Our foot is on the gas and we ain’t letting go! Comprehensively defeating Nashville SC 0-3 last night, Orlando City SC have now won four MLS games in a row with three of these wins coming away from home. Solidifying our seventh-placed position in the Eastern Conference, Oscar Pareja’s Lions have surged from 21 points to 33 points in only a fortnight. Talk about a turnaround!
Currently six points ahead of both Toronto FC (eighth place) and CF Montréal (ninth place), the Canadian sides each share 27 points. Significantly, TFC have played one game more (25) than City (24) and were defeated 3-1 at Inter Miami last night – their seventh loss in eight MLS games.
Having built up a fantastic head of steam prior to the 2024 Leagues Cup break, Orlando City SC now host New York City FC at Inter&Co Stadium in our final game before Major League Soccer’s controversial one-month hiatus. Nick Cushing’s NYCFC rescued a 2-0 deficit to draw 2-2 at Atlanta United last night and are currently placed fifth in the East on 37 points.
In many ways, the 2024 Leagues Cup falls at the worst possible time for Orlando City SC, especially considering our forward momentum in the Eastern Conference. The Leagues Cup is not only a massive inconvenience but also lacks integrity, as it effectively replaced a legitimate 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. But we’ll be sharing our passionate thoughts on this subject next week, so stay tuned!
Last time out
Defeating Nashville SC 0-3 at GEODIS Park last night, Orlando City SC have impressively taken six points from two quick-fire road games.
This victory marked City’s fourth straight MLS win and our fourth consecutive shutout against Nashville SC (0-6 on aggregate).
Having gone 6-3-4 on the road this season, the Lions remain unbeaten in regular season road games against Nashville SC (2-3-0).
On the night, Oscar Pareja made just one change to the lineup that defeated New England Revolution on Saturday with Rafael Santos replacing Kyle Smith at left back.
And for a second consecutive game, Ramiro Enrique kept Designated Player Luis Muriel out of the starting eleven.
In truth, last night’s match started sloppily for both sides.
That said, Nashville SC threatened a few early shots with César Araújo blocking a Teal Bunbury shot on 3 minutes with Hany Mukhtar seeing a powerful shot saved by Pedro Gallese just a minute later.
Orlando City SC’s first promising attack came on 11 minutes when Martín Ojeda found Facundo Torres in the box, but Facu’s shot went over Joe Willis’ bar.
We wouldn’t have to wait too much longer to open the scoring, however.
On 19 minutes, City broke the deadlock from a set piece won after Alex Muyl fouled Ramiro Enrique, earning him a yellow card.
Martín Ojeda’s perfect delivery to the back post found an unmarked César Araújo who headed the ball past Joe Willis for his first goal of the season (0-1).
Considering it was Araújo who assisted Ramiro Enrique off an Ojeda corner at Revs, Tincho deserves huge credit for improving the accuracy of his set pieces.
From here, Nashville SC piled on the pressure, winning several set pieces as they searched for an equaliser.
But fortunately for us, Jack Maher’s free header from a corner went wide on 25 minutes.
Having missed this big chance, Orlando City SC punished Nashville SC by doubling their lead on 40 minutes.
With that man Martín Ojeda taking charge of another set piece, Tincho’s free-kick comically bounced off Jack Maher’s head and then Alex Muyl’s face, deflecting into the net for an own goal (0-2).
Despite it being an own goal, this goal was significant because it marked Orlando City SC’s seventh consecutive match with multiple goals – a club record.
Scoring 21 goals in our last seven MLS fixtures and averaging three per game since June 19, Orlando City SC are now unrecognisable from the team that struggled to score earlier this year.
Leading 0-2 at half-time, the Lions spent the second-half focusing on counter-attacks and limiting Nashville SC to few opportunities.
With neither team managing a shot in the opening 15 minutes of the second-half, Teal Bunbury volleyed over Pedro Gallese’s bar on 67 minutes with Joe Willis equal to a Facundo Torres effort two minutes later.
On 72 minutes, Nashville SC’s Amar Sejdić fired a shot from the top of the box, but El Pulpo saved it and quickly launched a counter-attack.
Iván Angulo’s pass found second-half substitute Nicolás Lodeiro, but Joe Willis again made a crucial save.
The victory was sealed beyond all doubt on 81 minutes when Ramiro Enrique added the icing on the cake.
It all started when Angulo found sub Luis Muriel at the top of the box.
Although Muriel’s shot was blocked, Iván Angulo retrieved the rebound and passed it to Ramiro Enrique who fired a fierce shot past Joe Willis, off the crossbar, and in (0-3).
Enrique’s third goal in his last three MLS games, it’s amazing to see the Argentine hit form after injuries and green card issues threatened to derail his season.
As for Nashville SC’s Hany Mukhtar, who has haunted Orlando City SC so many times in the past, it was a quiet night for the German, managing only two shots, with just one on target.
With Jeorgio Kocevski and David Brekalo both substituted on late to help secure the victory, Orlando City SC finished the game with more shots (9-8) and shots on target (5-2).
Last head-to-head
Last facing New York City FC back on June 28, Orlando City SC were painfully defeated 4-2 at Yankee Stadium.
Beyond the result, the game was marred on 29 minutes when 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.
The sight of Mason lying down on his back and frantically staring at his leg was simply horrible to witness and we wish both he and Jones the speediest of recoveries.
As for the game itself, 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.
In a chaotic 15 minutes of first-half stoppage time – yes, 15 minutes due to the sickening 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.
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.
What’s at stake this time?
Right now, Orlando City SC are crucially in seventh place and the last automatic qualification spot for the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs.
