⚠️ Warning; this blog comes with a disclaimer. ⚠️ Before you read any further, we’d like to warn you that there is a high probability that you risk upsetting yourself all over again as we delve deep into Orlando City SC’s crushing 0-1 home defeat to New York Red Bulls last night in our first-ever Eastern Conference Final in the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs. There won’t be a recap video from Orlando City UK today, as I’m too downhearted to get in front of the camera and dissect last night’s loss. 😔 Heck, I switched off my Apple TV stream on the full-time whistle, eager to avoid seeing New York Red Bulls parade the Eastern Conference Trophy around Inter&Co Stadium. 🤢 Instead, we hope our write-up provides some comfort and clarity, if any at all, ahead of another off-season of reflection.
When we joined MLS in 2015, it was for nights like last night. The electric atmosphere, the high stakes, and the hope and anticipation swirling in the air. Even the sky was purple on our biggest MLS night yet! But unfortunately, the moment passed us by. So much hope and so much expectation – now evaporated in an instant. One goal, one match, one missed opportunity. And just like that, the dream is over for another year.
Oscar Pareja is a great coach, no doubt, and someone I respect and admire deeply. For what it’s worth, I want him to stay! But ultimately, MLS Cup will continue to elude him until his teams start scoring when it really counts in knockout games. That’s the painful truth. Personally speaking, I’ve been so close yet so far, supporting Arsenal, Orlando City SC, and England these past few years. My pain is palpable right now. Why does our attack never seem to do anything when it really matters in the playoffs? It’s a question we’re all asking ourselves this morning as the sting of last night’s loss lingers.
But there’s a glimmer of hope. With no CONCACAF Champions Cup to contend with in 2025, following two consecutive tournament appearances in 2023 and 2024, Orlando City SC have a real opportunity to hit the ground running next season. With a reduced schedule and fewer crunch games at the start of a new year, perhaps we can get off to a better start, push further, and rectify our shortcomings in next year’s playoffs.
I know you probably won’t want to hear it right now, but Orlando City SC truly have come so far since our disappointing early years in Major League Soccer. Having once been perennial losers, we are now a seasoned playoff team, year in and year out. While MLS Cup frustrataingly continues to elude us, we are getting closer and closer. One day, it will be our time! With Oscar Pareja already signed to a contract through 2025, and dynamic duo Luiz Muzzi and Ricardo Moreira each signed through 2025, we still have a talented and hungry team behind the team, so keep the faith and enjoy your off-season. Vamos Orlando! 😈
Eastern Conference Final – How it went down:
After nine months of relentless MLS action, Orlando City SC’s 2024 journey came to a sudden and heartbreaking conclusion last night.
In our first-ever Eastern Conference Final, Oscar Pareja’s Lions faced a do-or-die showdown against New York Red Bulls at Inter&Co Stadium.
With the season on the line, the Lions suffered a narrow and painful 0-1 defeat, bringing our positive-looking campaign to an abrupt end.
With several top seeds already eliminated, Orlando City SC found themselves as second favourites to win 2024 MLS Cup.
It felt like destiny was calling, and deep down, we knew we’d never have a better opportunity to claim Major League Soccer’s ultimate prize!
The stakes couldn’t have been higher, with the reward being a mouthwatering trip out west to face either LA Galaxy or Seattle Sounders who were contesting the Western Conference Final.
In the end, LA Galaxy will host New York Red Bulls in 2024 MLS Cup, thanks to Dejan Joveljić’s decisive late goal in their 1-0 victory at Dignity Health Sports Park last night.
But from the opening whistle in our game, the tension inside Inter&Co Stadium was palpable.
Of the four Conference Finalists in the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs, Orlando City SC stood alone as the only team yet to claim MLS Cup glory – a narrative that added further weight to an already historic occasion.
Last night, Oscar Pareja stuck with the same Orlando City SC starting eleven for our fifth consecutive playoff match.
Kicking towards The Wall in the first-half, the Lions aimed to capitalise on their solid 9-5-6 home record in MLS this season.
For Oscar Pareja, last night’s game marked his 23rd MLS Cup Playoffs match.
He was determined to finally secure his first-ever appearance in Major League Soccer’s ultimate showpiece, either as a player or coach.
Meanwhile, in what was Orlando City SC’s 12th playoff game in club history, captain Robin Jansson anchored the backline – earning his 11th post-season start.
As expected, the first-half was a cagey affair, reflecting the immense pressure on both sides.
