César Araújo

STATS PREVIEW: Inter Miami vs Orlando City SC – 02.08.2023

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Orlando City SC will face the world’s greatest ever player Lionel Messi in their next club fixture. A wild sentence that seemed implausible a few years ago, that is the reality with City now visiting Florida rivals Inter Miami in the 2023 Leagues Cup Round of 32.

Qualifying from our “South 2” group to the knockout stage courtesy of home triumphs over Houston Dynamo (1-1 at full-time, 5-4 on penalties) and Santos Laguna (3-2), Orlando City SC probably couldn’t have faced a tougher MLS opponent right now – such has been the relentless nature of Messi’s start to life in South Florida. Continue reading →

Twitter reacts to… Orlando City SC re-signing Júnior Urso

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Exactly a week since Orlando City SC supporters were treated to clips of Júnior Urso revisiting Osceola Heritage Park and embracing Oscar Pareja, the Lions yesterday announced the re-signing of the 34-year-old fan favourite on a contract through the end of the 2023 season – with a club option in 2024.

A surprise, yet hugely popular mid-season addition to our 2023 roster, it’s been 251 days since Júnior Urso mutually terminated his contract with City, reluctantly returning to Brazil – and Coritiba – due to personal reasons. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Atlanta United vs Orlando City SC – 15.07.2023

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Emphatically defeated 4-0 at Real Salt Lake, Oscar Pareja‘s Orlando City SC must pick themselves up quick for another road test – this time against fierce rivals Atlanta United at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Each regular season, this is the away game many Orlando City SC supporters want to win the most with the Lions having only won once in Georgia in eight separate attempts. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Real Salt Lake vs Orlando City SC – 08.07.2023

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Even before the post-match Exploria Stadium fireworks show to commemorate July 4, Orlando City SC celebrated Independence Day with a bang by emphatically defeating Toronto FC 4-0.

Registering two home victories in a row and only losing one of our last eleven MLS fixtures, Oscar Pareja‘s upwardly mobile Lions now face a tough three-game road streak in MLS, sandwiched by at least two ties in the 2023 Leagues Cup. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs Atlanta United – 27.05.2023

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Boy, that Inter Miami victory was sweet, right? Producing a much improved display to deservedly defeat Florida rivals Inter Miami 1-3, MLS Rivalry Week was one to remember. Especially for our loyal travelling band of City supporters at DRV PNK Stadium.

Rivalry victories hit different and Orlando City SC now have another great opportunity to help our supporters forget our early season struggles. With fellow fierce rivals Atlanta United in town, City should now be relishing the visit of The Five Stripes. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: CF Montréal vs Orlando City SC – 06.05.2023

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Desperately searching for not only a positive result but performance in an inconsistent 2023 campaign, Orlando City SC achieved both against LA Galaxy last weekend.

Just the tonic we needed, Oscar Pareja’s Lions prevailed 2-0 with Designated Players Ercan Kara and Facundo Torres scoring in a satisfying, convincing display. 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 FC Cincinnati – 04.03.2023

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Defeating New York Red Bulls 1-0 to start our 2023 MLS campaign with all three points, Orlando City SC now face FC Cincinnati in a second successive home fixture.

Now undefeated in nine MLS opening fixtures, last Saturday’s win wasn’t perfect, far from it, but was gutsy all the same with Oscar Pareja‘s Lions earning a satisfying clean sheet against a notoriously difficult opponent. Continue reading →

Twitter reacts to… Orlando City SC’s 2022 end-of-season roster update

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Today, Orlando City SC officially announced their updated first team roster following the end of the 2022 Major League Soccer campaign.

The first comprehensive evidence as to who is staying, potentially remaining and departing Exploria Stadium before 2023, just two players were named in the ‘option declined’ column. 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 →