Our Gillette Stadium curse is over! Failing to win any of our previous eight MLS games in Foxborough, Orlando City SC have now finally defeated New England Revolution away after securing a 1-3 comeback victory on Saturday night. Our fourth win in five MLS games and the first time we’ve achieved three consecutive victories since September / October 2023, the Lions appear to be coming good when it matters!
After a lacklustre first-half performance at Revs, whatever Oscar Pareja said at half-time had the desired effect! With Orlando City SC coming out re-energised, refocused, and determined to leave Massachusetts with all three points, we laughed in the face of the artificial turf and hit back three times after entering the break 1-0 down.
Staying on the road, City now visit Tennessee for a Wednesday night showdown with Nashville SC at GEODIS Park. The clubs’ first MLS meeting since the Lions dumped Nashville SC out of the 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs, the Music City side will be out for revenge. That said, Nashville SC are on the slide having lost their last four consecutive MLS fixtures, including a 2-1 defeat at D.C. United on Saturday night.
As for Orlando City SC, we’re not only craving a fourth straight victory. We’re now looking for as much momentum as possible as we look to reel in sixth-placed Charlotte FC while solidifying our place in the automatic qualification spots for the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs.
Last time out
On Saturday, an impressive second-half performance saw Orlando City SC overturn a 1-0 half-time deficit to win 1-3 at New England Revolution.
Our first-ever MLS victory in Foxborough (1-2-6), Oscar Pareja made just one change to his starting lineup.
Handing Ramiro Enrique – not Luis Muriel – the start up top, this was in place of Duncan McGuire who is currently away with the USMNT U-23 side preparing for the 2024 Summer Olympics.
In fact, McGuire scored in the U.S. Olympic team’s 1-0 pre-tournament friendly victory over Paraguay that same evening.
As for the game itself, Orlando City SC’s first-half performance really lacked energy, urgency, and tempo.
This was super disappointing, especially after finally sneaking above the red line following our 5-0 victory over D.C. United.
Not taking proper care of our passing or shooting, we struggled to get a genuine foothold on Gillette Stadium’s artificial turf.
And on 23 minutes, it was New England Revolution who seized the advantage.
When Esmir Bajraktarević stood up a cross to Orlando City SC’s back post, it reached DeJuan Jones who dangerously laid the ball back across City’s box from the byline.
Tapped home from point-blank range by the in-form Giacomo Vrioni, it was the Albanian’s sixth goal in six MLS games (1-0).
After a lethargic 40 minutes or so, Orlando City SC finally started to make some attacking inroads late in the first-half.
Leading by example, Iván Angulo shimmied past Ian Harkes and laid a dangerous cross into the Revs’ box on 42 minutes.
Dagur Dan Thórhallsson connected with it one-time but unfortunately, his low shot was fired straight into Aljaž Ivačič’s palms.
Then, on 44 minutes, it was that man Iván Angulo causing havoc down the left wing yet again.
Fearlessly striding past Brandon Bye and Dave Romney, the Colombian delivered another dangerous cross into the box, but Revs managed to head the ball away from danger.
Despite Orlando City SC outshooting Revs 2-7 by half-time, City only managed to fashion low-quality chances with just two struck on target.
Indeed, on 33 minutes, Ramiro Enrique fired a disappointing tame shot at Aljaž Ivačič following a dangerous-looking breakaway.
Needing a reaction early in the second-half, this fortunately came our way on 52 minutes.
Given his deep forays into Revs territory late in the first-half, it felt like a goal was bound to come through Iván Angulo.
It proved so when the Colombian executed a neat one-two with Ramiro Enrique in the Revs’ box.
With the ball fortuitously bouncing into the path of Facundo Torres, he was exactly the man you wanted the ball to reach.
Striking a left footed shot from the centre of the Revs’ box, the ball nestled into Aljaž Ivačič’s bottom left corner to level the game (1-1).
Whatever Oscar Pareja said at half-time clearly had the desired effect.