With three New Jersey natives – Daniel Edelman, Peter Stroud, and John Tolkin – all starting, New York Red Bulls imposed their trademark high press from the outset.
In a boost for Orlando City SC, Peter Stroud stepped into New York Red Bulls’ starting lineup, replacing the injured Felipe Carballo.
Carballo had been the hero of their Eastern Conference Semi-Final at Citi Field, scoring the opener in a commanding 0-2 victory that eliminated their fierce cross-town rivals, New York City FC.
Apple TV commentators Steve Cangialosi and Danny Higginbotham pointed out the potential impact of long throw-ins from César Araújo and John Tolkin.
However, despite their effectiveness as a tactical weapon, neither side capitalised on this advantage during the first half.
On 13 minutes, Orlando City SC endured a nervy moment when Robin Jansson mishit a clearance high into the night sky.
Fortunately, the Lions cleared their lines.
Just two minutes later, a feisty edge emerged as Cameron Harper’s late challenge on Iván Angulo ignited shoving between Wilder Cartagena and Dante Vanzeir.
This set the tone for a physical battle ahead.
Early on, Ramiro Enrique was central to much of Orlando City SC’s attacking intent.
On 18 minutes, Enrique took a nasty knock to the head in a collision with Dylan Nealis but, thankfully, he was able to continue after receiving treatment.
Meanwhile, Facundo Torres forced Colombian defender Andrés Reyes into an early yellow card on 22 minutes, awarded by referee Rosendo Mendoza after his clumsy takedown.
Reyes’ booking encouraged Orlando City SC, who repeatedly targeted him in central defence with long balls aimed at Enrique.
Despite our efforts, City struggled to break down a stingy and disciplined Red Bulls defence.
Our best chance of the first-half – and the entire game – came on 33 minutes.
It was a moment that will haunt us for a little while yet.
After a magnificent first touch, Martín Ojeda sprinted down the left wing.
This was before delivering a sublime square pass across the Red Bulls’ box to Facundo Torres, who was bearing down on Carlos Coronel’s goal.
With the Paraguayan international goalkeeper quickly off his line, Torres set himself well for the one-on-one chance but fired a weak shot that Coronel was quick to smother.
This denied what looked like a golden opportunity to break the deadlock.
Had Carlos Coronel not made that crucial save to deny El Cuervo, the game could have unfolded entirely differently.
The Red Bulls would have been forced to come out of their defensive shell and not sit so deep from that point forward.
Massive save from Carlos Coronel to keep us level 😤@NewYorkRedBulls // Audi #MLSCupPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/cXftXPxx0w
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) December 1, 2024
At the other end of the pitch, Orlando City SC also had some narrow escapes, as the Red Bulls displayed their own threat on the counter, keeping the Lions on edge as the first-half drew to a close.
On 36 minutes, Dante Vanzeir’s improvised flick from an Emil Forsberg free-kick narrowly missed Pedro Gallese’s left-hand post, just inches away from opening the scoring for the visitors.
New York Red Bulls captain Emil Forsberg irked the home crowd throughout the first-half too, hitting the turf a couple of times after minimal contact from Orlando City SC challenges.
Then, on 39 minutes, the Lions squandered another golden opportunity to open the scoring.
After Robin Jansson took over from Pedro Gallese to punt a long goal kick forward, Ramiro Enrique leaned into Andrés Reyes to put the Colombian off making a header.
Spinning off Reyes, the tireless Enrique raced forward and stuck out an opportunistic right boot to steal the ball from Sean Nealis before charging dangerously into the Red Bulls box to shoot one-on-one.
Cries of “Shoot! Shoot!” echoed around Inter&Co Stadium with Carlos Coronel’s net seemingly set to ripple.
But just as Enrique was about to pull the trigger inside New York Red Bulls’ box, Cameron Harper came to the visitors’ rescue.
While Enrique could see the whites of Coronel’s eyes, Harper’s crucial last-ditch interception saw our second big chance disappear just as quickly as it materialised.
On 42 minutes, Dante Vanzeir dangerously danced past Rafael Santos on the edge of the Orlando City SC box, making his way inside our penalty area.
For a split second, Robin Jansson could’ve dived in, but he held off, and Vanzeir shot wide.
The play was flagged offside, so any resulting goal wouldn’t have counted, but it certainly boosted Red Bulls’ belief.
With neither side able to find the breakthrough, the half ended 0-0.
It was a half defined by disciplined defending, physicality, and the looming threat of a decisive moment.
