Joe Willis

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 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: Orlando City SC vs Nashville SC – 29.06.2022

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After the thrill of defeating Florida rivals Inter Miami 4-2 on penalties (1-1 A.E.T.) in the 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Round of 16, Orlando City SC now face Nashville SC in the quarter-finals.

With Nashville SC switching from Eastern to Western Conference in 2022, this is the clubs’ only scheduled meeting this year, and City will be out to avenge their 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs elimination. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Nashville SC vs Orlando City SC – 23.11.2021

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We made it folks! On a tense 2021 MLS Decision Day, Oscar Pareja‘s Orlando City SC finally punched their ticket to the 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs.

Reaching the post-season for the second successive season, the Lions now visit Nissan Stadium to face familiar foes Nashville SC. Just 360+ minutes separate Orlando City SC from 2021 MLS Cup glory! Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: CF Montréal vs Orlando City SC – 07.11.2021

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After the high drama and high controversy of Orlando City SC‘s 1-1 draw with Nashville SC, the Lions head to CF Montréal to contest their final regular season fixture of the 2021 MLS season.

In stoppage time last Sunday, Alexandre Pato struck Joe Willis’ bar before Andrés Perea prodded home a game winner, only for referee Allen Chapman to incorrectly rule the goal out through VAR, and deny City a clinched spot in the 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs Nashville SC – 31.10.2021

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What started as a tilt for a top four finish (and a home game seeding) now looks like a dogfight to reach the 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs at all for Orlando City SC.

Beaten 3-2 at Columbus Crew on Wednesday, the Lions have just two games to go and risk dropping below the red line entering the final week of the 2021 MLS regular season. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs D.C. United – 02.10.2021

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After heroically rescuing a two-goal deficit at Nashville SC (2-2), Orlando City SC return to Exploria Stadium for a must-win fixture against D.C. United following a tough three-game road streak.

Now sitting perilously above the red line by just two points, seventh-placed City have just 7 regular season games remaining to reach the 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Nashville SC vs Orlando City SC – 29.09.2021

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After a valiant yet painful 2-1 defeat at leaders New England Revolution, Orlando City SC now visit Nashville SC looking to end a four-game losing streak.

With our hopes of qualifying for the 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs now hanging in the balance, the Lions need to stop the rot. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs Chicago Fire – 21.08.2021

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After drawing 1-1 at Nashville SC, Orlando City SC return to Exploria Stadium for an important three-game home streak that starts with Chicago Fire.

After the midweek MLS action, the Lions now sit fifth in the Eastern Conference (19 games, 31 points) and are desperately craving another victory. Continue reading →