After a month without MLS, Orlando City SC’s return to league action was bitterly disappointing with the Lions comprehensively defeated 3-0 at Sporting Kansas City. Now returning home to face Nashville SC at Inter&Co Stadium, the Lions have just eight regular season fixtures remaining to seal a place in the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs.
At SKC, the Lions had a one-man advantage for the final 23 + 12 minutes, but failed to create any real attacking threat throughout the game, missing a key opportunity to gain points against a low-ranking Western Conference opponent. Poor finishing and defensive lapses allowed Sporting Kansas City to capitalise in one of Orlando City SC’s worst performances of 2024.
As for Saturday’s opponents Nashville SC, they are in free fall having just suffered their seventh consecutive MLS defeat. Beaten 0-2 at home by Austin FC last Saturday, this was B. J. Callaghan’s first MLS game in charge of the Music City side after he took over during the 2024 Leagues Cup. A rare penalty miss by Hany Mukhtar in the first-half paved the way for Jon Gallagher and Osman Bukari to seize all three points at GEODIS Park.
Last time out
Orlando City SC’s five-game unbeaten streak in MLS ended abruptly with a 3-0 loss to Sporting Kansas City last Saturday.
Despite SKC being reduced to 10 men with 23 + 12 minutes remaining, the Lions failed to mount any significant offensive threat.
With our remaining regular season fixtures now in single digits, we missed a big opportunity to secure points against a struggling Western Conference opponent.
On the night, Jake Davis, Dániel Sallói, and Rémi Walter found the net for Sporting Kansas City.
And unfortunately, there were no positives to be drawn from Orlando City SC’s performance, which was subpar across the board.
Sporting Kansas City showed their intent right from kick-off, with Erik Thommy attempting an audacious shot from the centre circle, aiming to catch Pedro Gallese off his line.
Although the shot sailed just over the crossbar, El Pulpo appeared to have it covered.
Orlando City SC had their chances early on but failed to capitalise.
In the second minute, Facundo Torres sent a long ball to Ramiro Enrique in the right corner.
Enrique’s cutback found Iván Angulo, who then set up Torres for a shot.
Unfortunately, Torres’ effort was weak and off-target.
Shortly after, a defensive error by the hosts gave Enrique a clear shot inside the box, but he fired straight at goalkeeper Tim Melia.
Wilder Cartagena and Kyle Smith also had opportunities within the first six minutes, but neither could find the back of the net.
Martín Ojeda created another chance on 8 minutes, cutting the ball back to Facundo Torres inside the area, but defender Tim Leibold blocked the attempt, leading to a corner.
The ensuing set piece was overhit, and Orlando City SC’s early missed chances began to cost them, allowing Sporting Kansas City to take control as the first-half wore on.
Following an open first 10 minutes, the match settled into a more even contest.
However, Orlando City SC’s sloppiness in possession allowed Sporting Kansas City to create multiple chances.
Pedro Gallese made a crucial save on 27 minutes to deny Erik Thommy, but Dániel Sallói’s long-range effort three minutes later forced another save.
Despite a promising ball from Wilder Cartagena to Facundo Torres on 34 minutes, the chance was snuffed out by Tim Leibold.
Orlando City SC’s inability to retain possession in dangerous areas continued to hurt us.
The breakthrough for Sporting Kansas City came on 44 minutes, after Orlando City SC frustratingly failed to clear their lines.
Not just a preventable goal, it was an awful time to concede!
Somehow, Stephen Afrifa managed to play the ball on the ground, ridiculously bypassing both Kyle Smith and César Araújo.
Simply not good enough from the City duo, this allowed Jake Davis to score with a powerful strike into the top corner (1-0).
Orlando City SC had a golden chance to equalise in first-half stoppage time when Wilder Cartagena was fouled in the area, but Martín Ojeda’s shot from close range sailed over the bar.
Sporting Kansas City took their 1-0 lead into half-time with Oscar Pareja making a change at the break.
Papi brought on Rafael Santos for Kyle Smith, who had a difficult first-half.
Orlando City SC started the second-half with some promising attacks, but a missed volley by Facundo Torres led to a swift counter-attack by Sporting Kansas City.
And this attack was fatal because Dániel Sallói finished it off with a powerful shot inside Pedro Gallese’s near post on 52 minutes (2-0).
With Erik Thommy laying a smart reverse pass into the onrushing Hungarian, this goal left City with a mountain to climb.
Despite bringing on Duncan McGuire and Luis Muriel for Iván Angulo and Martín Ojeda, Orlando City SC couldn’t find a way back into the game.
Fresh off his new contract, McGuire had a chance to pull one back on 65 minutes.
But he made the wrong decision, passing to an offside Facundo Torres instead of Ramiro Enrique.
Although Enrique scored, the referee correctly disallowed the goal.
Pedro Gallese made another save on 67 minutes to keep the score at 2-0, but Orlando City SC’s struggles continued.
Even after Willy Agada was deservedly sent off for a dangerous high tackle on Facundo Torres.
We’re just relieved El Cuervo wasn’t seriously injured and could carry on!
