MLS Cup Playoffs

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs Atlanta United – 24.11.2024

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It’s time, Orlando! With potential 2024 MLS Cup glory just 270+ minutes away, Orlando City SC are on the cusp of reaching their first-ever Eastern Conference Final. Standing in City’s way are fierce Georgia rivals Atlanta United who visit Inter&Co Stadium this Sunday in a single elimination Eastern Conference Semi-Final. Both teams have played each other 21 times in MLS, but never in a playoff match, until now. With just eight teams remaining in the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs, the stage is set, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. This is what we’ve worked all season for – and now, it’s all about executing when it matters most.

After our heart-stopping game three victory over Charlotte FC in Round One, Orlando City SC have proven once again that we know how to handle pressure. Our thrilling 4-1 shootout victory (1-1 at full-time) saw us progress to our third-ever Eastern Conference Semi-Final, but this has been the end of the line twice before. Still carrying scars from our semi-final exits to New England Revolution (2020) and Columbus Crew (2024), it’s now up to Oscar Pareja’s Lions to go further than any Orlando City SC team has before. So, let’s be THAT team and say ‘why not us?’.

In Round One (game three), Facundo Torres’ buzzer-beater heroics and Pedro Gallese’s clutch penalty shootout saves were a testament to the grit and determination that define our team. With our momentum building, we’re hungrier than ever. Ultimately, Orlando City SC will never have a better opportunity to reach their first-ever MLS Cup. After all, the top three seeds in the Eastern Conference – Inter Miami (first), Columbus Crew (second), and FC Cincinnati (third) – shocked everyone by getting eliminated in Round One of the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs. If we can get past Atlanta United, Orlando City SC will host either sixth seed New York City FC or seventh seed New York Red Bulls at Inter&Co Stadium – a tantalising prospect with our fourth seed home advantage paying dividends.

Over the years, Atlanta United have been the bane of Orlando City SC’s existence. They not only won MLS Cup in their second-ever season (2018). They also hold a 10-7-4 MLS record over the Lions since joining the league in 2017. A team our supporters love to hate, it would be incredibly sweet to knock out The Five Stripes. We’d be one step closer to clinching what we’ve all yearned for since 2015 – that coveted Philip F. Anschutz Trophy and a first-ever MLS star above our crest! With a sellout crowd expected to pack out Inter&Co Stadium, Orlando City SC must be bold, focused, and disciplined. We can’t allow rash decisions, hot-headedness, and red cards to be our downfall like in post-seasons of old. Let’s show we’re #AllTeeth and ready to send Atlanta United packing! LFG. Vamos Orlando! Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs Charlotte FC – 09.11.2024

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It’s crunch time, Orlando! The 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs are in full swing, and our season all comes down to this – game three. The stakes couldn’t be higher as Orlando City SC prepare to battle Charlotte FC one final time in our Round One Best-of-3 Series. With everything riding on a victory at Inter&Co Stadium, this is our moment to rally and remind the league who we are.

Last Friday’s penalty shootout defeat in Charlotte was a tough pill to swallow. A 40,000-strong crowd at Bank of America Stadium roared on the home team as they narrowly escaped with their first-ever MLS playoff win. Despite a hard-fought 90+11 minutes, our Lions couldn’t find the net, and the shootout heroics we’d relied on for years failed to materialise. Charlotte FC’s goalkeeper, Kristijan Kahlina, was the hero of the night, denying us twice from the spot with The Crown winning 3-1 from 12 yards.

But what’s done is done, and it’s all eyes on the present. Ultimately, Orlando City SC now have the chance to flip the script and seal our third-ever appearance in the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals. We expect a larger crowd to pack out Inter&Co Stadium compared to game one, and in a high-stakes atmosphere, our Lions need to come out firing. On a do or die night, there’s no room for passive play, like in game two! It’s time to be bold and take the game to Charlotte FC, leaving no doubt about our intent to advance.