With Orlando City SC yet to score a goal against Red Bulls in two prior meetings this season, it felt as though one goal could decide the game – and with it, a precious spot in 2024 MLS Cup.
The Lions returned for the second-half knowing they had everything to play for, urged on by a raucous, yet tense, home crowd desperate for history to be made.
Having missed two golden chances to score in the first-half, we were left hoping we wouldn’t regret those missed opportunities in this do-or-die, make-or-break knockout game.
Would it be third time lucky against our New Jersey opponents?
The answer lay ahead.
But just 49 seconds into the second-half, things began to unravel quickly for Orlando City SC.
Making a challenge he didn’t need to, with Rafael Santos already set and covering, Iván Angulo clumsily shoved Cameron Harper in the back just outside our penalty area after a Dylan Nealis switch of play.
In doing so, we conceded a dangerous free-kick to New York Red Bulls.
As we originally pointed out in our Orlando City SC vs New York Red Bulls stats preview, we told you about John Tolkin’s “ability to make an impact off set pieces with his trusty left foot.”
And unfortunately, we weren’t wrong!
Standing menacingly over the free-kick that Angulo conceded, Tolkin whipped a dangerous left-footed cross right to Pedro Gallese’s back post.
Andrés Reyes managed to escape both Wilder Cartagena and Rodrigo Schlegel, heading Tolkin’s cross into the net and giving Red Bulls a priceless 0-1 lead.
It was a brutal time to concede, and the goal knocked the stuffing out of Inter&Co Stadium.
ANDRES REYES WITH AUTHORITY 😤@NewYorkRedBulls take a decisive lead in the Eastern Conference Final!
Audi // #MLSCupPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/oftdCBEvep
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) December 1, 2024
Like letting the air out of a balloon, it was a bitter blow for Orlando City SC, and from this point, we struggled to regain our composure.
Scoring the decisive goal in Orlando City SC’s prior 1-0 defeat at Red Bull Arena on June 1, Tolkin was the tormentor of the Lions once again!
Despite this setback, Oscar Pareja’s men battled on though.
On 58 minutes, Rafael Santos tested Red Bulls’ defensive resolve with a deflected strike that forced a corner.
From Martín Ojeda’s resulting corner, Robin Jansson went down inside the Red Bulls’ box, but our frantic appeals for a penalty were waved away by referee Rosendo Mendoza and VAR.
As the game neared the hour mark, Dylan Nealis, especially aggressive and stingy, embodied the Red Bulls’ defensive resolve.
He broke up several Orlando City SC attacks with timely interventions, a display of defensive excellence he’s showcased throughout the entire 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs so far.
Looking to turn the tide, Oscar Pareja introduced Duncan McGuire and Luis Muriel for Ramiro Enrique and Dagur Dan Thórhallsson just after the hour mark.
The hope was that this duo could inject some renewed energy up top, but Orlando City SC’s frustration only deepened.
A huge flashpoint came on 64 minutes, when referee Rosendo Mendoza was at the centre of the game’s most controversial moment.
Somehow, Andrés Reyes escaped what should have been a clear second yellow card (and red card) for a high challenge on Duncan McGuire.
Instant replays confirmed Reyes’ boot went dangerously into McGuire’s face – an obvious second yellow card in any league, anywhere.
But not at Inter&Co Stadium, and not under the watch of Rosendo Mendoza on a massive night when it mattered most!
With his no-call, Mendoza set a ridiculously high tolerance for aggressive, dangerous play.
Ultimately, he forgot his cards on a night where he seemed too scared to send anybody off.
As the voice of Orlando City SC, Evan Weston tweeted: “Cannot believe Reyes got away with that”.
Had Andrés Reyes received a second yellow card for his high boot on McGuire, I don’t think any Apple TV pundit or MLS supporter would have considered the decision a huge mistake.
Don’t get me wrong; we didn’t lose the Eastern Conference Final because of this decision alone.
But in a game of this magnitude, at the end of a long, hard, and taxing season, you have to get the big calls right.
And Mendoza absolutely bottled this one.
So, so frustrating!
Compounding our frustration – and adding to the feeling of it being us against the world – Rosendo Mendoza booked Sean Nealis just three minutes later for scything down Luis Muriel as he charged at the heart of the Red Bulls defence.
While this yellow card was the correct decision, it made his prior no-call on Andrés Reyes even more glaring.
How did Mendoza overlook such an obvious second yellow just three minutes prior?
Just where was the consistency?
Mendoza bottled it, as we’ve already said – absolute coward!
And where was VAR, which suddenly went missing when we needed it most?