With the wind in Orlando City SC’s sails, we turned the entire game on its head just seven minutes later!
When Martín Ojeda sent a deep corner to New England Revolution’s back post, it was César Araújo who headed the ball back across the Revs’ box.
Flicked home by Ramiro Enrique, the Argentine capped his start with the go-ahead goal (1-2) – Orlando City SC’s sixth set-piece goal of the MLS season.
It was a real poacher’s effort!
Making the most of his start in Duncan McGuire’s absence, Enrique was subbed off by Oscar Pareja on 69 minutes, as was Martín Ojeda.
With Nicolás Lodeiro and Luis Muriel replacing the pair, the Lions certainly weren’t lacking in quality reinforcements from the bench.
Looking back, 1-2 could’ve become 1-3 on 62 minutes when César Araújo’s left footed shot sailed just over Aljaž Ivačič’s bar off another Martín Ojeda corner.
Then, just two minutes later, Jack Panayotou almost tied the game with a left footed shot that was fired just inches wide of Pedro Gallese’s right hand post.
However, Orlando City SC did grab a third on 81 minutes to cap a truly fantastic second-half performance.
It all started when Nicolás Lodeiro bravely stole in to win a 50-50 challenge with Mark-Anthony Kaye midway into the Revs’ half.
With the ball falling to Luis Muriel, he then faced up Dave Romney and DeJuan Jones before unselfishly laying the ball wide to Facundo Torres who was menacingly bearing down on goal.
Beautifully curling the ball one-time inside Ivačič’s far post, it was a superb finish from Facu who is finally finding form after his slow and sluggish start to 2024 (1-3).
With Orlando City SC managing the second-half excellently, an understrength New England Revolution seemed shellshocked and powerless to halt the tide.
On the night, Facu’s brace won him “Star of the Match” honours but Iván Angulo deserves a special mention for his relentless endeavours all night long.
After Oscar Pareja subbed Angulo off for David Brekalo on 84 minutes, City reverted to a back three to lock our two-goal lead down.
Easily navigating six minutes of second-half stoppage time, it was yet another important victory.
With no love lost between Oscar Pareja and Caleb Porter in years gone by, this comeback victory would’ve been particularly satisfying for Papi, even if he didn’t show it publicly.
And as for Facundo Torres’ brace, the Uruguayan’s two goals saw him tie Cyle Larin and Mauricio Pereyra (49) for the second-most goal contributions in City’s MLS regular season history.
Last head-to-head
The last time that Orlando City SC faced Nashville SC in MLS, it was an autumn night to remember away in Tennessee!
Back on November 7, 2023, we successfully punched our ticket to the Eastern Conference Semi-Final stage of the 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs thanks to a 0-1 win at GEODIS Park.
After City won game one (1-0) in the newly revamped Round One Best-of-3 series, they knew that a game two victory would set up a mouthwatering Eastern Conference Semi-Final at Inter&Co Stadium as second seed.
Achieving a third consecutive 0-1 / 1-0 victory over Gary Smith’s side in little over one month, Orlando City SC impressively kept Nashville SC and the talented Hany Mukhtar off the scoresheet yet again.
Considering Iván Angulo opened the scoring as early as the sixth minute, Oscar Pareja’s side did incredibly well to hold onto this lead for so long, defending admirably and limiting the Tennessee side to low percentage chances throughout the game.
The Lions’ 0-1 win at Nashville SC was also significant because it was Orlando City SC’s first ever away win in the MLS Cup Playoffs and City’s sixth MLS win in a row, tying the club’s all-time longest winning streak from 2018 under Jason Kreis.
Remember that false dawn?
Reliving the November 7 action though, Iván Angulo’s sixth minute opener was the result of some uncharacteristically sloppy Nashville SC defending.
Since entering MLS in 2020, Nashville SC have deservedly earned league-wide plaudits for having a super stingy, stubborn, and resilient backline.
However, there was nothing disciplined about the way in which Dax McCarty sold Walker Zimmerman short with an underhit back pass into his own Nashville SC box!