We secured home advantage for moments just like this, and having broken our club record for single-season goals (59), we have the firepower to make it count. With the roar of our people behind us in the 407, there’s no room for anything less than a full team effort. Let’s show we’re #AllTeeth and ready to go all the way. Vamos Orlando! Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Charlotte FC vs Orlando City SC – 01.11.2024

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It’s time to turn the page, Lions! After a mature and dominant 2-0 home win over Charlotte FC last Sunday, Orlando City SC have put themselves on the brink of advancing in the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs. Now visiting Charlotte FC in game two of the Round One Best-of-3 Series, Oscar Pareja’s men have the chance to clinch progression with a win at Bank of America Stadium. This isn’t just another match; it’s a pivotal moment for a squad that’s shown resilience, determination, and a clear desire to right the wrongs of past playoff campaigns.

Having only ever contested one MLS Wild Card match (2023) before, game one was Charlotte FC’s first playoff game proper, with the Lions capitalising on their home advantage. For me, our performance was nothing short of a statement. Facundo Torres broke Orlando City SC’s club record for single-season goals (19) with a brilliant opener, and Martín Ojeda added a second to seal a victory that showcased Orlando City SC’s hunger and grit. Despite last Sunday’s success, the team knows the job isn’t finished yet. It’s all about the next challenge.

As we prepare for this crucial clash, the atmosphere in Charlotte will be electric, and the stakes are high. In fact, it will actually be Charlotte, North Carolina’s first major playoff game in any sport since 2016. A City win in game two not only sends us through to the Eastern Conference Semi-Final stage but also allows us to build on the momentum we’ve generated in the playoffs thus far. With our eyes set on avoiding a third game, the message is clear: finish the job and show that we mean business!

Despite their struggles in game one, let’s not forget that Charlotte FC are capable of rising to the occasion, particularly on their home turf at the 74,867 capacity Bank of America Stadium where the Upper Bowl will be open. The Crown will be eager to bounce back, but with the confidence taken from our last outing and the support of our loyal travelling fans, we have every reason to believe we can finish the job. It’s time for Orlando City SC to show the league that they’re not just a contender but a true force to be reckoned with. Vamos Orlando! Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs Charlotte FC – 27.10.2024

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It’s that time of year again, folks! Buckle up for a bumpy ride because the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs are here, and Orlando City SC are gearing up for what we all hope is ultimate 2024 MLS Cup glory! Could this finally be our year? By appearing in the 2024 MLS Cup playoffs as fourth seed in the East, Orlando City SC are one of just three active MLS teams to reach the post-season in five consecutive seasons – an impressive feat achieved every single year under Oscar Pareja’s leadership. Things were all looking rosy prior to October’s FIFA international break. However, Papi’s men enter the playoffs with a seed of doubt in their minds following a disappointing 1-2 loss to Atlanta United at Inter&Co Stadium on 2024 MLS Decision Day.

I know what you’re thinking. It was only our third defeat in 14 MLS matches, with New York City FC’s 2-0 defeat at CF Montréal securing us fourth place and home field advantage anyway. But I couldn’t help feeling frustrated. We missed a chance to end the regular season on a high note, failing to eliminate our fierce rivals on our home turf, despite referee Rubiel Vazquez’s harsh intervention, but we’ll get to that later. Maybe I’m overreacting, but I believe it was a missed opportunity to solidify a battle-ready mindset for the post-season.

Now the playoffs are here, it’s time to puff out our chests and forget last weekend. In this year’s Round One Best-of-3 Series, Orlando City SC will face Charlotte FC and not New York City FC who we all expected. In truth, avoiding a game at Yankee Stadium or Citi Field is probably a blessing! Reflecting on the 2024 MLS regular season, Orlando City SC scored 59 goals, breaking our club record (55 in 2023 and 2016) for the most goals in a single season. We’re also unbeaten against Charlotte FC this year, drawing 2-2 at Bank of America Stadium on June 19 before defeating The Crown 2-0 at Inter&Co Stadium on September 18. Having only ever lost once to the Mint City side (2-0-1) in Central Florida, our home advantage will make us favourites to progress, but make no mistake – Charlotte FC are no mugs.

Going 14-9-11 in Dean Smith’s inaugural season as Charlotte FC head coach, The Crown ended upon on 51 points in the Eastern Conference, just one point behind Orlando City SC (52). Finishing the MLS regular season with three straight victories, Charlotte FC will be feeling mighty confident. However, having only contested just one MLS Wild Card match (2023) before, game one will be Charlotte FC’s first playoff game proper. Sure, Orlando City SC have the most wins (10) and most points (31) in MLS since July 1, making us Major League Soccer’s most in-form team heading into the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs. But we all know about the elephant in the room!