It’s just ridiculous!
With Muriel causing mischief between the Red Bulls’ midfield and defence, Sean Nealis’ foul on him gave Orlando City SC a glimmer of hope that Red Bulls’ stingy rearguard might finally crack.
As the game entered its final stages, the Lions needed to throw everything at Red Bulls to equalise, but it all felt far too passive!
On 71 minutes, Oscar Pareja made a key change, withdrawing Wilder Cartagena for Nicolás Lodeiro.
With his record-tying 13 assists across all competitions this season, Lodeiro brought fresh hope that he could be the one to unlock Red Bulls’ disciplined defence.
Given his impressive record of seven goals and 10 assists in MLS Cup Playoffs history, Lodeiro was the perfect man to call upon in this crucial moment.
On 77 minutes, Martín Ojeda’s cross to the Red Bulls’ back post narrowly evaded both Duncan McGuire and Facundo Torres, much to our anguish.
Just two minutes later, a superb through ball from Luis Muriel to Duncan McGuire presented Orlando City SC with another golden opportunity, but the striker’s effort disappointingly flew wide.
Annoyingly, the Nealis brothers and the entire Red Bulls defence remained resolute all night, suffocating Orlando City SC and blocking our attempts to equalise.
With time running out fast, our frustration peaked again on 84 minutes.
Performing his best Carlos Rivas impression, Luis Muriel absolutely fluffed his lines, skying a downright awful shot into the Legends’ Terrace from a promising position inside the Red Bulls’ box.
In many ways, this finish summed up his entire 2024 campaign.
Much was expected of Muriel as our big-name Designated Player arrival in the off-season, but he’s flattered to deceive far too often, leaving the Orlando City SC home faithful with more questions than answers.
Despite his vast experience and obvious quality, Luis Muriel just hasn’t been able to adapt to expectations and has been very disappointing, it pains me to say.
Moments later, the speedy Iván Angulo appeared on John Tolkin’s blindside and flicked an effort on goal, but it sailed just inches wide.
On our biggest night as a Major League Soccer club, we just didn’t bring our shooting boots – plain and simple.
It was a downright awful time to lose our poise and precision in front of goal, with Orlando City SC so desperately close, yet so far from a first-ever MLS Cup appearance.
On 88 minutes, Oscar Pareja desperately threw on Kyle Smith and Jack Lynn for César Araújo and Iván Angulo, but we just couldn’t force an equaliser.
In fact, in stoppage time, Pedro Gallese kept our slender hopes alive, making a crucial one-on-one sliding tackle save on second-half sub Elias Manoel.
But all in all, our efforts were in vain, as Orlando City SC players fell to their haunches, crestfallen at the final blow of Rosendo Mendoza’s whistle.
We froze in our biggest MLS moment yet, letting a huge opportunity to reach MLS Cup slip through our fingers.
It was a truly painful end to a campaign that started disastrously but ended with so much more credit and respect in the bank.
Especially after rescuing our season and turning our form around to become the MLS team with the most wins (10) and most points (31) in MLS since July 1.
Frankly, 2024 didn’t end with silverware, but you have to feel buoyed by the fact that Orlando City SC are edging closer and closer to winning MLS Cup.
Eliminated at the Eastern Conference Semi-Final stage last season, we went one stage further this year.
By this logic, surely 2025 is our year, right?
Orlando City SC made us dream in 2024, but as my good friend David Valentin says, soccer is cruel and unpredictable.
It’s a pound of talent and an ounce of luck.
They say it’s the hope that kills you, and following Orlando Pride’s historic double this year, I truly felt the stars were aligning for a 2024 MLS Cup win too
As the dust settles on last night, one thing remains clear: the bond between Orlando City SC and its supporters only grows stronger.
With Inter&Co Stadium sold out for a second successive playoff game, the supporters only bolstered their reputation for being among the best in all of Major League Soccer.
Remember, a soccer club is forever – win, lose or draw.
As our tifo during our MLS home opener against Real Salt Lake back in 2016 at the Citrus Bowl said: “These Colors are for Life Now.” 💜💛
A night unfortunately laced with ifs, buts, and maybes, allow us to summarise.
We apologise in advance, but pre-warned you that this blog wasn’t going to be an easy read!
Ifs
- What if Ramiro Enrique got his shot off earlier on 39 minutes to put Orlando City SC 1-0 up?
Buts
- Orlando City SC could’ve capitalised on 26+ minutes with an extra man, but referee Rosendo Mendoza bottled a clear second yellow (and red) for Andrés Reyes’ high boot on Duncan McGuire.
