Orlando City SC

STATS PREVIEW: Chicago Fire vs Orlando City SC – 22.10.2025

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EMBARRASSED, HUMILIATED, CRESTFALLEN!! All words that describe Orlando City SC’s pathetic 4-2 collapse at Toronto FC on 2025 MLS Decision Day. At the start of the night, a win would have sealed a playoff spot proper – in the top seven of the Eastern Conference. Instead, the Lions limped to another defeat, ending the season in 9th place – a staggering decline from our top four finishes of recent years. We started the season with a 2-4 loss to Philadelphia Union, and we ended it the same way against Toronto. Symmetry, right? Over the year, Orlando have surrendered 13 points after the 80th minute alone. Had we held on in these games, we’d be sitting on 66 points, likely contending for the Supporters’ Shield. Instead, we’re now heading to SeatGeek Stadium (not Soldier Field) to contest the Wild Card play-in game. It’s a far cry from the home playoff ambitions this roster promised.

And what a roster it was supposed to be. Martín Ojeda producing at MVP level, Alex Freeman enjoying a meteoric rise, and Marco Pašalić becoming Facundo Torres’ perfect replacement. Despite scoring more regular season goals (63) than ever before, we have failed to make our firepower count. A spare U22 Initiative slot sat vacant all season, and Ramiro Enrique was sold after the Secondary Transfer Window closed. Mismanagement, wasted talent, and poor execution on and off the pitch have defined Orlando City SC’s disappointing 2025 regular season. The collapse in decision-making and consistency has been breathtaking, leaving fans, staff, and owners with every right to feel frustrated and betrayed.

This isn’t just disappointing – it’s regression. From legitimate MLS Cup contenders to 9th in the East, Orlando City SC have taken a massive step backwards. Wednesday’s trip to Chicago Fire isn’t just another match. It’s the final chance to salvage some pride from a season of squandered opportunities, soft goals, wasted leads, and unfulfilled potential. The squad, the coaching staff, and the club as a whole must take a long, hard look at themselves before 2026, because this year has been nothing short of disastrous. If you ask me, major changes are needed this off-season – both on the touchline and in the squad. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Toronto FC vs Orlando City SC – 18.10.2025

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WIN THIS AND LOCK IN A TOP SEVEN FINISH!! 🤞🏽🙏🏽 Orlando City SC travel to Toronto FC this Saturday, desperate to bounce back after last weekend’s 1-2 collapse to Vancouver Whitecaps. Leading for most of the game, we capitulated badly after the 81st minute. Don’t get me wrong – facing Vancouver without four first-team internationals was always going to be tough. That bloody 2025 Leagues Cup run continues to haunt us, doesn’t it? But it’s no excuse. There’s parking the bus, and then there’s just giving up altogether! I love what Oscar Pareja has done for our club. But his bunker-and-counter approach AT HOME feels outdated, momentum is gone, and the season already feels over. Worst of all, the threat of the Wild Card match looms large.

Ultimately, it’s been a strange season, hasn’t it? We’ve hit high points, including a league double over Inter Miami, beating Crew 1-3 away, and snatching a late 3-2 win over Nashville SC. But injuries to Joran Gerbet and Robin Jansson, a leaky defence, and stale tactics have left us limping to the finish. We look far from MLS Cup contenders despite compiling arguably our strongest roster ever.

