Eastern Conference Final

STATS PREVIEW: Inter Miami vs Orlando City SC – 18.05.2025

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TEN games unbeaten sounds much better after a win, right? Orlando City SC found their spark on Wednesday with a convincing 3-1 victory over Charlotte FC, snapping a frustrating run of five draws in six. It was the kind of complete display Oscar Pareja has been demanding — and just in time.

Because next up? It’s Inter Miami away in the first Sunshine Clásico of 2025! Not just any fixture, this is our first ‘Sunday Night Soccer’ appearance of the season, with all eyes on Chase Stadium. As painful as it is to recall, we were thrashed 5-0 there last March. So, this time, we have to do ourselves justice! At the end of the day, real heart, fight, and passion is non-negotiable in MLS Rivalry Week. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs Atlanta United – 26.04.2025

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We couldn’t stop scoring in our first six MLS games – now it’s three without a goal. Football’s a funny old game! Orlando City SC may have extended their unbeaten streak to six matches (2-4-0), but last Saturday’s 0-0 draw at CF Montréal felt just as frustrating as our stalemate against New York Red Bulls. Following our third straight scoreless outing and Rafael Santos’ red card, Oscar Pareja’s Lions return to Inter&Co Stadium to face fierce rivals Atlanta United in a matchup that’s always action-packed.

Still reeling from last Saturday’s 3-0 defeat at 10-man Philadelphia Union – and last season’s Eastern Conference Semi-Final exit at our hands – Atlanta will be out for revenge. But while they’ve spent big – dropping a league-record $22 million on Emmanuel Latte Lath – their results have fallen well short of expectations. With both teams desperate for goals and momentum, another fiery edition of this Florida-Georgia feud awaits. Continue reading →

Twitter reacts to… Oscar Pareja’s new Orlando City SC contract through 2028

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After guiding Orlando City SC to the MLS Cup Playoffs for five consecutive seasons, the hugely popular Oscar Pareja signed a new three-year deal yesterday. Penning his last contract extension in December 2023, this new deal keeps our winningest head coach in club history at Inter&Co Stadium until at least the end of 2028.

Over his five-and-a-bit years in Central Florida, the 56-year-old Colombian has successfully turned around the Lions’ losing culture in Major League Soccer. His impact was clear last season, when City reached their first-ever Eastern Conference Final. Although we suffered a heartbreaking 0-1 loss to New York Red Bulls, we came within touching distance of our first-ever MLS Cup. That narrow defeat has only fuelled our hunger and determination to go one better this year – and bring the Philip F. Anschutz Trophy home.

So far, the man affectionately known as Papi has built a genuine brotherhood in the City locker room. That bond paid off three years ago when Orlando City SC defeated Sacramento Republic 3-0 at Inter&Co Stadium to win the 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final – our first major title as an MLS club. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs New York Red Bulls – 12.04.2025

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Orlando City SC showed grit and growth last Saturday, grinding out a hard-earned 0-0 draw at Philadelphia Union to claim our first clean sheet of 2025. Despite key midfielders César Araújo and Eduard Atuesta being unavailable, the Lions rallied to extend their unbeaten run to four games (2-2-0).

Now back on home turf and buoyed by a strong defensive display, City will look to keep the momentum rolling against familiar foes. Just four MLS games ago, Orlando City SC and New York Red Bulls played out a 2-2 draw in Harrison, New Jersey, and with last season’s bitter Eastern Conference Final loss still fresh, this one carries extra edge. Both sides come into the contest in good form. Red Bulls are fresh off a 2-1 win over in-form Chicago Fire, while City are looking more solid and settled with each passing game. Another step forward here could keep the Lions firmly in the playoff mix, albeit at this early stage of the season. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: New York Red Bulls vs Orlando City SC – 15.03.2025

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Just a week on from our frustrating 2-1 defeat at New York City FC, Orlando City SC now head across the Hudson River to face their rivals, New York Red Bulls, at the renamed Sports Illustrated Stadium. This marks the clubs’ first meeting since last season’s painful Eastern Conference Final, where Red Bulls ended our 2024 MLS Cup dreams.

City enter this one still searching for defensive solidity, having conceded eight goals in three games. Despite some encouraging signs at Yankee Stadium, self-inflicted mistakes proved costly again. Now, with captain Robin Jansson back, the Lions will be desperate to tighten up, make a statement, and most importantly, take revenge. As for Red Bulls, they drew 0-0 at Atlanta United last Saturday following a 1-0 loss at FC Cincinnati and a 2-0 win over Nashville SC. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs Philadelphia Union – 22.02.2025

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After a short, breathless, and exciting off-season of refreshment, anticipation fills the air as Oscar Pareja’s Orlando City SC kick off the 2025 Major League Soccer campaign.

Starting at home for an eleventh consecutive MLS season, City open against Philadelphia Union for the first time after our crushing 2024 Eastern Conference Final defeat to New York Red Bulls back in November. Continue reading →

Who is Orlando City SC’s incoming signing Nicolás Rodríguez?

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(Credit: Transfermarkt)

After a very slow start, the Lions’ winter recruitment drive is finally gathering momentum. Thank heavens! In the early hours of this morning, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano tweeted that Orlando City SC are “closing in on deal for Colombian 20-year-old talent Nicolás Rodríguez from Fortaleza”.

Shortly after Romano’s tweet, Tom Bogert corroborated the news, tweeting “Orlando City finalizing deal to sign Colombia winger Nico Rodríguez from Fortaleza” while confirming that Rodríguez will join via Major League Soccer’s U22 Initiative.

Bogert also mentioned that Colombian journalist Pipe Sierra (@PSierraR) was the first to break the news. Sierra cited himself that Orlando City SC had beat off competition from Colombian side Millonarios to sign Nicolás Rodríguez. Not only them but also New York Red Bulls with Tiago Brandão (@Tiagobrandao_8) confirming that our 2024 Eastern Conference Final conquerers tried to sign Rodríguez too. Continue reading →

Club América reject Orlando City SC bid for Alejandro Zendejas

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In a disappointing setback for Orlando City SC, Tom Bogert reported last night that Club América have rejected a bid from the Lions for USMNT winger Alejandro Zendejas.

According to sources speaking to GiveMeSport, this stalled negotiation comes as Club América face uncertainty over the future of their head coach André Jardine. With Jardine heavily linked to Brazilian club Botafogo, the Mexican champions are prioritising their own stability before entertaining transfer moves. Continue reading →

Orlando City SC agree terms with Palmeiras over Facundo Torres transfer

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In a major development, North American transfer expert Tom Bogert has reported tonight that Orlando City SC and Brazilian giants Palmeiras have reached an agreement for the transfer of Uruguay international Facundo Torres.

Bogert’s report for GiveMeSport states that the transfer is pending finalisation of personal terms between Torres and Palmeiras.

If completed, the deal would mark a club record outbound transfer for the Lions, surpassing the $9.5 million fee received for Daryl Dike’s move to West Bromwich Albion in January 2022. Continue reading →

Winners revealed in Orlando City UK’s 2024 end-of-season awards

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This past week, we asked Orlando City SC supporters on X to select their Orlando City SC Player of the Year, Young Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year for 2024 as part of our annual Orlando City UK end-of-season awards.

A public vote designed to recognise the standout Orlando City SC players in our promising, yet ultimately unfruitful 2024 campaign, we can now proudly reveal the winners as voted by you! Continue reading →