A play capitalised upon by Iván Angulo, our jet-heeled Colombian nipped in between the play, pinched the ball, and kept his balance before striking a right footed shot that deflected off of Lukas MacNaughton and looped beyond the helpless Joe Willis.
In a huge game like this, with so much on the line, scoring the first goal was always going to be key, especially considering Nashville SC had only won 2 of their 14 MLS fixtures prior.
Indeed, Angulo’s early goal left the GEODIS Park crowd shell-shocked with the Nashville SC players only growing more nervous with a mountain to climb mentally, if not score-wise.
With caps of travelling Orlando City SC supporters celebrating high up inside the largest soccer-specific stadium in the United States, there was plenty more work to do to ensure our safe passage through to the Eastern Conference Semi-Final stage.
On 24 minutes, tempers flared as Aníbal Godoy nipped at César Araújo’s heels off of a City throw with our number five grabbing his left leg down on the turf.
A play that earned the Panamanian a deserved yellow card, Orlando City SC players, led by none other than Rodrigo Schlegel, leapt in front of Godoy in disgust with games between these sides always chippy, ill-tempered, and seemingly played on the edge.
After Angulo’s opener, Orlando City SC played bunker and counter, a familiar tactic that Oscar Pareja perfected last season with chances always likely to come our way with Nashville SC needing to push for an equaliser.
Indeed, on 37 minutes, Mauricio Pereyra sent a delicious pass upfield to Duncan McGuire in a dangerous Orlando City SC breakaway.
McGuire then spotted Facundo Torres who broke into the Nashville SC box, cutting the ball back to his favoured left foot before patiently spotting Iván Angulo.
Unfortunately, the Colombian was denied his second goal of the night by Joe Willis who comfortably collected his tame strike.
Only a minute later, it was Nashville SC on the attack.
Slightly unsighted, Pedro Gallese spilled a Daniel Lovitz volley from range, a shot that fell loose to Hany Mukhtar who thought he’d equalised, only for the play to be correctly and undeniably flagged offside.
Navigating nine minutes of first-half stoppage time, Orlando City SC were feeling good at half-time but knew the game was far from over.
On 54 minutes, City’s secret weapon and game one hero Wilder Cartagena nearly made it two goals in two playoff games with a surprise dipping volley unleashed just inside Nashville SC’s penalty area.
Considering Duncan McGuire beautifully assisted Cartagena with a deft flick, it would’ve been another outstanding play and a stunning Cartagena strike.
As Orlando City SC conspired to grab a killer second goal, one that would completely demoralise Nashville SC, this almost came our way on 79 minutes.
Going on a mazy run forward, substitute Júnior Urso slalomed his way between the entire Nashville SC defence before Sean Davis did just enough to intercept The Bear’s strike that was deflected just over Joe Willis’ bar.
After the play, there was a wry smile from Urso who knew that a second goal would’ve effectively sealed our post-season progression, settling Orlando City SC nerves in the latter stages of the game.
But Orlando City SC managed their lead and the remaining minutes incredibly well, just like they did in game one.
With only four minutes of second-half stoppage time called, to City supporters’ relief, Orlando City SC saw it out again before Allen Chapman’s full-time whistle was met with sheer ecstasy and joy in the away dugout.
With Oscar Pareja leaping up into assistant coach Josema Bazán’s arms, Papi then fist pumped towards Felipe Martins, demonstrating Orlando City SC’s hunger, passion, and determination to go all the way.
Ultimately, 2023 wasn’t to be our year, but nights like these in Nashville are the kind of occasions we want to experience much more often!
What’s at stake this time?
Reassuringly, Orlando City SC have now scored two or more goals in six straight matches.
It’s been a fantastic response to adversity!
The best possible time to switch gears, it appears we’ve finally ignited our offence as we head down the stretch.
Due to how Saturday’s results played out, we remain seventh in the Eastern Conference but are still crucially in the last automatic qualification spot for the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs.
