STATS PREVIEW: FC Cincinnati vs Orlando City SC – 05.10.2024

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Orlando City SC are simply on fire right now! Extending our strong run of form last night, City secured a vital 2-1 victory over Philadelphia Union at Inter&Co Stadium. This win not only completed a 2024 season sweep over Jim Curtin’s Philadelphia Union, but also marked a milestone for Facundo Torres, who became Orlando City SC’s all-time leading goalscorer (45) across all competitions. Impressively, it was also our fourth consecutive home victory in the MLS regular season, extending our unbeaten run at home to 10 matches (7-3-0) across all competitions. With a top four finish still ours to lose, the Lions remain firmly in the hunt for home field advantage in the Round One Best-of-3 Series of the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs.

Following yesterday’s win, Orlando City SC remain fourth in the Eastern Conference with 49 points from 32 games. In fact, no side has won more points (27) in MLS since the beginning of July than the Lions. But with New York City FC and New York Red Bulls just two points behind us, our lead is far from secure as all three teams get set to contest their final two MLS regular season fixtures. NYCFC’s 3-2 win over FC Cincinnati yesterday propelled them to 47 points, while Red Bulls matched that total by thrashing Toronto FC 1-4 at BMO Field. It was a strong way to bounce back from a humiliating 1-5 home defeat to New York City FC last weekend in the Hudson River Derby.

Given how tight the current standings are, this makes every remaining point crucial as Orlando City SC aim to secure a second successive top four seeding in the post-season. With last night’s 3-2 defeat at NYCFC, Saturday’s opponents FC Cincinnati (56 points) missed the chance to overtake Ohio rivals Columbus Crew (57 points), who slipped up with a 2-3 home defeat to Inter Miami. A victory that saw The Herons unfortunately crowned 2024 Supporters’ Shield champions, FC Cincinnati and Columbus Crew are currently jockeying for second place. Despite goals from Luciano Acosta and Corey Baird, Pat Noonan’s FC Cincinnati fell short at NYCFC and they’ll be eager to respond against Orlando City SC at a boisterous TQL Stadium.

But under the pressure of securing a top four finish, City’s attack has thrived, with Facundo Torres, Martín Ojeda, and Ramiro Enrique making significant contributions since June. Despite Orlando City SC scoring just 17 goals in our first 17 MLS games of 2024, we’ve netted 38 in the last 15, matching 2016 and 2023’s joint club record of 55 goals in a single MLS regular season. With Orlando City SC now set to contest our final away fixture of the regular season, the Lions should be feeling mighty confident, especially given our ability to dominate or grind out results.

Oscar Pareja, the coaching staff, and players deserve massive credit for this tactical versatility and for peaking at the right time, much like we did last season. When you combine regular goalscoring with defensive discipline – as we are right now – this is the winning formula! With our post-season spot already secured, all eyes are on Orlando City SC to maintain our top four position and build momentum for what we hope is our deepest playoff run yet! And who knows, maybe, just maybe lifting the 2024 MLS Cup? Continue reading

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs Nashville SC – 31.08.2024

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After a month without MLS, Orlando City SC’s return to league action was bitterly disappointing with the Lions comprehensively defeated 3-0 at Sporting Kansas City. Now returning home to face Nashville SC at Inter&Co Stadium, the Lions have just eight regular season fixtures remaining to seal a place in the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs.

At SKC, the Lions had a one-man advantage for the final 23 + 12 minutes, but failed to create any real attacking threat throughout the game, missing a key opportunity to gain points against a low-ranking Western Conference opponent. Poor finishing and defensive lapses allowed Sporting Kansas City to capitalise in one of Orlando City SC’s worst performances of 2024.

As for Saturday’s opponents Nashville SC, they are in free fall having just suffered their seventh consecutive MLS defeat. Beaten 0-2 at home by Austin FC last Saturday, this was B. J. Callaghan’s first MLS game in charge of the Music City side after he took over during the 2024 Leagues Cup. A rare penalty miss by Hany Mukhtar in the first-half paved the way for Jon Gallagher and Osman Bukari to seize all three points at GEODIS Park. Continue reading

STATS PREVIEW: Nashville SC vs Orlando City SC – 17.07.2024

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Our Gillette Stadium curse is over! Failing to win any of our previous eight MLS games in Foxborough, Orlando City SC have now finally defeated New England Revolution away after securing a 1-3 comeback victory on Saturday night. Our fourth win in five MLS games and the first time we’ve achieved three consecutive victories since September / October 2023, the Lions appear to be coming good when it matters!