Rash decisions, hot-headedness, and allowing our emotions to get the better of us in the playoffs when it’s previously mattered most. Believe me; I’m still haunted by Mauricio Pereyra’s 2020 red card against New England Revolution and Rodrigo Schlegel’s 2023 red card against Columbus Crew, and not just because it’s almost Halloween! Orlando City SC really need to prove they’ve truly learned from these past mistakes. Ultimately, Orlando City SC supporters will not tolerate overly reckless or kamikaze performances, both individually and collectively, this time around. It’s time to show we’re #AllTeeth, and deliver that elusive MLS Cup that our city demands and craves. Let’s do this thing. Vamos Orlando! Continue reading →

Twitter reacts to… Orlando City SC’s crushing 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs defeat to Columbus Crew

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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 0-2 home defeat to Columbus Crew last night in the Eastern Conference Semi-Final stage of the 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs.

With #HuntingSeason now officially over, our crushing defeat stings on so many levels and not just for the simple fact that we had Crew’s number during the regular season, yet fell to the Ohio side in the post-season when it truly mattered most. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs Columbus Crew – 25.11.2023

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Impressively only requiring two games, not three, to overcome Nashville SC in the Round One Best-of-3 series in the 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs, Oscar Pareja‘s Orlando City SC are now set to contest their second ever Eastern Conference Semi-Final. Now reverting back to a single elimination format, just two games separate the Lions from 2023 MLS Cup itself, the holy grail fixture that may yet be hosted at Exploria Stadium, barring overall number one seed FC Cincinnati reaching this stage of course.

Now hosting overall number three seed Columbus Crew, qualifying from their own Best-of-3 series after a game three win (4-2) over Atlanta United on November 12, Orlando City SC drew 1-1 and won 4-3 against Wilfried Nancy’s Crew side in the MLS regular season. Considering the Ohio side had to contest a third game in Round One compared to the Lions, City have enjoyed more rest regardless of the recent international break, something that we hope provides us some form of advantage in our biggest MLS game since our Eastern Conference Semi-Final defeat to New England Revolution (1-3) back in November 2020. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Nashville SC vs Orlando City SC – 07.11.2023

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After defeating Nashville SC 1-0 in game one of the Round One Best-of-3 series in the 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs, Oscar Pareja‘s Orlando City SC now visit GEODIS Park to take on the Music City side in game two – quite simply the Lions’ biggest game of the season so far.

Recording our first ever playoffs win in regulation time on Monday, the Lions now visit Tennessee with a chance to punch our ticket to the Eastern Conference Semi-Final stage. To progress, Orlando City SC will need to play with the same confidence, maturity, and strong game management they impressively showcased in game one. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs Nashville SC – 30.10.2023

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After all the thrills and spills of a MLS regular season that saw Orlando City SC win more games than ever before (18) and achieve their highest all-time single-season points tally (63) – finishing a mightily impressive second in the 2023 Supporters’ Shield despite having the lowest salary spend of all – it’s now time for the agony and the ecstasy of the post-season.

City now face the side that finished seventh in the East, Nashville SC, at Exploria Stadium in game one of the newly revamped Round One Best-of-3 series of the 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs. The Lions have crucially secured home field advantage in this round courtesy of our Eastern Conference top four seeding (number two overall in MLS). Continue reading →

The revamped 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs explained: Orlando City SC edition

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If you didn’t know already, the Major League Soccer post-season will work a little differently than we’re all used to this year.

Join us as we simplify the revamped 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs, its format changes, and how Orlando City SC can plot their quest to MLS Cup glory. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: CF Montréal vs Orlando City SC – 16.10.2022

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After the agony and ecstasy of a 2022 MLS regular season that had more twists and turns than the VelociCoaster at Universal Studios, Orlando City SC have finally qualified for the 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs!

Finishing seventh in the East and clinching our spot by virtue of a dramatic 2-1 comeback win over Columbus Crew on 2022 MLS Decision Day, Oscar Pareja has successfully guided City to the playoffs for all three of his seasons in charge. Continue reading →