Right now, the Lions are three points ahead of eighth-placed Toronto FC and four points ahead of both Nashville SC (ninth place) and CF Montréal (tenth place).
Interestingly, Toronto FC have played one game more (24) than Orlando City SC (23).
Because things are so tight and congested in the Eastern Conference standings, Orlando City SC have much more work to do in our 11 regular season fixtures that remain.
But now that we have demonstrated fight and bottle to beat Toronto FC, D.C. United, and New England Revolution, we can hopefully look forward to more victories 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.
As for Facundo Torres, it’s taken him a while but we can now confidently say that El Cuervo is back!
Tallying six goals and four assists in his last six MLS appearances, just what is it about Facu and getting hot down the stretch?
In his two-and-a-half seasons with Orlando City SC so far, Torres has started each campaign unassumingly, only to catch fire at the business end of the season.
If he could stay in-form for the duration of an entire season, what a player he’d be!
But ultimately, Facundo Torres’ snub from the 2024 Copa América appears to have made him extra determined to succeed.
Beyond Facundo Torres’ hot streak, there are just four MLS teams with more away wins than Orlando City SC (5) right now.
Indeed, FC Cincinnati (9), Inter Miami (8), Columbus Crew (6), and Vancouver Whitecaps (6) have the most road victories so far this season.
Say what you will about Oscar Pareja, but during his time at Orlando City SC, he has consistently demonstrated his ability to lift the team and get them back on track!
Recent signs are encouraging but we now need to apply even more pressure to reel in sixth-placed Charlotte FC who remain five points ahead of us in the East.
Dean Smith’s side achieved a noteworthy 1-3 victory at FC Cincinnati on Saturday – a win that arrested a two-game losing streak.
Opposition danger men
When it comes to danger men, Hany Mukhtar is still by far and away Nashville SC’s best player.
Named the 2022 Landon Donovan MLS MVP, Mukhtar has been one of Major League Soccer’s best players for multiple years now.
Ever since a steady, but not spectacular debut 2022 season with Nashville SC, the German midfielder / forward has taken his form and consistency to incredible new heights.
So much so that he now boasts an outstanding record of 63 MLS goals and 45 MLS assists.
Not bad at all for Nashville SC’s first ever Designated Player who swapped Brøndby for Music City back in 2020.
Renowned for his excellent ball control, dribbling ability, and prolific goalscoring, Hany Mukhtar is also ice cool when taking penalty kicks, scoring 15 and only missing three in MLS play.
Even if you’re not an avid follower of Major League Soccer, you’ve still likely seen Mukhtar’s trademark celebration where he salutes the nearby home (or away) supporters after scoring one of his many, many goals.
While Hany Mukhtar has struggled to recapture his form of previous seasons – tallying just five goals and seven assists this season – he can still destroy opposition teams in an instant.
Especially Orlando City SC!
While he hasn’t scored in the last three MLS head-to-heads, Hany Mukhtar was most certainly a Lion tamer before that!
Between August 2020 and April 2023, Mukhtar recorded a goal or assist in every match he played against Orlando City SC across all competitions (7 goals, 5 assists).
Besides Mukhtar, Englishman Sam Surridge is carrying the goalscoring threat for Nashville SC this year.
Listed as questionable (ankle) for this game, the former AFC Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest striker is currently Nashville SC’s top goalscorer with eight MLS goals this season.
Surridge joined the Music City side midway through 2023 and it’s fair to say that Hany Mukhtar’s creativity and playmaking ability definitely complement his goalscoring instincts.
Last but not least, Jacob Shaffelburg was recently a breakout star for Canada at the 2024 Copa América.
Scoring in Canada’s statement quarter-final victory over Venezuela (1-1 A.E.T., 3-4 on penalties), the speedy left winger earned four tournament starts under Jesse Marsch and impressed after his unconventional path to stardom.
But having just played 90+ minutes in the 2024 Copa América third place match on Saturday, interim head coach Rumba Munthali must decide whether Shaffelburg is fresh enough to face Orlando City SC this Wednesday.
