FC Dallas

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs Philadelphia Union – 02.10.2024

/ Taylor Williams / Leave a comment

Embed from Getty Images

On Saturday, Orlando City SC showcased their resilience, bouncing back from our 4-3 defeat at Columbus Crew with an impressive 1-3 victory at FC Dallas. This win not only secured the Lions’ place in the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs. It also marked the fifth consecutive season that Oscar Pareja has successfully guided Orlando City SC into the post-season – an accomplishment achieved every single year under his leadership! Truly, his track record speaks volumes, and it’s moments like these that remind us just how valuable his experience and vision have been.

Beyond this milestone, the victory was also historic, as it represented the first-ever time that Orlando City SC have won (and scored) away at FC Dallas. Goals from Ramiro Enrique, Rodrigo Schlegel, and Facundo Torres ensured a memorable night in Frisco, Texas. Ultimately, it was a performance that showcased both the depth and determination of the squad, underlining our intent to make a deep run in this year’s playoffs.

City currently sit fourth in the Eastern Conference with 46 points from 31 games played. For now, the Lions have reclaimed that all-important home field advantage for the Round One Best-of-3 Series in the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs. However, with teams like New York City FC and New York Red Bulls still hot on our heels, our final three MLS regular season fixtures will be crucial. As Orlando City SC continue their quest for a top four finish, Pareja’s proven leadership will be more essential than ever.

As for Wednesday’s opponents Philadelphia Union, they’ve had a surprisingly underwhelming 2024 season by their usual high standards. Currently playing catch-up, they sit ninth in the Eastern Conference and occupy the final MLS Wild Card match slot, but only by goal difference. Jim Curtin’s side arrive at Inter&Co Stadium following a 1-1 draw with Atlanta United on Saturday where Saba Lobjanidze’s equaliser cancelled out Nathan Harriel’s well-taken opener. This was Union’s first draw in eight MLS games, but they’ve still managed to win five of their last eight in a late push for the playoffs.

Given Oscar Pareja’s combined 20 years at FC Dallas as a player, assistant coach, and head coach, Toyota Stadium was a special venue for Papi to secure post-season qualification with his new passion, Orlando City SC. By clinching our spot in the 2024 MLS Cup playoffs, Orlando City SC have become one of just three active MLS teams to reach the post-season in five consecutive seasons. I mean, should we ever doubt Papi in the regular season? With this mission accomplished, our focus now shifts to sealing a top four finish and building confidence ahead of another post-season challenge. In past years, rash decisions, hot-headedness, and red cards have been our downfall, so all eyes will be on Orlando City SC to see if we’ve truly learned from previous shortcomings in the playoffs. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: FC Dallas vs Orlando City SC – 28.09.2024

/ Taylor Williams / Leave a comment

Embed from Getty Images

Last Saturday, Orlando City SC suffered a 4-3 defeat at Columbus Crew, ending the Lions’ three-game winning streak in dramatic fashion. Despite a spirited comeback from 3-0 down, individual errors proved costly, causing Oscar Pareja’s men to lose ground in our pursuit of a fifth consecutive MLS Cup Playoffs appearance.

The defeat means Orlando City SC remain on 43 points in a tightly congested Eastern Conference. Goals from Diego Rossi, Christian Ramirez, and Cucho Hernández put Crew 3-0 up at at Lower.com Field. Then late goals from Ramiro Enrique, Luis Muriel, Aziel Jackson, and Muriel (again) saw City fall just short in Ohio.

Now visiting FC Dallas for the first time since September 2020, Orlando City SC will look to bounce back, knowing that a win will officially clinch our spot in the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs. With City currently fifth in the Eastern Conference, our push for a top four finish is still within reach too, though last weekend’s setback means the pressure is mounting.

As for FC Dallas, they are fighting for a playoff spot themselves in the Western Conference. Coming off a morale-boosting 3-1 victory over Los Angeles FC, who were gearing up for the 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final, this win marked Toros’ first in their last four MLS fixtures (1-1-2). As such, this game promises to be another stern examination of Orlando City SC’s resilience and adaptability. Right now, every point is vital as we enter the final stretch of the MLS regular season. A strong performance in Frisco could be the catalyst needed to reignite our top four and post-season hopes.

Saturday’s visit to Toyota Stadium will also be a reunion for both Oscar Pareja and Luiz Muzzi. Both are very familiar with the venue after many successful years working together at the Texan club. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Nashville SC vs Orlando City SC – 17.07.2024

/ Taylor Williams / Leave a comment

Embed from Getty Images

Our Gillette Stadium curse is over! Failing to win any of our previous eight MLS games in Foxborough, Orlando City SC have now finally defeated New England Revolution away after securing a 1-3 comeback victory on Saturday night. Our fourth win in five MLS games and the first time we’ve achieved three consecutive victories since September / October 2023, the Lions appear to be coming good when it matters!

After a lacklustre first-half performance at Revs, whatever Oscar Pareja said at half-time had the desired effect! With Orlando City SC coming out re-energised, refocused, and determined to leave Massachusetts with all three points, we laughed in the face of the artificial turf and hit back three times after entering the break 1-0 down.

Staying on the road, City now visit Tennessee for a Wednesday night showdown with Nashville SC at GEODIS Park. The clubs’ first MLS meeting since the Lions dumped Nashville SC out of the 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs, the Music City side will be out for revenge. That said, Nashville SC are on the slide having lost their last four consecutive MLS fixtures, including a 2-1 defeat at D.C. United on Saturday night.