Maybes
- Maybe the game could’ve panned out differently had Facundo Torres buried his huge chance on 33 minutes to put Orlando City SC 1-0 up?
Hindsight is a wonderful thing, especially in soccer, and these are the questions that Oscar Pareja, the players, supporters, and the Wilf family would have been reflecting on repeatedly last night, this morning, and likely for weeks to come.
At the moment, some divisiveness has resurfaced within City’s fanbase, which is often the case after tough results like last night’s.
That said, it’s worth noting that the level of divisiveness and toxic conversation hasn’t been nearly as intense as it was this time last year.
One factor that made a difference this time around?
Keeping eleven men on the field, for sure!
The ‘Oscar Pareja Out’ argument
In one corner, you have the ‘Oscar Pareja out’ crowd.
They generally believe that Orlando City SC will never win an MLS Cup in the modern era with Papi as head coach.
- They argue Pareja’s tactics are outdated and not suited to modern MLS
- The team’s reliance on wide play and crossing into the box is too one-dimensional
- This approach struggles to break down disciplined, organised defences
- Concerns about the team’s inability to break defensive lines persist
- Without changes to the attacking game plan, continued struggles are likely
- Orlando City SC still often get too emotional, hot-headed, and reckless in big games
- City still have an inferiority complex in crunch games and against top MLS sides
- Pareja lacks the experience of ever reaching an MLS Cup, either as a player or as a head coach
The ‘Oscar Pareja In’ argument
In the opposite corner, you have the ‘Oscar Pareja In’ crowd.
They firmly believe that his leadership is key to Orlando City SC’s continued success and future MLS Cup contention.
I’m in this camp, by the way! ✅
- Oscar Pareja has been in charge since 2020, understands Orlando, gets our culture, and has led the team to the MLS Cup Playoffs for five consecutive seasons
- He’s already delivered a trophy with Orlando City SC, winning the 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
- Pareja consistently makes City hard to beat, with a strong track record in away games and a focus on tried and tested bunker and counter tactics
- Last night’s loss wasn’t due to Oscar’s setup; the players failed to score, and that’s on them
- No top MLS head coaches are currently available to replace Pareja; who is genuinely better right now?
- Overseas coaches may struggle to adapt to MLS’s unique challenges of roster building and travel
- A complete reset of coaches and players after achieving two consecutive top four finishes would be extreme
The ‘Undecided’
It’s also important to note that many Orlando City SC supporters don’t strictly align with either camp.
Instead, they find merit in some of the arguments from both sides.
Thank you, Orlando City SC!
Orlando City UK wants to take this moment to thank the Orlando City SC players and coaching staff for all their efforts this year.
To our supporters, your passion knows no bounds and we know that like the team, you will be back stronger, better, and more resilient than ever before next season.
As the dust settles on our MLS campaign, we’ll soon have details about how you can vote in our 2024 end-of-season awards.
We hope you all have a great Christmas holiday celebrating with friends, family, and everybody else you hold dear.
In the meantime, Orlando City UK gathered the best tweets following Orlando City SC’s crushing 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs defeat to New York Red Bulls.
FULL-TIME | 0-1
It’s over. Absolutely devastated. 😭😔
This one REALLY hurts. 💔
Never felt like our night in the second-half.
But @OrlandoCitySC made us dream this year. 🥺💜
Our full reaction coming tomorrow. 🔜
Night all! 😴#ORLvRBNY #OrlandoCity #MLSCupPlayoffs #MLSUK pic.twitter.com/SrrRsl3RVD
— x – Orlando City UK (@Orlando_CityUK) December 1, 2024
Feel numb. 😔 Tonight passed us by. Don’t know when we’ll get a better chance to win @MLS Cup! 🏆 One day we will. ☁️ Facu’s first-half miss was huge.
But remember, win, lose or draw, rain or shine, 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗡𝗼𝘄. 💜#OrlandoCityUK 🦁🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/njbfNBJA6a
— x – Orlando City UK (@Orlando_CityUK) December 1, 2024
I told the group chat that I was worried about our lack of scoring in the playoffs
That the xg from the last game was primarily due to game state & atl chasing the game
Today we were chasing and we just aren’t built to break teams down
I hate going out w/no goals @ home too
— x- Antonio Cruz🏆 (@EddieTheCommish) December 1, 2024
Heartbroken.#OrlandoCity pic.twitter.com/pmsgHtBWWL
— The English Lion (@TheEnglishLion1) December 1, 2024
Thought the stars were aligned. We will never get an easier route to the Final. We fell into the RBNY trap and never escaped.