So far this 2024 MLS regular season, Jacob Shaffelburg has one goal and three assists to his name.
New opposition faces
Since the clubs’ last meeting in MLS, Nashville SC have a new head coach in the dugout at GEODIS Park.
Back in May, Rumba Munthali was named interim head coach of Nashville SC after the sacking of Gary Smith.
In fact, former USMNT assistant coach B. J. Callaghan was named the new Nashville SC head coach on July 3 but he will officially join the club on July 22.
With Gary Smith having been Nashville SC’s only head coach in club history, it was a big call to fire him.
Especially since Smith had been with the club since 2018, overseeing their transition from USL to MLS, much like fellow Englishman Adrian Heath did for Orlando City SC.
But after a disappointing exit from the 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs at the hands of the Lions and a 2-5-4 record in Nashville SC’s first 11 games of 2024, Ian Ayre and the Front Office decided to end Gary Smith’s tenure.
Smith’s final game in charge was actually a 2-0 win over Toronto FC back on May 15.
But only a day later, the Nashville SC hierarchy were decisive in sacking Smith who was booed during the TFC pre-game introductions.
Speaking of Gary Smith, there was certainly no love lost between the Englishman, his Nashville SC side, and Orlando City SC.
Outspoken in his criticism of the Lions after the clubs’ October meetings last year, Smith’s quotes of “It’s not anything I would want for my team” and “You’ve still seen them jumping up and down like they’ve won the World Cup” were nothing but sour grapes with City having clearly gotten under the Englishman’s skin.
Since Rumba Munthali took over at Nashville SC, the Zambian-born head coach has gone 3-3-5 during his 11 games in charge.
Player-wise, Nashville SC have added Forster Ajago, Tyler Boyd, Julian Gaines, Isaiah Jones, Brent Kallman, Woobens Pacius, Amar Sejdić, and Dru Yearwood to their roster for 2024.
Of the new arrivals, English midfielder Yearwood has made the most MLS appearances (22) with the former New York Red Bulls man helping to fill the void left by Dax McCarty who joined Atlanta United back in January.
As for Tyler Boyd, the 10-cap USMNT international has only scored two MLS goals for Nashville SC after swapping LA Galaxy for Music City in 2024.
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.
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.
But he’s already in Europe having scored in the U.S. Olympic team’s 1-0 pre-tournament friendly victory over Paraguay on Saturday.
Therefore, Duncan McGuire won’t be available for City until the USMNT U-23 squad’s Olympic run is over.
As for Nashville SC, they will be missing club captain Walker Zimmerman who is also currently in France as one of the three overage players selected in the USMNT U-23 side for the 2024 Summer Olympics.
Dominant in aerial duels and often seen outmuscling opponents to win headers, Zimmerman’s absence is definitely a boost for Orlando City SC.
Elsewhere, Julian Gaines (ankle), Aníbal Godoy (lower body), Randall Leal (hip), and Lukas MacNaughton (ankle) are all definitely out while Sam Surridge (ankle) is questionable.
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Last 3 head-to-heads
- October 4, 2023: Nashville SC 0 Orlando City SC 1 (MLS)
- October 30, 2023: Orlando City SC 1 Nashville SC 0 (2023 MLS Cup Playoffs)
- November 7, 2023: Nashville SC 0 Orlando City SC 1 (2023 MLS Cup Playoffs)
2020/23 head-to-head stats
- It was 0-1 to Orlando the last time the sides met (November 2023)
- Played Nashville 11 times in MLS – Nashville 3, Draws 4, Orlando 4
- Orlando have won the last 3 MLS head-to-heads 0-1 / 1-0
- Nashville have lost their last 4 consecutive MLS fixtures
- Facundo Torres has 6 goals and 4 assists in his last 6 MLS appearances
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Watching the game
Nashville SC vs Orlando City SC will be shown live on Apple TV at 01:30 (GMT) on Thursday, July 18.
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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