Black and Red

STATS PREVIEW: New England Revolution vs Orlando City SC – 13.07.2024

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Could the tide finally be turning? Maybe, just maybe after Orlando City SC emphatically thrashed D.C. United 5-0 at Inter&Co Stadium last Saturday. Just our seventh MLS victory of 2024, it was crucially the first time we’ve achieved back-to-back wins all season.

Completing a 2024 sweep over D.C. United, Orlando City SC ruthlessly punished Troy Lesesne’s poor side and climbed three places into seventh in the East – the coveted final automatic qualification spot for the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs.

Form and consistency is what will earn us a place in the post-season and having now achieved crucial must-win victories over Toronto FC and D.C. United, the Lions must now continue in this vein to put some distance between ourselves and the chasing pack in a tight and congested Eastern Conference.

As for Saturday’s opponents New England Revolution, Orlando City SC have NEVER won in eight MLS visits to Gillette Stadium and its artificial turf! However, Caleb Porter’s side come into this game scarred by a 2-0 long-haul defeat at Seattle Sounders last weekend. With Jordan Morris and Albert Rusnák grabbing the goals at Lumen Field, this was only the second defeat Revs have suffered in seven having won four straight MLS games in June. Right now, Revs are twelfth in the East, five points adrift of Orlando City SC. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs D.C. United – 06.07.2024

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We are finally back to winning ways and not a moment too soon! In a must-win game under pressure, Orlando City SC came from behind to defeat Toronto FC 1-2 at BMO Field yesterday evening. Just as City supporters were getting that sinking feeling again following Derrick Etienne Jr.’s early fifth minute opener, the Lions bounced back with a Martín Ojeda equaliser and a Nicksoen Gomis own goal.

This result, coupled with Atlanta United’s 2-1 loss to New England Revolution last night means that Orlando City SC have now climbed level on points (21) with both Toronto FC and The Five Stripes. With TFC having played one more game (22) than City and Atlanta, the Lions are currently placed tenth in the Eastern Conference, just outside the MLS Wild Card match qualification slots by goal difference. Fortunately, we still have 13 regular season games remaining to right the ship, climb the standings, and seal an automatic qualification spot for the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs.

Now hosting D.C. United after two quick-fire road games, City urgently need to improve their home form and turn Inter&Co Stadium back into a fortress as we head down the stretch. If we play to our potential, we should be able to defeat D.C. too. After all, Troy Lesesne’s side are currently bottom of the Eastern Conference (20 points) after suffering a nine-game winless streak, losing six times in this poor run. D.C.’s most recent defeat came last night at Audi Field where they lost 2-3 to FC Cincinnati. Both Christian Benteke and Troy Lesesne were absent due to one-game suspensions too.

Saturday’s game against D.C. will also see Orlando City SC honour Brazilian icon and the team’s first captain, Kaká, as the first-ever Legends’ Terrace inductee. As part of the Lions’ 10th season in Major League Soccer, the 2002 FIFA World Cup winner and 2007 Ballon d’Or winner will be celebrated at Legends Night: Kaká, a theme night where Kaká will be inducted in front of City supporters in a post-game ceremony. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs D.C. United – 22.04.2023

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After lots of bye week deliberation time following our 1-2 Nashville SC defeat on April 1, Oscar Pareja‘s Orlando City SC bounced back with a much-needed 1-2 road victory at Minnesota United last Saturday.

Achieving a comeback win against legendary former City head coach Adrian Heath, second-half goals from Iván Angulo and Duncan McGuire sealed a super satisfying victory at Allianz Field. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs Charlotte FC – 18.03.2023

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Still undefeated after Gameweek 3 of the 2023 MLS season, Orlando City SC now face Charlotte FC at Exploria Stadium after achieving a 1-1 draw at D.C. United last weekend.

Downbeat however after narrowly being eliminated (on away goals) by Tigres UANL in the 2023 CONCACAF Champions League on Wednesday, this is a great chance to bounce back and put crucial Eastern Conference points on the board early in the season. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: D.C. United vs Orlando City SC – 11.03.2023

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Just four days after visiting Mexico for our CONCACAF Champions League debut against Tigres UANL, Orlando City SC are back in Major League Soccer action for our first domestic road trip of 2023.

Visiting Audi Field to take on D.C. United, Oscar Pareja‘s Lions will attempt to banish the Wayne Rooney curse, with the Englishman enjoying much personal success against City as a player and now head coach. 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: D.C. United vs Orlando City SC – 31.07.2022

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After a tired 0-1 home loss to Philadelphia Union, but a triumphant 5-1 win over New York Red Bulls in the 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup semi-final, Orlando City SC now conclude a busy July by visiting D.C. United for Wayne Rooney’s first game in charge.

Currently fifth in the Eastern Conference but perilously just two points above the red line, Orlando City SC have failed to put winning streaks together all season long. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Colorado Rapids vs Orlando City SC – 13.07.2022

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Not only overcoming Florida rivals Inter Miami 1-0 on Saturday, Orlando City SC also overcame a rain delay of over two hours to arrest a two-game losing streak in MLS.

Kick-off was originally scheduled for 8:05pm. But the game started at 10:25pm local time, crazily spanning both Saturday evening and the early hours of Sunday morning. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: FC Cincinnati vs Orlando City SC – 16.10.2021

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After Daryl Dike‘s amazing last gasp stoppage time winner against D.C. United (2-1), Orlando City SC visit FC Cincinnati to start the six-game run in following the international break.

Orlando City SC‘s first victory in SIX MLS fixtures, the October 2 win over D.C. United propelled the Lions back into fourth place and two points clear of the red line prior to recent World Cup Qualifiers. Continue reading →