STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs Atlanta United – 24.11.2024

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It’s time, Orlando! With potential 2024 MLS Cup glory just 270+ minutes away, Orlando City SC are on the cusp of reaching their first-ever Eastern Conference Final. Standing in City’s way are fierce Georgia rivals Atlanta United who visit Inter&Co Stadium this Sunday in a single elimination Eastern Conference Semi-Final. Both teams have played each other 21 times in MLS, but never in a playoff match, until now. With just eight teams remaining in the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs, the stage is set, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. This is what we’ve worked all season for – and now, it’s all about executing when it matters most.

After our heart-stopping game three victory over Charlotte FC in Round One, Orlando City SC have proven once again that we know how to handle pressure. Our thrilling 4-1 shootout victory (1-1 at full-time) saw us progress to our third-ever Eastern Conference Semi-Final, but this has been the end of the line twice before. Still carrying scars from our semi-final exits to New England Revolution (2020) and Columbus Crew (2024), it’s now up to Oscar Pareja’s Lions to go further than any Orlando City SC team has before. So, let’s be THAT team and say ‘why not us?’.

In Round One (game three), Facundo Torres’ buzzer-beater heroics and Pedro Gallese’s clutch penalty shootout saves were a testament to the grit and determination that define our team. With our momentum building, we’re hungrier than ever. Ultimately, Orlando City SC will never have a better opportunity to reach their first-ever MLS Cup. After all, the top three seeds in the Eastern Conference – Inter Miami (first), Columbus Crew (second), and FC Cincinnati (third) – shocked everyone by getting eliminated in Round One of the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs. If we can get past Atlanta United, Orlando City SC will host either sixth seed New York City FC or seventh seed New York Red Bulls at Inter&Co Stadium – a tantalising prospect with our fourth seed home advantage paying dividends.

Over the years, Atlanta United have been the bane of Orlando City SC’s existence. They not only won MLS Cup in their second-ever season (2018). Across all competitions, they also hold an impressive 11-7-4 all-time record against City since joining Major League Soccer in 2017. A team our supporters love to hate, it would be incredibly sweet to knock out The Five Stripes. We’d be one step closer to clinching what we’ve all yearned for since 2015 – that coveted Philip F. Anschutz Trophy and a first-ever MLS star above our crest! With a sellout crowd expected to pack out Inter&Co Stadium, Orlando City SC must be bold, focused, and disciplined. We can’t allow rash decisions, hot-headedness, and red cards to be our downfall like in post-seasons of old. Let’s show we’re #AllTeeth and ready to send Atlanta United packing! LFG. Vamos Orlando! Continue reading

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs Chicago Fire – 22.06.2024

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Orlando City SC could only manage a 2-2 draw at Charlotte FC on Wednesday despite playing a man up for 57 minutes after Scott Arfield’s first-half red card. The Lions were even facing the prospect of a disastrous defeat when Brandt Bronico put Dean Smith’s 10-man side 2-1 ahead in the second-half. However, Facundo Torres‘ 81st minute equaliser saved Oscar Pareja’s Lions further embarrassment in what is turning out to be an awful outlier season.

Right now, City need wins, not draws to climb up from second bottom in the Eastern Conference. However, scoring two goals in a single game is a positive sign, something we haven’t accomplished since our 2-3 win against Philadelphia Union on May 11. Now contesting a must-win game against thirteenth-placed Chicago Fire at Inter&Co Stadium, we have a crucial opportunity to leapfrog the team directly ahead of us.

Speaking of Chicago Fire, they defeated Toronto FC 1-4 last Saturday, achieving back-to-back victories for the first time this season after a terrible nine-game winless streak. Entering this game fresher than Orlando City SC having not played in midweek, Frank Klopas’ side will be encouraged by the Lions’ poor home record (1-3-5) which is currently the joint-worst in Major League Soccer.

In Saturday’s game, City will be wearing rainbow jersey numbers instead of gold to commemorate Pride In Our City Night at Inter&Co Stadium. Continue reading

STATS PREVIEW: New York Red Bulls vs Orlando City SC – 01.06.2024

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After securing a 1-1 draw at Chicago Fire, Oscar Pareja’s Orlando City SC stay on the road to take on New York Red Bulls for the second and final time this MLS regular season.

Enduring a forgettable season so far, the Lions are really struggling to propel themselves up the Eastern Conference. Currently five points adrift of seventh place and an automatic qualification spot for the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs, everything is proving to be a grind this year.

Actually earning more points on the road (11 points) than at home (6 points) so far this regular season, this gives City some hope heading to Red Bull Arena – but don’t get it twisted! Sandro Schwarz’s side currently sit fourth in the Eastern Conference and come into this game buoyed after a 3-1 home win against Charlotte FC yesterday – their third victory in four MLS games following a long rain delay. Continue reading

Are these Orlando City SC’s 9 worst MLS calls by PRO Referees?

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Bad refereeing calls happen. It’s part of sport. Orlando City SC aren’t perfect and make mistakes too. However, this blog is to highlight the consistent and continued incompetency of PRO Referees since the Lions joined MLS in 2015.

After a really poor call by Joe Dickerson in yesterday’s 2-2 draw at Austin FC, Orlando City UK lists what we believe to be 9 of Orlando City SC‘s worst MLS calls by PRO Referees. Continue reading

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs Charlotte FC – 30.04.2022

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After the high of defeating Columbus Crew and Tampa Bay Rowdies within just five days, Orlando City SC were brought back down to Earth with a bump last Sunday.

Comfortably swept aside 0-3 by New York Red Bulls at home, Oscar Pareja‘s Lions were worryingly tepid as they passed up a huge opportunity to go top of the Eastern Conference. Continue reading

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs Chicago Fire – 09.04.2022

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After a painful 2-4 home defeat to Los Angeles FC, Orlando City SC must pick themselves up quick for another home game, this time against Chicago Fire.

Suffering consecutive home losses for the first time under Oscar Pareja, we’ve now started 2022 with two victories, two draws, and two defeats. Continue reading

Two live Orlando City SC games on Premier Sports 2 and FreeSports in April

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With FreeSports televising two live Orlando City SC fixtures in March, two more Lions games will be broadcast in the UK in April.

Premier Sports 2 will have live coverage of Orlando City SC vs Los Angeles FC on April 2. FreeSports has live coverage of Orlando City SC vs Chicago Fire on April 9. Continue reading

STATS PREVIEW: LA Galaxy vs Orlando City SC – 19.03.2022

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After a humbling 1-2 home defeat to FC Cincinnati, it’s back to basics for Orlando City SC who are expected to achieve much more this season than last weekend’s result suggested.

Granted, nothing is decided in Gameweek 3, but the fact we’ve already surrendered a home loss, to lowly FC Cincinnati no less, this will sure be irking Orlando City SC players, management, and supporters. Continue reading

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs FC Cincinnati – 12.03.2022

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Still unbeaten and yet to concede following Gameweek 2, Orlando City SC left Chicago Fire (0-0) frustrated after a ridiculous VAR call that cost City potential victory.

On 73 minutes, Júnior Urso‘s deflected strike beat Gabriel Slonina, only for referee Ismir Pekmic to rule out the goal due to what he interpreted as an Ercan Kara handball in the build-up. Continue reading