2020 MLS Cup Playoffs

Twitter reacts to… Oscar Pareja’s new Orlando City SC contract through 2025

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“It’s done” as Frodo Baggins famously said in the Lord of the Rings! After guiding Orlando City SC to the MLS Cup Playoffs for four consecutive seasons, the hugely popular Oscar Pareja has now signed a new two-year deal, keeping our winningest head coach in club history at Exploria Stadium until at least the end of 2025.

During his four-year tenure in Central Florida, the 55-year-old Colombian has successfully turned around the Lions’ losing culture in Major League Soccer, so much so that City broke their own regular season records this year to finish runners-up to FC Cincinnati in the 2023 Supporters’ Shield despite having the lowest salary spend of all – a hugely impressive feat.

So far, the man affectionately known as Papi has built a genuine brotherhood in the City locker room, one that yielded silverware last year when Orlando City SC defeated Sacramento Republic 3-0 to win the 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final at Exploria Stadium – our first major title as an MLS club. 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: New York City FC vs Orlando City SC – 02.10.2022

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After recording our most emphatic MLS victory of 2022, a much-needed 4-0 win over Toronto FC prior to the international break, Orlando City SC now have three games left to finally seal qualification for the 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs.

Visiting New York City FC in our penultimate away fixture of the regular season, this game is being contested in Harrison, New Jersey at Red Bull Arena rather than NYCFC’s usual Yankee Stadium home. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs New York City FC – 28.08.2022

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In a rollercoaster ride of a season for Oscar Pareja‘s Orlando City SC, the Lions have started winning when it matters, achieving a much-needed 1-2 victory at Charlotte FC last Sunday.

Not only our second consecutive away win in MLS, our win at Bank of America Stadium is only the second time this season that City have achieved back-to-back league victories. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs New England Revolution – 06.08.2022

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There would’ve been a lot of head scratching on Orlando City SC‘s flight back from Dulles to McCoy after the Lions conceded two late stoppage time goals to fall 2-1 at D.C. United.

Now facing New England Revolution at Exploria Stadium, City have now only won one of their last 7 MLS games, perilously sitting above the red line by just a single point. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: New England Revolution vs Orlando City SC – 15.06.2022

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Losing 1-3 at home to FC Dallas prior to the league break, Oscar Pareja‘s Orlando City SC now visit New England Revolution as we edge towards the halfway point of the 2022 MLS regular season.

2021 Supporters’ Shield winners of course, Revs were a formidable opponent last season. However, they’ve surprisingly struggled this season, going 5-4-5 under Bruce Arena. Continue reading →

Orlando City UK celebrates our sixth birthday: 2021 round-up

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Orlando City UK celebrates our sixth birthday

Just where did all the time go? Today, we’re celebrating our sixth birthday here at Orlando City UK with our Official International Fan Club of Orlando City SC established six years ago.

After last season’s playoff heartbreak, Oscar Pareja has Orlando City SC in the post-season yet again with our loyal UK supporters still passionately supporting from the United Kingdom. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs New England Revolution – 24.10.2021

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Drawing 1-1 with CF Montréal on Wednesday, Orlando City SC now face New England Revolution in their penultimate home game of the season.

Five points clear of the red line right now, Oscar Pareja‘s side have just four regular season games to seal a 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs spot and a home game seeding. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: New England Revolution vs Orlando City SC – 25.09.2021

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Orlando City SC‘s 2021 campaign seems to be unravelling and at the worst possible time too. After a 3-1 loss at Philadelphia Union, qualification for the 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs is no longer a sure thing.

Not only defeated at Subaru Park (3-1), Antônio Carlos‘ late sending off means another suspension ahead of two tough away games, first at New England Revolution, and then Nashville SC. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs CF Montréal – 15.09.2021

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After a bitterly disappointing 3-0 loss at rivals Atlanta United, Orlando City SC must pick themselves up quickly for a home game with CF Montréal.

Out fought and out thought by The Five Stripes, Oscar Pareja‘s side were extremely flat and uncharacteristically lacked any urgency or quality at Mercedes-Benz Stadium last Friday. Continue reading →