As for Orlando City SC, we’re not only craving a fourth straight victory. We’re now looking for as much momentum as possible as we look to reel in sixth-placed Charlotte FC while solidifying our place in the automatic qualification spots for the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs D.C. United – 06.07.2024

/ Taylor Williams / Leave a comment

Embed from Getty Images

We are finally back to winning ways and not a moment too soon! In a must-win game under pressure, Orlando City SC came from behind to defeat Toronto FC 1-2 at BMO Field yesterday evening. Just as City supporters were getting that sinking feeling again following Derrick Etienne Jr.’s early fifth minute opener, the Lions bounced back with a Martín Ojeda equaliser and a Nicksoen Gomis own goal.

This result, coupled with Atlanta United’s 2-1 loss to New England Revolution last night means that Orlando City SC have now climbed level on points (21) with both Toronto FC and The Five Stripes. With TFC having played one more game (22) than City and Atlanta, the Lions are currently placed tenth in the Eastern Conference, just outside the MLS Wild Card match qualification slots by goal difference. Fortunately, we still have 13 regular season games remaining to right the ship, climb the standings, and seal an automatic qualification spot for the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs.

Now hosting D.C. United after two quick-fire road games, City urgently need to improve their home form and turn Inter&Co Stadium back into a fortress as we head down the stretch. If we play to our potential, we should be able to defeat D.C. too. After all, Troy Lesesne’s side are currently bottom of the Eastern Conference (20 points) after suffering a nine-game winless streak, losing six times in this poor run. D.C.’s most recent defeat came last night at Audi Field where they lost 2-3 to FC Cincinnati. Both Christian Benteke and Troy Lesesne were absent due to one-game suspensions too.

Saturday’s game against D.C. will also see Orlando City SC honour Brazilian icon and the team’s first captain, Kaká, as the first-ever Legends’ Terrace inductee. As part of the Lions’ 10th season in Major League Soccer, the 2002 FIFA World Cup winner and 2007 Ballon d’Or winner will be celebrated at Legends Night: Kaká, a theme night where Kaká will be inducted in front of City supporters in a post-game ceremony. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Chicago Fire vs Orlando City SC – 29.05.2024

/ Taylor Williams / Leave a comment

Embed from Getty Images

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: San Jose Earthquakes vs Orlando City SC – 18.05.2024

/ Taylor Williams / Leave a comment

Embed from Getty Images

Battling hard to a 0-0 draw against Inter Miami on Wednesday, Oscar Pareja’s Orlando City SC now fly northwest to contest their furthest MLS away game of 2024 – San Jose Earthquakes at PayPal Park.

Our first MLS visit to Northern California since August 2019, Quakes have been resurgent in recent weeks, showing character to defeat Los Angeles FC (3-1) and Colorado Rapids (2-3) to arrest their horror start to the year in the Western Conference.

Nevertheless, Luchi Gonzalez’s side come into this game gutted and downbeat after painfully throwing away a 0-2 lead at Portland Timbers on Wednesday. Losing 4-2 in the end, the entire momentum of the game switched after Quakes centre back Bruno Wilson received a red card for a goal-line handball in his own box on 72 minutes, conceding an untimely penalty in turn.

From here, Timbers ruthlessly made their one-man advantage count with Evander’s resulting penalty (74), Jonathan Rodríguez (80), a Felipe Mora penalty (90), and a second goal of the night from Jonathan Rodríguez (90+10) stealing away all three points for Phil Neville’s men, breaking Quakes hearts in the process. Continue reading →

Twitter reacts to… the 2024 Orlando City SC Adidas One Planet pre-match top

/ Taylor Williams / Leave a comment

To commemorate #EarthWeek later this April, Orlando City SC players will be warming up in a special Adidas One Planet pre-match top – made with 100% recycled Parley Ocean Plastic™.

Unlike previous MLS seasons, these awareness raising kits will only be worn as a pre-match top for warm-ups and not in competition like they were in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, and 2023. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs New York Red Bulls – 30.03.2024

/ Taylor Williams / Leave a comment

Embed from Getty Images

Finally sealing our first MLS win of the season with a deserved 2-0 victory against Austin FC, Oscar Pareja‘s Orlando City SC now contest a second successive home game at Inter&Co Stadium, this time against New York Red Bulls.

Currently third in the Eastern Conference on 10 points, Sandro Schwarz’s Red Bulls come into this game extremely confident after annihilating a Lionel Messi-less Inter Miami 4-0 at Red Bull Arena last weekend. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs Austin FC – 23.03.2024

/ Taylor Williams / Leave a comment

Embed from Getty Images

After losing 2-0 at fierce rivals Atlanta United, Oscar Pareja‘s Orlando City SC now return to Central Florida to welcome Austin FC to Inter&Co Stadium for the very first time in MLS.

Down in the dumps right now, the Lions are winless in four MLS games, scoreless in three, and currently second bottom in the Eastern Conference in what has truly been a nightmare start to 2024. Continue reading →

Twitter reacts to… Luiz Muzzi and Ricardo Moreira’s Orlando City SC contract renewals

/ Taylor Williams / Leave a comment

(Credit: Orlando City SC)

Probably more important than any on-field signing Orlando City SC could have made this off-season, the Lions have crucially retained the services of dynamic Brazilian duo Luiz Muzzi and Ricardo Moreira who have each signed new two-year contracts through 2025 at Inter&Co Stadium yesterday.

Executive Vice President of Soccer Operations and General Manager Luiz Muzzi, and Technical Director Ricardo Moreira were last promoted back in January 2022 and have each played a pivotal role in City’s player recruitment and subsequent upward trajectory since being hired ahead of the 2019 season – moves that saw Moreira join from Columbus Crew and Muzzi reunite with Oscar Pareja after working together at FC Dallas. Continue reading →