A quick word on *that* Inter Miami defeat before we all move on…

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Before we begin, Orlando City SC‘s 3-1 defeat to Inter Miami in the 2023 Leagues Cup on Wednesday evening was bitterly disappointing for players and supporters alike. Disappointing because ever since our 2011 founding, the club have long enjoyed a love affair with cup competitions, none greater than last season’s victorious 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup triumph – our first title in our MLS era.

A rivalry fixture – with state bragging rights at stake – it’s always gutting losing , especially in knockout competition in enemy territory, but genuine supporters accept these highs and lows as part and parcel of The Beautiful Game.

What I must admit though – and I reiterate that these opinions are the thoughts of Orlando City UK (Taylor Williams), not Orlando City SC – is that I had cynical feelings that our Inter Miami defeat would play out the way it did – and so it proved on a controversial night at DRV PNK Stadium. Continue reading

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

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs Santos Laguna – 12.08.2021

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This Thursday sees a break from MLS play with Orlando City SC facing Liga MX’s Santos Laguna in the quarter-final stage of the 2021 Leagues Cup.

Facing a non-MLS opponent for the first time within a regular campaign, it’s a huge occasion and a big opportunity to underline Orlando City SC on the global soccer map. Continue reading

66% of Lions fans would still take Alex Castro at Orlando City SC

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Thought the move was dead? It might not be just yet. Yesterday, Orlando City SC supporters learned that Cruz Azul dramatically pulled out of a swoop for Lions transfer target Alex Castro.

Last week alone, Castro claimed he wanted an Orlando City SC move with Oscar Pareja confirming the Lions’ interest before the player turned 180 degrees by opting to join Liga MX side Cruz Azul instead. Continue reading

Twitter reacts to… Yoshimar Yotún’s exit & Jhegson Méndez’s Orlando City SC arrival

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Undoubtedly a fan favourite with Orlando City SC supporters, the Yoshimar Yotún fanfare is now over with the much-loved Peruvian international joining Liga MX side Cruz Azul yesterday.

Fortunately for the Lions however, James O’Connor‘s side have moved quickly to sign a reinforcement in the form of Ecuador international midfielder Jhegson Méndez. Continue reading