2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final

Twitter reacts to… Palmeiras signing Facundo Torres from Orlando City SC

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After the heartbreak of our 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs exit on November 30, Orlando City SC fans face more sadness today, with Facundo Torres completing his $12 million + $2 million transfer to Brazilian giants Palmeiras.

In truth, City supporters have had nearly two whole weeks to digest Facu’s departure, especially after Palmeiras agreed terms with Facundo Torres on December 9 before Cruz Azul appeared set to hijack the move. But in the end, Verdão have got their man.

This transfer not only sets a new club record outbound fee for Orlando City SC, surpassing the $9.5 million West Bromwich Albion paid for Daryl Dike. It also sees City bid farewell to probably the greatest Lion of all-time! Continue reading →

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 →

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 →

Twitter reacts to… Orlando City SC selling Ercan Kara to Samsunspor

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Despite the fact Orlando City SC can no longer sign reinforcements with the MLS Secondary Transfer Window closing back on August 2, the Lions today sold Ercan Kara to Turkish Süper Lig side Samsunspor.

Opening up a Designated Player slot on the Lions’ roster ahead of the 2024 MLS campaign, the 27-year-old centre forward departs Exploria Stadium as a divisive figure who for some, City’s playing style inhibited, and for others, failed to live up to high expectations in his one-and-a-half seasons with the club. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Charlotte FC vs Orlando City SC – 09.05.2023

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Back on April 27, Orlando City SC were drawn against Charlotte FC at the Sportsplex at Matthews in this Round of 32 stage of the 2023 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

Bypassing the third round by virtue of triumphantly winning the 2022 Lamar U.S. Open Cup, six straight home victories saw City lift their first major silverware as an MLS club. With an away test up first this time around, there will be no home comforts as City attempt to defend their 2022 title. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Tigres UANL vs Orlando City SC – 07.03.2023

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Just two games into our new 2023 Major League Soccer campaign, Orlando City SC are now set to contest one of, if not arguably the biggest fixture in club history.

City visit Monterrey to face Liga MX giants Tigres UANL in the 2023 CONCACAF Champions League Round of 16. This first leg tie is City’s first ever appearance in North America’s premier club competition. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs New York Red Bulls – 25.02.2023

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After a critically acclaimed off-season of refreshment, anticipation fills the air as Oscar Pareja‘s Orlando City SC kick off the 2023 Major League Soccer campaign.

Starting at home for a ninth consecutive MLS season, City face New York Red Bulls after our 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs heartache at CF Montréal in October. Continue reading →

Orlando City UK celebrates our seventh birthday: 2022 round-up

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Wow, what an incredible 2022 we’ve had! Today, we’re celebrating our seventh birthday here at Orlando City UK with our Official International Fan Club of Orlando City SC established seven years ago.

In our eighth MLS season, 2022 was the year the Lions finally got their hands on their first major silverware. Triumphantly winning the 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, our loyal UK supporters keenly supported every step of the way from the United Kingdom. Continue reading →

Arsenal plotting January swoop for Orlando City SC star?

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At the start of Orlando City SC‘s off-season, there’s already a huge transfer rumour surfacing. Premier League giants Arsenal have today been linked with a January swoop for Facundo Torres.

The Evening Standard’s Simon Collings claims “the Gunners are due to hold talks with the Uruguayan international’s agent as they target a right winger to provide competition for Bukayo Saka.” Continue reading →

Winners revealed in Orlando City UK’s 2022 end-of-season awards

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This past week, we asked the Orlando City SC Twittersphere to select their Orlando City SC Player of the Year, Young Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year for 2022 as part of our annual Orlando City UK end-of-season awards.

A public vote designed to recognise the standout Orlando City SC players in our historic 2022 campaign, we can now proudly reveal the winners as voted by you! Continue reading →