Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs CF Montréal – 30.09.2023

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Rescuing a one-goal deficit to draw 1-1 with Florida rivals Inter Miami, Oscar Pareja‘s Orlando City SC now face CF Montréal in our penultimate home fixture of the 2023 MLS regular season.

In a passionate Sunshine Clásico full of aggression and needle, a scrappy derby had flashes of promise but ultimately ended even. Admittedly a fair result on the balance of play, the Lions were very wasteful in front of goal despite Duncan McGuire‘s 66th minute equaliser – a goal that ensured Inter Miami have still never won at Exploria Stadium. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs Inter Miami – 24.09.2023

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Mission accomplished! Despite suffering a 2-0 defeat at New York City FC last night, a favourable 1-1 draw between D.C. United and Atlanta United elsewhere saw Orlando City SC clinch their spot in the 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs with five games to spare. Reaching the promised land of the MLS post-season earlier than ever before, Oscar Pareja has now impressively steered the City ship into the playoffs for a fourth consecutive season.

In a mouth-watering prospect, Orlando City SC and Inter Miami now meet in MLS for the first time since the Lions’ highly controversial 2023 Leagues Cup Round of 32 defeat (3-1) at DRV PNK Stadium back on August 2.

With Lionel Messi’s brace helping steer The Herons towards what proved to be their first major title in club history, the injustice of several incidences against City has undoubtedly lit the touch paper for this eagerly anticipated rematch. Revenge will most certainly be on the minds of Orlando City SC players and supporters as the Lions aim to derail Inter Miami’s late push to reach the 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs.

In huge news, seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi WILL NOT visit Exploria Stadium for the very first time however. After The Herons’ 4-0 win over Toronto FC yesterday, Tata Martino ruled both Messi and Jordi Alba out of Sunday’s Sunshine Clásico after they were both subbed off with suspected first-half injuries in that game. Whether this is managerial mind games or not remains to be seen. Continue reading →

Twitter reacts to… Orlando City SC selling Ercan Kara to Samsunspor

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Despite the fact Orlando City SC can no longer sign reinforcements with the MLS Secondary Transfer Window closing back on August 2, the Lions today sold Ercan Kara to Turkish Süper Lig side Samsunspor.

Opening up a Designated Player slot on the Lions’ roster ahead of the 2024 MLS campaign, the 27-year-old centre forward departs Exploria Stadium as a divisive figure who for some, City’s playing style inhibited, and for others, failed to live up to high expectations in his one-and-a-half seasons with the club. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Charlotte FC vs Orlando City SC – 09.05.2023

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Back on April 27, Orlando City SC were drawn against Charlotte FC at the Sportsplex at Matthews in this Round of 32 stage of the 2023 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

Bypassing the third round by virtue of triumphantly winning the 2022 Lamar U.S. Open Cup, six straight home victories saw City lift their first major silverware as an MLS club. With an away test up first this time around, there will be no home comforts as City attempt to defend their 2022 title. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Tigres UANL vs Orlando City SC – 07.03.2023

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Just two games into our new 2023 Major League Soccer campaign, Orlando City SC are now set to contest one of, if not arguably the biggest fixture in club history.

City visit Monterrey to face Liga MX giants Tigres UANL in the 2023 CONCACAF Champions League Round of 16. This first leg tie is City’s first ever appearance in North America’s premier club competition. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs New York Red Bulls – 25.02.2023

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After a critically acclaimed off-season of refreshment, anticipation fills the air as Oscar Pareja‘s Orlando City SC kick off the 2023 Major League Soccer campaign.

Starting at home for a ninth consecutive MLS season, City face New York Red Bulls after our 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs heartache at CF Montréal in October. Continue reading →

Arsenal plotting January swoop for Orlando City SC star?

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At the start of Orlando City SC‘s off-season, there’s already a huge transfer rumour surfacing. Premier League giants Arsenal have today been linked with a January swoop for Facundo Torres.

The Evening Standard’s Simon Collings claims “the Gunners are due to hold talks with the Uruguayan international’s agent as they target a right winger to provide competition for Bukayo Saka.” Continue reading →

Winners revealed in Orlando City UK’s 2022 end-of-season awards

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This past week, we asked the Orlando City SC Twittersphere to select their Orlando City SC Player of the Year, Young Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year for 2022 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 historic 2022 campaign, we can now proudly reveal the winners as voted by you! 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 Seattle Sounders – 31.08.2022

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Here at Orlando City UK, we’re campaigning for stoppage time to be renamed “Tesho time” after the Canadian striker earned Orlando City SC a late MLS victory for the second consecutive gameweek.

After his late winner at Charlotte FC, Tesho Akindele‘s 96th minute header earned the Lions another crucial 2-1 victory over New York City FC on Sunday. Continue reading →