It’s now or never for this group too – especially Pedro Gallese, Robin Jansson, and Kyle Smith. Then there’s César Araújo, Luis Muriel, the in-demand Alex Freeman, and maybe even Oscar Pareja too. Let’s just hope we haven’t seen the last of Jansson at Inter&Co after his nasty collision with Vancouver’s Daniel Ríos. Returning internationals will need to inspire at BMO Field, and the Lions must knuckle down to take all three points. With a top seven finish on the line – and Wild Card danger looming – this clash against Toronto FC is huge. Lose, and we may limp into the play-in game, reinforcing the idea that Papi can only deliver playoff soccer but never an MLS Cup. After exiting the U.S. Open Cup early, missing out on a 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup spot, and now facing potential Wild Card jeopardy, 2025 has become a frustrating season for Orlando supporters. Honestly, even the most optimistic Lion would be deflated about our MLS Cup chances. It could be a winter of discontent in Central Florida, so the players must dig deep and create some momentum to salvage the campaign. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs Vancouver Whitecaps – 11.10.2025

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WIN THIS AND WE SEAL A TOP SEVEN FINISH!! 🤞🏽🙏🏽 For the first time in six MLS seasons, Orlando City SC welcome Vancouver Whitecaps to Inter&Co Stadium this Saturday. And it’s our final home fixture of the 2025 regular season. The sides haven’t met since April 2019, adding extra intrigue to a clash that was originally scheduled for August 30 before being rearranged due to our deep 2025 Leagues Cup run.

It’s a big night in more ways than one. Already locked into the MLS Cup Playoffs for a sixth consecutive year – the longest active streak in the league – the Lions know this is their last game in hand. And it simply has to count in the race for a top four finish. The timing, though, is awkward, with the FIFA international break stripping both sides of key players. Fortunately for us, Pedro Gallese is available after not being called up by Peru.

For Vancouver, this is a gruelling 3,214 mile trip which is around five hours and forty minutes by direct flight. Whitecaps land in Central Florida jubilant, having recently lifted the 2025 Canadian Championship trophy on October 1. With playoff seeding on the line, it’s high stakes as the Lions look to sign off at Inter&Co in style. Continue reading →

Setback for Orlando City SC in their pursuit of Tottenham Hotspur’s Richarlison

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Despite unveiling an ambitious “career project” to sign him in summer 2026, Orlando City SC have been rebuffed in their pursuit of Tottenham Hotspur striker Richarlison. Yesterday, Bruno Andrade of ESPN Brasil revealed that City wanted to sign the Brazilian to a long-term deal, making him a central figure in our pre-2026 FIFA World Cup plans. Today, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano corroborated the story, confirming that “Ricardo Moreira spoke to Richarlison’s camp” in London to outline the project. However, talks stalled, with the forward still considered “a key player for Spurs”.

Some claim that Orlando tried to sign Richarlison this past summer, but the biggest obstacle is Tottenham’s asking price – reportedly around €40 million ($46.4 million). This was a figure that Orlando City SC were simply unwilling to consider. Richarlison (28) holds a contract with Spurs until December 2027 and has played in England since 2017. This season, the Brazilian international has contributed three goals and one assist in seven Premier League appearances for Thomas Frank’s side. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs Columbus Crew – 04.10.2025

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THE LIONS ARE LOCKED IN!! 🦁🔒 For the sixth straight season, Orlando City SC have clinched their spot in the MLS Cup Playoffs – and there’s still plenty left to play for! A stoppage time header from Alex Freeman sealed a 1-1 draw at high-flying FC Cincinnati last Sunday – a result that keeps us right in the hunt for a top four finish. With just three games to go, every point is priceless.

Now back at Inter&Co Stadium for our penultimate home fixture of the regular season, the focus shifts to Columbus Crew. Sitting just two points and two places beneath us in ninth, Wilfried Nancy’s men arrive winless in three, reeling from a 2-0 defeat at Chicago Fire. Crucially, we hold a game in hand on almost all of the top six, making Saturday’s clash more than just a playoff preview. It’s a chance to draw closer to the top four and build momentum at just the right time. With nine Eastern teams now locked into the post-season, the only question left is who secures a top four spot and who gets pulled into the Wild Card fight. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: FC Cincinnati vs Orlando City SC – 28.09.2025

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THE CARDIAC CATS ARE BACK, BABY!! 🫀🦁 And just in the nick of time! Duncan McGuire’s last-gasp winner against Nashville SC wasn’t only massive for him personally. It could prove huge in our push for a top four home playoff spot. When Jacob Shaffelburg made it 2-2 after our hard-earned 2-0 lead, every Lion felt that familiar sinking feeling.

