STATS PREVIEW: Sporting Kansas City vs Orlando City SC – 24.08.2024

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Back on August 9, Orlando City SC suffered their first-ever penalty shootout defeat as an MLS club to Cruz Azul (4-5 on penalties – 0-0 at full-time) in the Round of 32 stage of the 2024 Leagues Cup. Having previously won nine consecutive shootouts over a nine-year span, Oscar Pareja’s Orlando City SC have had two full weeks to stew over their elimination. But now, the Lions return to MLS action with a cross-conference trip to Sporting Kansas City.

Prior to the league’s controversial one-month hiatus, the Lions drew 1-1 with New York City FC. This left us seventh in the Eastern Conference with 34 points, hanging onto the final automatic qualification spot for the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs. Right now, we are just three points behind sixth-placed Charlotte FC (37 points) and four points clear of eighth-placed Toronto FC (30 points) who have played one more game (26) than City.

With only nine regular season fixtures remaining, Orlando City SC entered the Leagues Cup break full of momentum and confidence, riding a five-game unbeaten streak. It’s crucial for the team to pick up where they left off to increase our distance from the red line and aim for a position higher than seventh, securing a more favourable Round One Best-of-3 series in the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs.

In exceptional form since July, Ramiro Enrique’s goal against New York City FC marked his fourth consecutive MLS game with a goal. This was before grabbing two more consecutive goals in the 2024 Leagues Cup – a prolific 6 in 6 streak which is now a new club record. Grabbing his big opportunity with both hands, Enrique’s goals made up for the absence of first-choice striker Duncan McGuire who was away with the USMNT U-23 side at the 2024 Summer Olympics.

As for Saturday’s opponents Sporting Kansas City, Peter Vermes’ side also bowed out of the 2024 Leagues Cup at the Round of 32 stage, losing 4-0 at Columbus Crew. SKC went into the tournament break having gone 2-2-1 in their last five MLS games, drawing 1-1 against St. Louis CITY SC last time out in the league. Continue reading

STATS PREVIEW: Sporting Kansas City vs Orlando City SC – 23.04.2021

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After drawing 0-0 with Atlanta United in our 2021 home opener, Oscar Pareja‘s Orlando City SC now fly west to face Sporting Kansas City at Children’s Mercy Park.

The first of just two regular season fixtures against Western Conference opposition, the Lions will be looking to maintain their unbeaten start. Continue reading

Orlando City SC’s complete 2021 MLS schedule finally revealed

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Following the release of Orlando City SC‘s first two 2021 Major League Soccer fixtures on March 10, Lions supporters have finally learned when each of their 32 other remaining fixtures will be played.

With all MLS franchises’ complete regular season schedules released today, televised games can now be circled and Lions supporters can start mapping out Orlando City SC‘s quest to reach the 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs. Continue reading

STATS PREVIEW: FC Dallas vs Orlando City SC – 27.09.2020

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After a fantastic 1-2 win at Sporting Kansas City on Wednesday, Oscar Pareja‘s Orlando City SC face another quick turnaround as they head to FC Dallas on Sunday.

Revisiting his beloved Frisco, Texas, Papi is a legend at Toyota Stadium after a glorious 19-year association with FC Dallas as a player then head coach. Continue reading

STATS PREVIEW: Sporting Kansas City vs Orlando City SC – 23.09.2020

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After thrashing Chicago Fire 4-1, Oscar Pareja‘s Orlando City SC hit the road for the first time in four games to face Western Conference high-flyers Sporting Kansas City.

Going 1-1-2 in four away games so far this season, this midweek visit to Children’s Mercy Park comes just four days before a Pareja reunion at FC Dallas. Continue reading

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs Sporting Kansas City – 14.08.2019

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Following Orlando City SC’s 1-1 draw at Toronto FC, more MLS action comes thick and fast with the Lions now facing their final double gameweek of 2019.

Now facing a must-win home test against Sporting Kansas City on Wednesday, another away day beckons at Adrian Heath‘s Minnesota United just three days later. Continue reading

STATS PREVIEW: Sporting Kansas City vs Orlando City SC – 08.09.2018

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Following Orlando City SC‘s 2-2 draw against Philadelphia Union, James O’Connor‘s Lions now head west to Missouri to take on Sporting Kansas City at Children’s Mercy Park.

A real tough looking fixture on paper, Peter Vermes’ side are enjoying a fantastic season and recently set a franchise-record shutout streak of four consecutive MLS clean sheets thanks to their 2-0 win over Minnesota United on August 25. Continue reading

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs Sporting Kansas City – 13.05.2017

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Orlando City SC received a big reality check in Gameweek 9 with Jason Kreis‘ Lions beaten twice in quick succession against Toronto FC (2-1) and then Houston Dynamo (4-0).

What looked a demanding two-game away streak on paper turned out that way but still boasting a 100% win record at Orlando City Stadium, Saturday’s home game with Sporting Kansas City provides a chance to bounce back. Continue reading

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs Montreal Impact – 21.05.2016

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Going down 2-1 on the road to Sporting Kansas City on Sunday, Orlando City SC are back at Camping World Stadium this weekend looking for all three points after going winless in six MLS fixtures.

Having last won a Major League Soccer game back at the start of April where Adrian Heath‘s Lions trounced Portland Timbers 4-1, City have slouched to eleventh position in the Eastern Conference. Continue reading

PLAYER RATINGS: Sporting Kansas City vs Orlando City SC – 15.05.16



The beginning of a new feature here at Orlando City UK and in association with our friends OCLionsFan, I individually rate the performances of Orlando City SC players from their most recent MLS fixture.

Unfortunately going down 2-1 away to Sporting Kansas City of the Western Conference yesterday, it’s now six Major League Soccer fixtures without victory for Adrian Heath‘s Lions. Continue reading