STATS PREVIEW: Columbus Crew vs Orlando City SC – 21.09.2024

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Last night, Orlando City SC earned yet another important victory, defeating Charlotte FC 2-0 at Inter&Co Stadium to continue our impressive form with a third consecutive home shutout. This crucial win propelled the Lions into fourth place in the Eastern Conference – our highest position all season – and extended our hopes of home field advantage in the Round One Best-of-3 Series of the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs.

Building on the momentum from recent home wins over Nashville SC (3-0) and New England Revolution (3-0), Facundo Torres netted his 12th goal of the MLS regular season with a sublime finish early in the second-half, followed by a composed chip from Duncan McGuire in the dying minutes. The match marked Orlando City SC’s first victory over Charlotte FC in five meetings and showcased the Lions’ growing defensive resilience and attacking precision.

Orlando City SC head into Saturday’s clash with 2023 MLS Cup and 2024 Leagues Cup champions Columbus Crew full of confidence, having leapfrogged New York Red Bulls into fourth place, though level on points (43) with the New Jersey side. However, the road trip to Lower.com Field won’t be easy. Facing Wilfried Nancy’s formidable side, widely regarded as the best-coached team in MLS, Oscar Pareja’s Lions will be without the suspended César Araújo.

With both teams in strong form with playoff positions at stake, this encounter promises to be a significant test of Orlando City SC’s late-season push. Right now, Lower.com Field is THE ultimate acid test among MLS fortresses and this game will examine how City might fare against top-quality opposition in the post-season. Crew enter this game fresh off a 0-2 win at Toronto FC last night, though they lost their last home match 0-4 to Seattle Sounders on September 7. That result, however, came with an asterisk. Crew were shorthanded due to international call-ups and with no goalkeeper on the bench, Sean Zawadzki had to play in net for the entire second-half after Abraham Romero’s red card in first-half stoppage time. Continue reading

STATS PREVIEW: Chicago Fire vs Orlando City SC – 29.05.2024

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After a disappointing 0-2 defeat to Columbus Crew, Oscar Pareja’s Orlando City SC hit the road to take on Chicago Fire for the first time this MLS season.

Eager to quickly erase our memories of the Crew loss, the Lions visit Soldier Field this Wednesday encouraged by the fact that Chicago Fire are winless in their last eight MLS fixtures.

On Saturday, Frank Klopas’ side rescued a 1-1 draw at D.C. United after trailing in the first-half. They currently sit fourteenth in the Eastern Conference with just 11 points from 15 games. Continue reading

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs Columbus Crew – 25.05.2024

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After substitute Jack Lynn scored very late on to help Orlando City SC secure a precious 0-1 win at San Jose Earthquakes, Oscar Pareja’s Lions now return to Inter&Co Stadium to take on 2023 MLS Cup champions Columbus Crew.

The clubs’ first meeting since Crew painfully eliminated the Lions from the 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs, Wilfried Nancy’s side are currently placed seventh in the Eastern Conference with 21 points from 13 games played.

The 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup finalists come into this game upbeat after securing two back-to-back 1-3 MLS victories on the road, most recently at traditional rivals Chicago Fire last Saturday.

By the banks of Lake Michigan at Soldier Field, goals from Diego Rossi, Christian Ramirez, and Jacen Russell-Rowe sealed another away day victory for Crew after their 1-3 win at CF Montréal a game prior. Continue reading

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs Columbus Crew – 16.09.2023

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After making a huge statement with a 0-1 win at Eastern Conference topping FC Cincinnati on September 2, Oscar Pareja‘s Orlando City SC now face Wilfried Nancy’s Columbus Crew back at Exploria Stadium.

With FC Cincinnati going 20 consecutive home games unbeaten at TQL Stadium prior to City’s visit, not to mention being MLS Supporters’ Shield winners elect, snapping this streak with a gritty 0-1 result was mightily impressive. Continue reading

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs New York City FC – 17.05.2023

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After disappointing back-to-back away defeats to CF Montréal (MLS) and Charlotte FC (U.S. Open Cup), stopping the rot was key against Columbus Crew. Fortunately, Orlando City SC rallied to achieve an unlikely 2-2 comeback draw at Lower.com Field.

With two more MLS games coming fast, Oscar Pareja‘s Lions now face New York City FC at Exploria Stadium after a tough three-game road streak, buoyed by Duncan McGuire‘s stoppage time leveller from 2-0 down in Ohio. Continue reading

STATS PREVIEW: Columbus Crew vs Orlando City SC – 13.05.2023

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Failing at the first hurdle to defend our 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup title, Tuesday’s really poor 1-0 cup elimination to Charlotte FC compounded already strong feelings of Orlando City SC downheartedness.

Also defeated 2-0 at CF Montréal last Saturday, the Lions have now lost four of their eight MLS fixtures. Each loss has been followed by a win in a super inconsistent run under Oscar Pareja who is now fighting to keep his job. Continue reading

STATS PREVIEW: Atlanta United vs Orlando City SC – 29.08.2020

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After a morale boosting 3-1 win against Nashville SC, Oscar Pareja‘s Orlando City SC have no time to rest with a trip to Atlanta United on Saturday.

City travel to Mercedes-Benz Stadium looking for a first ever MLS victory over The Five Stripes at the ninth attempt. But lots has changed since the rivals’ last meeting. Continue reading

Orlando City SC exit: The curious case of Justin Meram

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Justin Meram’s difficult spell with Orlando City SC is over. The 29-year-old was officially traded back to Columbus Crew yesterday in exchange for $750,000 in Targeted Allocation Money and a 2019 international roster spot.

The deal, in isolation, is very good business for Orlando City SC. Continue reading

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs Atlanta United – 13.05.2018

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Securing a record breaking sixth straight MLS victory last weekend, Orlando City SC now face their toughest test yet – an eagerly anticipated visit from rivals Atlanta United.

Following our 3-1 victory over Real Salt Lake, spirits are high in Central Florida right now and Jason Kreis‘ Lions will be eager to extend their winning run against a side City fans love to loathe! Continue reading

STATS PREVIEW: Portland Timbers vs Orlando City SC – 24.09.2017

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With just five 2017 regular season fixtures remaining, the rest of Orlando City SC‘s season is all about keeping pride intact.

Drawing 3-3 at Atlanta United last weekend in one of the most entertaining MLS games all season, Jason Kreis’ side now make the long trip to Oregon to face Portland Timbers. Continue reading