni leads the line for Caleb Porter’s Revs.
Although the Albanian international striker has largely failed to meet expectations since he swapped Juventus for Foxborough in July 2022, he has recently shown signs of life.
Scoring in three of Revs’ last five MLS fixtures (5 goals), the 25-year-old Italian-born striker is another one to watch.
New opposition faces
Since the clubs’ last meeting in MLS, New England Revolution have a new head coach in the dugout at Gillette Stadium.
In December 2023, the Revs announced Caleb Porter as the club’s new manager, following the interim tenures of Richie Williams and Clint Peay, who led the team after Bruce Arena’s resignation in September.
Despite winning MLS Cup twice, with Portland Timbers in 2015 and Columbus Crew in 2020, Porter endured a nightmare start to 2024.
Winning just two of his first thirteen MLS games in charge of Revs, a poor 2-1-10 record previously left the Foxborough side rock bottom of the Eastern Conference.
Also humiliated 9-2 on aggregate by Club América in the quarter-final stage of the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup, June marked a turning point for Porter and his Revs side.
Entering MLS Gameweek 18 having earned three consecutive MLS victories over Nashville SC (1-2), New York Red Bulls (1-0), and Vancouver Whitecaps (3-2), this upward trajectory from Revs pushed Orlando City SC worryingly close to the foot of the Eastern Conference.
After this, Revs impressively earned a fourth consecutive victory over current Eastern Conference leaders FC Cincinnati (1-2) back on June 22.
Player-wise, the off-season and spring saw New England Revolution welcome eight new faces to their first team.
Besides the permanent signing of Tomás Chancalay, Revs also signed Nick Lima, Jonathan Mensah, Henrich Ravas, Xavier Arreaga, and Aljaž Ivačič as well as teenage Homegrown Players Malcolm Fry and Peyton Miller.
With Ivačič and Ravas having both ousted former Lion Earl Edwards Jr. from the starting eleven, Slovenian Ivačič is the club’s current number one.
And it seems like Aljaž Ivačič will remain first choice with Henrich Ravas all set to join KS Cracovia in Poland.
Revs supporters will agree that losing Matt Turner and Đorđe Petrović to the Premier League and finding suitable replacements was always going to be a big challenge.
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.
Elsewhere, David Brekalo is now available to complete the rest of our 2024 campaign after representing Slovenia at UEFA Euro 2024.
Replacing Robin Jansson and playing 19 minutes from the substitutes’ bench against D.C. United, Brekalo will now battle Rodrigo Schlegel for a starting berth at New England Revolution.
Orlando City SC will also be missing just one player due to mid-season international call-ups.
| PLAYER | NATIONAL TEAM | REASON |
| Duncan McGuire | USMNT U-23 | 2024 Summer Olympics |
Officially named in the USMNT U-23 squad for the 2024 Summer Olympics, Duncan McGuire’s first tournament game is against hosts France on July 24.
City supporters initially assumed that Big Dunc would be available for this trip to Revs and possibly our visit to Nashville SC (July 17) too.
But yesterday, the @USYNT Twitter account tweeted this “Bonjour from Bordeaux” post, confirming that McGuire is already in Europe preparing for Paris 2024.
Therefore, Duncan McGuire won’t be available for City until the USMNT U-23 squad’s Olympic run is over.
Whether McGuire has already made his final appearance for Orlando City SC remains to be seen.
With McGuire having recently “rejected the last contract proposal from Orlando City”, a good showing at the 2024 Summer Olympics could see him staying in Europe.
After all, reports indicate that Blackburn Rovers, Legia Warsaw, and Torino are interested in signing Duncan McGuire this summer.
As for New England Revolution, Dylan Borrero (hip), Tomás Chancalay (knee), Carles Gil (lower leg), Nacho Gil (knee), Nick Lima (groin), and Peyton Miller (thigh) are all definitely out for Caleb Porter’s side.
Elsewhere, Emmanuel Boateng (hamstring), Noel Buck (quad), Mark-Anthony Kaye (hip), and Tommy McNamara (hamstring) are questionable.
Revs have no players absent due to international duty, however.
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New England Revolution vs Orlando City SC
Last 3 head-to-heads
- August 6, 2022: Orlando City SC 0 New England Revolution 3 (MLS)
- June 17, 2023: New England Revolution 3 Orlando City SC 1 (MLS)
- October 7, 2023: Orlando City SC 3 New England Revolution 2 (MLS)
2015/23 head-to-head stats
- It was 3-2 to Orlando the last time the sides met (October 2023)
- Played Revs 18 times in MLS – Revs 8, Draws 7, Orlando 3
- Revs are unbeaten in 10 of the last 11 MLS head-to-heads – winning 6 of them
- Revs have only drawn ONE game so far this MLS season (7-1-12)
- Orlando have NEVER won in 8 MLS visits to Gillette Stadium (0-2-6)
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Watching the game
New England Revolution vs Orlando City SC will be shown live on Apple TV at 00:30 (GMT) on Sunday, July 14.
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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