Despite having a one-man advantage for the final 23 minutes plus 12 minutes of stoppage time, the Lions failed to create any meaningful chances or maintain possession in the attacking third.
Sporting Kansas City sealed their victory in the second minute of stoppage time when Rémi Walter scored their third goal.
With City’s defence disorganised and in a complete mess, Walter struck outside the box and found the top corner (3-0).
The look on Pedro Gallese’s face said it all on a night that we must forget fast!
Luis Muriel’s late free kick and shot from distance were both poor, and the final whistle marked one of Orlando City SC’s worst performances of 2024.
Despite having an extra player for 35 minutes, Orlando City SC failed to register a single shot on target against a team that had conceded 52 MLS goals this season.
Last head-to-head
Last facing Nashville SC back on July 17, the Lions emphatically defeated the Music City side 0-3 at GEODIS Park.
City’s fourth MLS win in a row, it was also our fourth consecutive shutout against Nashville SC (0-6 on aggregate).
While the match started sloppily for both sides, Nashville SC threatened a few early shots.
César Araújo blocked 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 César Araújo, who headed the ball past Joe Willis for his first goal of the season (0-1).
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.
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 three MLS games, it was 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 had 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).
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.
However, City are dangerously just one point above eighth-placed Toronto FC while trailing sixth-placed Charlotte FC by four points.
By defeating Houston Dynamo 0-1 on the road, TFC closed the gap on Orlando City SC to just a single point.
Luckily, Charlotte FC could only draw 1-1 against New York Red Bulls, although they still pulled a further point clear of Orlando City SC.
Significantly however, Toronto FC have played one game more (27) than Orlando City SC (26).
With just eight regular season fixtures remaining, we need to shake off our SKC defeat quick to put ourselves back in a positive mindset.
One that will further solidify our position above the red line.
If we are to achieve a spot in the post-season, we desperately need to figure out our poor home form having only taken 13 points from a possible 36 at Inter&Co Stadium (3-4-5).
This is shockingly the second-worst home record in MLS, with only wooden spoon holders San Jose Earthquakes having earned fewer home points (10).
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 usually ice cool when taking penalty kicks too.
Well, I say that, but last Saturday, with the game tied at 0-0, Mukhtar missed from 12 yards when Austin FC’s Brad Stuver saved his penalty.
This means Mukhtar has now scored 15 penalties and missed just four 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 four 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.
The former AFC Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest striker / winger 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 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.
So far this 2024 MLS regular season, Jacob Shaffelburg has one goal and three assists to his name.
New opposition faces
Since Orlando City SC last faced Nashville SC, the Boys in Gold have several new faces both on and off the field.
Indeed, B. J. Callaghan officially took over as Nashville SC head coach on July 22.
The former USMNT assistant coach is only Nashville SC’s second permanent head coach following the dismissal of Gary Smith earlier this season.
Between Smith and Callaghan’s tenures, interim head coach Rumba Munthali managed the team between May and July, going 3-3-7 during his 13 games in charge.
Prior to the 2024 Leagues Cup break, Nashville SC were in free fall under Munthali, losing six MLS fixtures in a row!
And the pressure is firmly on B. J. Callaghan after he lost his first MLS game to Austin FC (0-2).
Player-wise, Nashville SC signed Australia international midfielder Patrick Yazbek from Viking Stavanger back on July 22.
Having been a team-mate of David Brekalo at Viking, Yazbek has bolstered Nashville SC’s central midfield that already includes Tah Anunga, Sean Davis, Aníbal Godoy, Amar Sejdić, and Dru Yearwood.
Then, on July 30, Nashville SC signed winger Jonathan Pérez on loan from LA Galaxy as a Season-Ending Injury Replacement player.
Pérez joined Nashville SC after Tyler Boyd suffered a season-ending ACL (knee) injury in Nashville SC’s game with Orlando City SC back on July 17.
Injuries, new signings, and suspensions
Heading into this game, Mason Stajduhar (right lower leg) is definitely out for the Lions.
But after missing the trip to SKC, new signing Heine Gikling Bruseth should be in contention to make his MLS debut.
As for Nashville SC, Tyler Boyd (knee), Sean Davis (knee), Randall Leal (hip), Lukas MacNaughton (ankle), and Dru Yearwood (lower body) are all definitely out.
Elsewhere, Nashville SC’s Patrick Yazbek will miss this game too.
Major League Soccer has issued a two-match suspension to the midfielder for violating the league’s Non-Discrimination Policy in last weekend’s Nashville SC vs Austin FC game.
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Last 3 head-to-heads
- 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)
- July 17, 2024: Nashville SC 0 Orlando City SC 3 (MLS)
2015/24 head-to-head stats
- It was 0-3 to Orlando the last time the sides met (July 2024)
- Played Nashville 12 times in MLS – Orlando 5, Draws 4, Nashville 3
- Orlando have won the last 4 MLS head-to-heads by an aggregate score of 6-0
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 9 of Orlando’s last 10 MLS fixtures
- Nashville have lost their last 7 consecutive MLS fixtures
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Watching the game
Orlando City SC vs Nashville SC will be shown live on Apple TV at 00:30 (GMT) on Sunday, September 1.
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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