But credit to the boys – and to McGuire – for playing to the whistle, keeping the belief, and snatching what might be a season-defining goal. A trademark poacher’s finish, it was McGuire’s first City strike since May 24, and it keeps our playoff hopes alive heading into the final four games. Next up is a tough trip to TQL Stadium, where Pat Noonan’s FC Cincinnati are pushing hard in the 2025 Supporters’ Shield race. In our third ‘Sunday Night Soccer’ slot of the season, let’s hope we can make it back-to-back wins after busting our five-game winless slump. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs Nashville SC – 20.09.2025

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We’re feeling the pressure, aren’t we? 😬 After a costly 1-1 draw at bottom-placed D.C. United, Orlando City SC return home for a massive showdown with Nashville SC. Winless since advancing past Toluca, the Lions must rediscover their form with the playoffs fast approaching – or at least we hope! Dropping points at Audi Field was criminal, and with only five regular season games left, the margin for error is now razor thin.

The stakes couldn’t be clearer. Orlando currently sit EIGHTH on 48 points but have one game in hand and trail fourth-placed Nashville by just two. A win at Inter&Co Stadium would put us right back in the top four fight. But Nashville have been a nightmare opponent this year, knocking us out of the U.S. Open Cup and hammering us 5-1 only two league games ago. Nothing less than three points will do if we’re serious about chasing a home playoff spot. No more excuses! Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: D.C. United vs Orlando City SC – 13.09.2025

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BACK TO BUSINESS, LIONS! 🦁 After a frustrating fourth place finish in the 2025 Leagues Cup, Orlando City SC are back in MLS action this Saturday. Visiting D.C. United, we desperately need three points and a return to form. The Galaxy defeat still stings, and the squad looked drained in Carson. But the international break gave most of our players a chance to rest, recover, and reset ahead of this must-win clash.

The East is still wide open, and with a game in hand on the current top four, this fixture is crucial if we want to secure a home playoff spot. D.C. United may be rock bottom, but they’ve picked up under new head coach René Weiler. Unbeaten in three (1-2-0), they pulled off a shock 1-2 win at New York City FC last time out, so they won’t be pushovers. Lose this one, and it’s panic stations. Win it, and we’re back on track, with belief and momentum heading down the stretch. Continue reading →

Twitter reacts to… Al-Kholood signing Ramiro Enrique from Orlando City SC

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After César Luis Merlo broke the story on August 29, Orlando City SC have announced that Ramiro Enrique has joined Saudi Pro League side Al-Kholood in a deal reportedly worth $3.3 million. While the MLS Secondary Transfer Window closed on August 21, the Saudi window remains open until September 10, giving the club time to reinforce their squad. Tom Bogert tweeted that the move is the “third-highest outbound transfer in Orlando City history”, behind Facundo Torres ($14 million) and Daryl Dike ($9.5 million). And given that Enrique never fully secured a regular starting spot at centre forward, the Lions clearly couldn’t turn down the offer.

Joining from Banfield ahead of the 2023 campaign, Ramiro Enrique quickly won over The Wall with his tireless, street-fighter style up front. Though not a consistent starter, he displaced Luis Muriel and Duncan McGuire midway through last season, setting a new club record with six consecutive games scoring. His standout moment came in the 2024 Eastern Conference Semi-Final against Atlanta United on November 24, when he scored his first-ever playoff goal on 39 minutes – enough to send Orlando to their first-ever Eastern Conference Final.

Overall, Enrique made 102 appearances (43 starts) for City across all competitions, scoring 26 goals and providing 7 assists. Renowned for his intelligent movement, tireless work ethic, and clinical finishing, we wish Ramiro all the best in Saudi Arabia. Continue reading →