— dman (@dmanock) December 1, 2024
Wow we are finally agreeing on something all between the Oscar In/ Oscar Outs 😂 only a few seasons to late
— Bryce Miller (@Brmill2) December 1, 2024
Not the outcome we wanted, but we were heard. We want to thank each and every supporter for this season. From heartbreak to celebration, we loved it. You all make us proud. Work on 2025 starts soon. Real soon. 😈
Thank you pic.twitter.com/mrxbbVXCql
— RUCKUS (@RuckusOrlando) December 1, 2024
You couldn’t be more wrong. Blaming Pareja for everything is complete stupidity. The refs missed at least 1 red card, multiple PKs, and multiple yellows against NYRB. Sure the finishing could’ve been better, but it’s hard for our players to perform with horrible officiating.
— Austin Tingley (@tingleya_24) December 1, 2024
That’s been the same story of every important game for the last 3 years.
— Kyle (@KyleHasThoughts) December 1, 2024
I'm torn. Because everything you said is correct, but ultimately he also isn't a ceiling-raiser as a coach, and this team has enough regarding the players to win sommet.
— ¹¹⁵ (@MCFCThommy) December 1, 2024
Ultimately we scored one goal in open play all playoffs.
That just isn’t going to cut it
We got lucky pen given how late it was to bail us out
One goal off a deflection
& one real goal
That’s why we are done
Skunked at home by a team that skunked us 3 times this year 😡
— x- Antonio Cruz🏆 (@EddieTheCommish) December 1, 2024
In big games there's no finishing touch/killer instinct. This big-game bottling won't stop until he's gone. I just don't think he'll go because there's always the glass half-full side with him.
— ¹¹⁵ (@MCFCThommy) December 1, 2024
I’m papi out…but I hate this. I wanted him to take us to the promised land. I do think creating 1 to 2 chances is just not enough. It was a good 2nd half of the season. I’m just glad we’re not Miami. 😂
— Jimmy D (@jimmy_slc) December 1, 2024
Heartbreaking loss for Orlando City. We'll never know what could have been had Reyes been sent off. Ultimately they didn't do enough. An amazing season ends a week shy of destiny. #ORLvRBNY #OrlandoCity
— Evan Weston (@EvanLWeston) December 1, 2024
I completely agree. You can't blame everything on the coach. The players could not score period blank done. It should have been 2-0 us at halftime. The ref also didn't do us any favors, way to many calls that didn't go our way. Shocked Reyes wasn't given a second yellow…
— Sean (@Sean15983200) December 1, 2024
This was my view last night. This was on the players not taking shots. They tried to make that extra pass too often and missed opportunities to either put a shot on goal or maybe get a penalty in the box. I watched their faces as they realized they screwed up chances. pic.twitter.com/HpfriNpFB7
— ⚔️Charles⚔️ (@IronLionKnight) December 1, 2024
I agree. Look at the last 8 games of the season we were averaging 2.8 goals a game. Look at the playoffs, same line up as those 8 games. 2 goals, 0 goals, 1 goal, 1 goal, 0 goals. Like every year this team gets to playoffs. Gets tight. Can't score. That's on the players.
— BS (@kornkid1311) December 1, 2024
Fully behind the coach. Honestly the way the team are coached is excellent. I’d say we need more impact from a DP than Muriel gives and I’d like to see quite a big, tall attacker to attack those crosses going into the box to give us a better plan B
— Mjw28Gaming (@28Mjwood) December 1, 2024
Agreed! The lack of execution was evident. On a related note, I would not be opposed at releasing Muriel. Tonight he showed his age. Onwards and upwards. At least the Pride won!
— A. Friend (@AFriend008) December 1, 2024
Robin Jansson in postgame presser: “We started slow this season but then turn it around to end in 4th place, we put in the work but today’s game is tough to digest, everyone is disappointed.” “We had some good chances in the first half but didn’t capitalize and it didn’t go our… pic.twitter.com/27MwJeDSds
— Loud and Proud Orlando (@lpo_podcast) December 1, 2024
It took him a season and a half to effectively utilize Ojeda- too slow to adjust
I wanted to pull my hair out with those crosses last night. They’re great when they work but clearly they were not working and they did absolutely nothing to adjust.
— PattyValentine💜🦁⚽🏆 (@p_a_valentine) December 1, 2024
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