After a lacklustre first-half performance at Revs, whatever Oscar Pareja said at half-time had the desired effect! With Orlando City SC coming out re-energised, refocused, and determined to leave Massachusetts with all three points, we laughed in the face of the artificial turf and hit back three times after entering the break 1-0 down.

Staying on the road, City now visit Tennessee for a Wednesday night showdown with Nashville SC at GEODIS Park. The clubs’ first MLS meeting since the Lions dumped Nashville SC out of the 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs, the Music City side will be out for revenge. That said, Nashville SC are on the slide having lost their last four consecutive MLS fixtures, including a 2-1 defeat at D.C. United on Saturday night.

As for Orlando City SC, we’re not only craving a fourth straight victory. We’re now looking for as much momentum as possible as we look to reel in sixth-placed Charlotte FC while solidifying our place in the automatic qualification spots for the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs. Continue reading

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs FC Cincinnati – 04.05.2024

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May the fourth be with Orlando City SC this Saturday (Star Wars™ Night) because we’re going to need it!

After collapsing late on to somehow throw away all three points in a gutting 1-2 loss to Toronto FC, Oscar Pareja’s Lions now contest a second successive home game at Inter&Co Stadium, this time against high-flying FC Cincinnati.

Currently second in the Eastern Conference on 18 points, 2023 MLS Supporters’ Shield winners FC Cincinnati come into this game buoyed by a 2-1 home victory against Colorado Rapids last Saturday plus a 1-2 comeback win at Atlanta United the weekend prior. Continue reading

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs Toronto FC – 04.07.2023

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After beating Chicago Fire 3-1, Oscar Pareja‘s Orlando City SC stay at Exploria Stadium for a July 4 Independence Day showdown with Toronto FC.

Recently relieving Bob Bradley of his duties on June 26, Terry Dunfield is now interim head coach of TFC who face a Lions side placed seventh in the Eastern Conference, currently just three points behind fourth-placed Columbus Crew. Continue reading

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs Nashville SC – 08.11.2020

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After beating Columbus Crew 2-1, Oscar Pareja‘s Orlando City SC play Nashville SC in their final regular season fixture of the 2020 Major League Soccer season.

Qualifying for the 2020 MLS Cup Playoffs five games ago, the Lions usually have nothing to play for bar pride on MLS Decision Day but this year, it’s all about getting ready for the post-season. Continue reading

Who is Orlando City SC new boy Shane O’Neill?

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Extremely busy in the off-season, Orlando City SC are still adding jigsaw pieces mid-season with defender Shane O’Neill joining the Lions today.

Available for selection from July 10th, the Irish born American player has signed a three-and-a-half year contract and counts as a Homegrown Player after arriving as a Discovery Signing. Continue reading

PLAYER RATINGS: LA Galaxy vs Orlando City SC – 11.09.2016

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Orlando City SC‘s recent two-game winning streak was brought to an end with a halt on Sunday as LA Galaxy ran out comfortable 4-2 victors at StubHub Center in Carson.

Following a cagey opening period, it was Jason Kreis‘ Lions who carried over their good form from Montreal Impact in midweek as Kevin Molino opened the scoring on 19 minutes. Continue reading

STATS PREVIEW: LA Galaxy vs Orlando City SC – 11.09.2016

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There is great belief that Orlando City SC could be hitting the gas when it matters the most with Jason Kreis‘ Lions having registered back-to-back wins heading into Sunday’s meeting with LA Galaxy.

With just SIX regular season fixtures left to contend following the weekend’s assignment at StubHub Center, Orlando City SC’s 1-4 demolition of Montreal Impact away will renew confidence that the Lions can make the MLS Cup Playoffs. Continue reading