Hany Mukhtar

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs Columbus Crew – 25.11.2023

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Impressively only requiring two games, not three, to overcome Nashville SC in the Round One Best-of-3 series in the 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs, Oscar Pareja‘s Orlando City SC are now set to contest their second ever Eastern Conference Semi-Final. Now reverting back to a single elimination format, just two games separate the Lions from 2023 MLS Cup itself, the holy grail fixture that may yet be hosted at Exploria Stadium, barring overall number one seed FC Cincinnati reaching this stage of course.

Now hosting overall number three seed Columbus Crew, qualifying from their own Best-of-3 series after a game three win (4-2) over Atlanta United on November 12, Orlando City SC drew 1-1 and won 4-3 against Wilfried Nancy’s Crew side in the MLS regular season. Considering the Ohio side had to contest a third game in Round One compared to the Lions, City have enjoyed more rest regardless of the recent international break, something that we hope provides us some form of advantage in our biggest MLS game since our Eastern Conference Semi-Final defeat to New England Revolution (1-3) back in November 2020. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Nashville SC vs Orlando City SC – 07.11.2023

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After defeating Nashville SC 1-0 in game one of the Round One Best-of-3 series in the 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs, Oscar Pareja‘s Orlando City SC now visit GEODIS Park to take on the Music City side in game two – quite simply the Lions’ biggest game of the season so far.

Recording our first ever playoffs win in regulation time on Monday, the Lions now visit Tennessee with a chance to punch our ticket to the Eastern Conference Semi-Final stage. To progress, Orlando City SC will need to play with the same confidence, maturity, and strong game management they impressively showcased in game one. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs Nashville SC – 30.10.2023

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After all the thrills and spills of a MLS regular season that saw Orlando City SC win more games than ever before (18) and achieve their highest all-time single-season points tally (63) – finishing a mightily impressive second in the 2023 Supporters’ Shield despite having the lowest salary spend of all – it’s now time for the agony and the ecstasy of the post-season.

City now face the side that finished seventh in the East, Nashville SC, at Exploria Stadium in game one of the newly revamped Round One Best-of-3 series of the 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs. The Lions have crucially secured home field advantage in this round courtesy of our Eastern Conference top four seeding (number two overall in MLS). Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs New England Revolution – 07.10.2023

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Defeating one bogey opponent – Nashville SC (0-1) – in another statement road win last night, Oscar Pareja‘s Orlando City SC now face another – New England Revolution – in our final home fixture of the 2023 MLS regular season. Just our second win over the Music City side in nine league meetings, yesterday’s victory means City are now the outright best team on their travels in MLS. Indeed, we’ve earned eight wins and four draws (28 points) across 16 away fixtures this season – a mightily impressive tally that is just one point fewer than the 29 points we’ve collected at Exploria Stadium.

Also conceding the joint second fewest amount of goals (37) in the Eastern Conference, the Lions are full of hope, optimism, and belief ahead of the post-season, and are hitting form at exactly the right time. While the wind is firmly in City’s sails, a top four seed isn’t clinched just yet. Despite Atlanta United losing 3-2 at Philadelphia Union, Columbus Crew’s late 1-2 victory at New England Revolution means we are still patiently waiting to lock in the hosting of two home games in the Round One Best-of-3 series of the 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Nashville SC vs Orlando City SC – 04.10.2023

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After defeating CF Montréal 3-0 in a professional, impressive, and dominant performance, Oscar Pareja‘s Orlando City SC now visit GEODIS Park for the very first time to face Nashville SC in our penultimate away fixture of the 2023 MLS regular season.

With City having just set a club record for our most ever Major League Soccer regular season victories (15) and points (54), everything seems to be clicking for the Lions right now. Preparing for the 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs the best way possible, we’re not only hitting our stride with consistent performances but positive results to match. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Minnesota United vs Orlando City SC – 15.04.2023

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Suffering a second successive home defeat to Nashville SC (0-2) back on April 1, Orlando City SC have had an entire fortnight to stew on that disappointing result.

Now visiting Minnesota United and legendary former City head coach Adrian Heath, Oscar Pareja‘s Lions have been unconvincing and inconsistent this year, going 2-2-2 in six MLS regular season games so far. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Philadelphia Union vs Orlando City SC – 10.09.2022

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After the pure elation and ecstasy of winning four consecutive MLS games, not to mention lifting the 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, Orlando City SC are back in MLS action.

With no MLS game in nine days to accommodate for our cup final, Oscar Pareja‘s Lions now visit runaway Eastern Conference leaders Philadelphia Union with just six regular season games remaining. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs Sacramento Republic – 07.09.2022

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Has it sunk in yet? Orlando City SC have reached the 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final and are just 90+ minutes away from securing their first major honour in our Major League Soccer history.

Thumping New York Red Bulls 5-1 in the semi-finals back on July 27, Oscar Pareja‘s Lions now host fairytale giant killers Sacramento Republic at Exploria Stadium and will never have a better opportunity to put silverware in our trophy cabinet. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs New York Red Bulls – 27.07.2022

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After an incredible 6-5 sudden death penalty shootout victory over Nashville SC (1-1 A.E.T.) in the 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup quarter-finals, Orlando City SC now host New York Red Bulls in the semi-finals.

Hosting a U.S. Open Cup semi-final for the second successive tournament, City are just 90+ minutes away from hosting a potential final and 180+ minutes away from lifting their first trophy in the Major League Soccer era. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs D.C. United – 04.07.2022

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After achieving our highest high of 2022, a 6-5 penalty shootout win over Nashville SC in the 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup quarter-finals (1-1 A.E.T.), it’s now back to MLS action.

On July 4 weekend, Orlando City SC now welcome D.C. United to Exploria Stadium for the Eastern Conference duo’s first league meeting this year. Continue reading →