STATS PREVIEW: Chicago Fire vs Orlando City SC – 20.08.2023

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Eliminated from the 2023 Leagues Cup back on August 2, Orlando City SC return to MLS regular season action, travelling to the Windy City to take on Chicago Fire at Soldier Field.

Prior to the Leagues Cup break, Oscar Pareja‘s Lions climbed to fifth in the Eastern Conference – and just one point off fourth-placed Nashville SC – after an impressive run of three victories in four MLS fixtures. Continue reading

A quick word on *that* Inter Miami defeat before we all move on…

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Before we begin, Orlando City SC‘s 3-1 defeat to Inter Miami in the 2023 Leagues Cup on Wednesday evening was bitterly disappointing for players and supporters alike. Disappointing because ever since our 2011 founding, the club have long enjoyed a love affair with cup competitions, none greater than last season’s victorious 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup triumph – our first title in our MLS era.

A rivalry fixture – with state bragging rights at stake – it’s always gutting losing , especially in knockout competition in enemy territory, but genuine supporters accept these highs and lows as part and parcel of The Beautiful Game.

What I must admit though – and I reiterate that these opinions are the thoughts of Orlando City UK (Taylor Williams), not Orlando City SC – is that I had cynical feelings that our Inter Miami defeat would play out the way it did – and so it proved on a controversial night at DRV PNK Stadium. Continue reading

STATS PREVIEW: Inter Miami vs Orlando City SC – 02.08.2023

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Orlando City SC will face the world’s greatest ever player Lionel Messi in their next club fixture. A wild sentence that seemed implausible a few years ago, that is the reality with City now visiting Florida rivals Inter Miami in the 2023 Leagues Cup Round of 32.

Qualifying from our “South 2” group to the knockout stage courtesy of home triumphs over Houston Dynamo (1-1 at full-time, 5-4 on penalties) and Santos Laguna (3-2), Orlando City SC probably couldn’t have faced a tougher MLS opponent right now – such has been the relentless nature of Messi’s start to life in South Florida. Continue reading

STATS PREVIEW: Santos Laguna vs Orlando City SC – 29.07.2023

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After defeating Houston Dynamo 5-4 on penalties (1-1 at full-time) in our first “South 2” group game of the 2023 Leagues Cup, Orlando City SC now face Liga MX side Santos Laguna at Exploria Stadium, requiring at least two points to guarantee a spot in the Round of 32 knockout stage.

Previously facing Guerreros back in the 2021 Leagues Cup, Miguel Gallardo‘s boyhood club Santos Laguna were victorious on that occasion (0-1) with Oscar Pareja‘s side hoping for a better outcome this time around. Continue reading

Twitter reacts to… Orlando City SC re-signing Júnior Urso

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Exactly a week since Orlando City SC supporters were treated to clips of Júnior Urso revisiting Osceola Heritage Park and embracing Oscar Pareja, the Lions yesterday announced the re-signing of the 34-year-old fan favourite on a contract through the end of the 2023 season – with a club option in 2024.

A surprise, yet hugely popular mid-season addition to our 2023 roster, it’s been 251 days since Júnior Urso mutually terminated his contract with City, reluctantly returning to Brazil – and Coritiba – due to personal reasons. Continue reading

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs Houston Dynamo – 21.07.2023

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This Friday sees a break from MLS play with Orlando City SC hosting Houston Dynamo in the three-team group stage of the 2023 Leagues Cup.

With the regular season on hiatus, City take now compete in the Leagues Cup for the first time since 2021. In that second edition of the tournament, the Lions were ironically eliminated 0-1 by Santos Laguna – the other side making up our “South 2” group this year. Continue reading

STATS PREVIEW: Atlanta United vs Orlando City SC – 15.07.2023

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Emphatically defeated 4-0 at Real Salt Lake, Oscar Pareja‘s Orlando City SC must pick themselves up quick for another road test – this time against fierce rivals Atlanta United at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Each regular season, this is the away game many Orlando City SC supporters want to win the most with the Lions having only won once in Georgia in eight separate attempts. Continue reading

STATS PREVIEW: Real Salt Lake vs Orlando City SC – 08.07.2023

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Even before the post-match Exploria Stadium fireworks show to commemorate July 4, Orlando City SC celebrated Independence Day with a bang by emphatically defeating Toronto FC 4-0.

Registering two home victories in a row and only losing one of our last eleven MLS fixtures, Oscar Pareja‘s upwardly mobile Lions now face a tough three-game road streak in MLS, sandwiched by at least two ties in the 2023 Leagues Cup. Continue reading

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs Toronto FC – 04.07.2023

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After beating Chicago Fire 3-1, Oscar Pareja‘s Orlando City SC stay at Exploria Stadium for a July 4 Independence Day showdown with Toronto FC.

Recently relieving Bob Bradley of his duties on June 26, Terry Dunfield is now interim head coach of TFC who face a Lions side placed seventh in the Eastern Conference, currently just three points behind fourth-placed Columbus Crew. Continue reading