With Charlotte FC (1-1) and Toronto FC (3-1) both failing to win last night, the Lions gained momentum on CLTFC while moving another three points clear of TFC.
Yet another great night for the Lions, it’s been a fantastic response to adversity!
At the moment, City are just three points behind sixth-placed Charlotte FC and six points ahead of both Toronto FC (eighth place) and CF Montréal (ninth place).
Significantly, Toronto FC have played one game more (25) than Orlando City SC (24) too.
While Orlando City SC still have more work to do in our remaining 10 regular season fixtures, we’ve done well to put ourselves back in contention for a fifth consecutive post-season appearance.
Hopefully, we can now defeat New York City FC to secure our fifth consecutive victory, further solidifying our position above the red line before the untimely and annoying 2024 Leagues Cup break.
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!
After all, there are just two MLS teams who have secured more away points than Orlando City SC (21) right now.
Indeed, only FC Cincinnati (28) and Inter Miami (26) have accumulated more points away from home this season.
Officially the best MLS team on the road last season (9-4-4 = 31 points), it’s been great to see Orlando City SC get back to being their pesky, savvy, and bothersome best on the road!
The Lions just need to figure out their poor home form having only taken 12 points from a possible 33 at Inter&Co Stadium (3-3-5).
As for Martín Ojeda, the Argentine earned his fifth consecutive MLS start in the number 10 position at Nashville SC.
Undoubtedly Orlando City SC’s most improved player in recent times, City supporters have long lobbied for Tincho to consistently play in his best position rather than being shifted between the wing and a super-sub role.
With Oscar Pareja now trusting Martín Ojeda, his sustained starts are bearing fruit.
Then there’s Ramiro Enrique.
Undroppable right now having scored in each of his last three MLS appearances, Ramiro Enrique is shining in Duncan McGuire’s absence – something that is great for the team.
Sometimes in soccer, it’s about the next man up and when everybody was expecting Luis Muriel to have his moment, it is Enrique who is seizing his big opportunity.
Maybe more Ramiro Enrique goals will help to convince City supporters that there is life after Duncan McGuire who has been linked with Blackburn Rovers, Legia Warsaw, and Torino this summer.
Opposition danger men
When it comes to New York City FC danger men, Santiago Rodríguez is the jewel in the crown of The Pigeons’ 2024 roster.
Having inherited the number #10 jersey from Maxi Moralez, versatile forward Rodríguez currently has eight goals and seven assists so far this MLS season.
Either deployed in the number 10 position, on either wing or sometimes as a false nine, Santiago Rodríguez is renowned for his creativity, vision, and dribbling skills.
Speaking of Moralez, he now wears the number #27 jersey and is back at NYCFC for a second spell at the ripe old age of 37.
Besides Rodríguez, Austrian winger Hannes Wolf is currently enjoying his first ever taste of Major League Soccer.
Joining NYCFC from Borussia Mönchengladbach in January 2024, former Swansea City loanee Wolf currently has four goals and seven assists so far this MLS season.
In 2024, NYCFC no longer rely on star-studded names in the twilight of their careers, such as Frank Lampard, Andrea Pirlo, and David Villa.
Having rethought their recruitment policy, Nick Cushing is putting his faith in lesser-known, younger stars instead.
Indeed, winger Julián Fernández (2 MLS goals) and striker Alonso Martínez (8 MLS goals) have also contributed in Major League Soccer so far this season.
Back on May 31, Martínez achieved the fastest hat-trick in NYCFC club history when The Pigeons demolished San Jose Earthquakes 5-1.
Scoring in the 85th, 92nd, and 95th minutes, it took the Costa Rican just 10 minutes to grab all three of his goals.
New opposition faces
Although he isn’t a new signing for NYCFC, 17-year-old Christian McFarlane has recently broken into The Pigeons’ first team.
The highly-rated left back is an England Under-17 international and has earned two successive starts leading up to this fixture.
On September 16, 2021, at just 14 years and seven months, McFarlane signed his first professional contract with NYCFC, making him the third-youngest player to sign a Major League Soccer contract at the time.
Injuries, international call-ups, returnees, and suspensions
Heading into this game, Michael Halliday (right knee) and Mason Stajduhar (right lower leg) are definitely out while Facundo Torres (thigh) is questionable.
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 |
Elsewhere, forgotten man Luca Petrasso could be in contention for this game after returning from his loan spell with Triestina in Italy.
Back training with City since the start of July, Petrasso had to 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 New York City FC, Malachi Jones (leg) and former Lion Andrés Perea (leg) are both definitely out for Nick Cushing’s side.
NYCFC have no players absent due to international duty, however.
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Orlando City SC vs New York City FC
Last 3 head-to-heads
- May 17, 2023, Orlando City SC 1 New York City FC 1 (MLS)
- September 20, 2023: New York City FC 2 Orlando City SC 0 (MLS)
- June 28, 2024: New York City FC 4 Orlando City SC 2 (MLS)
2015/24 head-to-head stats
- It was 4-2 to NYCFC the last time the sides met (June 2024)
- Played NYCFC 24 times in MLS – Orlando 8, Draws 7, NYCFC 9
- Ramiro Enrique has scored in his last 3 MLS appearances for Orlando (3 goals)
- Mounsef Bakrar has scored in his last 2 MLS appearances against Orlando (2 goals)
- NYCFC have failed to win their last 5 away fixtures in MLS (0-2-3)
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Watching the game
Orlando City SC vs New York City FC will be shown live on Apple TV at 00:30 (GMT) on Sunday, July 21.
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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