The MLS SuperDraft is the most exciting event in the lives of every young North American college soccer player.
With Rounds 1, 2 and 3 of the 2025 MLS SuperDraft getting underway this Friday (December 20), Orlando City UK took this moment to reflect on how Orlando City SC’s annual picks have fared since our inaugural 2015 season. Continue reading
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
Orlando City SC are primed and ready as we head into 2024 MLS Decision Day! Following our impressive 1-3 victory against FC Cincinnati at TQL Stadium on October 5, the Lions have put themselves in a really strong position to secure a coveted fourth-placed (top four) finish in the Eastern Conference. Prior to the international break, our crucial 1-3 win at FC Cincinnati not only capped off our final away fixture of the regular season but also showcased our remarkable resilience and tactical discipline. Ramiro Enrique was the star of the night, netting a brace to propel him to eight goals in his last 12 MLS appearances, while Iván Angulo added another to underline City’s offensive prowess.
With this victory, Orlando City SC reached 58 goals this 2024 MLS regular season, surpassing our club record (55 in 2023 and 2016) for the most goals in a single season – a testament to the attacking dynamism of this team. Currently sitting on 52 points from 33 matches, the Lions are firmly in control of their destiny, with a golden opportunity to seal that fourth-placed finish against fierce rivals Atlanta United at Inter&Co Stadium. Quite simply, a City victory on 2024 MLS Decision Day will guarantee home field advantage in the Round One Best-of-3 Series of the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs. After our stellar performance at FC Cincinnati, we’ve extended our remarkable run to 10 wins in 13 MLS matches since July 1, making us Major League Soccer’s most in-form team heading into Gameweek 34 and the post-season.
With New York City FC hot on our heels, just two points behind us, we know that any slip-up could prove fatal. The Pigeons visit CF Montréal on 2024 MLS Decision Day, with the Canadian side also vying to secure their own spot in the Eastern Conference MLS Wild Card match. Since Orlando City SC are now unrecognisable from the team that lost 2-0 at Atlanta United back in March, there would be nothing sweeter than putting an immediate end to The Five Stripes’ slim playoff aspirations. Given the fierce Florida-Georgia rivalry and the added pressure, Orlando City SC must harness the momentum from our recent successes and deliver a standout performance in this high-stakes fixture.
As we prepare for this defining match, the Lions are more than capable of rising to the occasion. With the remarkable attacking talent of Facundo Torres and the continued brilliance of Ramiro Enrique, Orlando City SC are not only aiming for a top four finish but also looking to set the stage for what we hope will be our deepest playoff run yet. All eyes are now on 2024 MLS Decision Day, so let’s make it count. Vamos Orlando! 😈 Continue reading
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
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
The MLS schedule makers certainly haven’t made it easy on Orlando City SC with Oscar Pareja‘s Lions now flying north above Interstate 75 to visit rivals Atlanta United at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in only our second away league fixture of 2024.
Embarrassingly humbled 5-0 at fellow rivals Inter Miami in our last MLS away fixture, City supporters are demanding a much more professional, committed, and gutsy performance this time around. But this will be anything but straightforward, not just because of The Five Stripes’ packed 40,000+ home crowd but because of our current state of mind.
City not only lost 2-3 to Minnesota United in MLS last Saturday but also got eliminated from the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup on Tuesday. Defeated 4-2 on aggregate by Tigres UANL in the Round of 16 stage, it’s truly been a miserable start to the year for Orlando City SC, whom much more was expected of, albeit facing a tough and unforgiving schedule to kick off our 2024 campaign. Continue reading
After a frustrating 0-0 draw against CF Montréal in our 2024 MLS home opener last Saturday, Oscar Pareja‘s Orlando City SC now contest one of the biggest games on this year’s schedule – an away trip to Fort Lauderdale to face fierce Florida rivals Inter Miami.
This year’s Sunshine Clásico falls earlier than ever before with the Lions hoping to achieve the mouthwatering prospect of defeating Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, and co in The Herons’ own backyard at Chase Stadium. Continue reading
Taking a temporary break from the dramatic transfer saga surrounding Duncan McGuire, there was a new name linked with a winter switch to Orlando City SC yesterday as the Lions reportedly line up a new striker to replace the 22-year-old.
Yesterday evening, Italian journalist and transfer expert Rudy Galetti tweeted that Orlando City SC are among the clubs “seriously interested” in signing Atalanta’s experienced Colombian international striker, Luis Muriel. Continue reading
“It’s done” as Frodo Baggins famously said in the Lord of the Rings! After guiding Orlando City SC to the MLS Cup Playoffs for four consecutive seasons, the hugely popular Oscar Pareja has now signed a new two-year deal, keeping our winningest head coach in club history at Exploria Stadium until at least the end of 2025.
During his four-year tenure in Central Florida, the 55-year-old Colombian has successfully turned around the Lions’ losing culture in Major League Soccer, so much so that City broke their own regular season records this year to finish runners-up to FC Cincinnati in the 2023 Supporters’ Shield despite having the lowest salary spend of all – a hugely impressive feat.
So far, the man affectionately known as Papi has built a genuine brotherhood in the City locker room, one that yielded silverware last year when Orlando City SC defeated Sacramento Republic 3-0 to win the 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final at Exploria Stadium – our first major title as an MLS club. Continue reading
The MLS SuperDraft is the most exciting event in the lives of every young North American college soccer player.
With Rounds 1, 2 and 3 of the 2024 MLS SuperDraft getting underway tomorrow, Orlando City UK took this moment to reflect on how Orlando City SC‘s annual picks have fared since our inaugural 2015 season. Continue reading
