STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs Charlotte FC – 18.09.2024

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On Saturday, Orlando City SC sealed a mature and commanding 3-0 victory over New England Revolution, maintaining our strong push towards the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs. Despite early pressure from Revs, City’s defence stood firm, and a stunning long-range strike from Rafael Santos along with a penalty from Facundo Torres and a goal from Duncan McGuire ensured a second successive 3-0 home win and a first-ever MLS regular season sweep over bogey side Revs!

Our sixth win in eight MLS games and the fifth time in seven that we’ve scored 3+ goals, the victory saw the Lions jump from seventh to fifth in the Eastern Conference, two points ahead of seventh-placed Charlotte FC. Now hosting Charlotte FC ourselves this Wednesday, completing a hat-trick of home wins would not only boost our playoff push but also our hopes of sealing a top four position and home field advantage in the Round One Best-of-3 Series of the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs.

After all, fourth-placed New York Red Bulls slipped up by losing 2-1 at Chicago Fire, meaning Orlando City SC now only trail the New Jersey side by just three points. Given our current form and consistently strong performances from key players like Dagur Dan Thórhallsson, Wilder Cartagena, and Facundo Torres, there’s a tangible sense of optimism right now. With a late-season surge very much possible, securing a top four finish is most certainly within reach – and who would’ve said that only a few months ago?

As for Wednesday’s visitors Charlotte FC, Dean Smith’s side are coming off a 2-1 defeat at CF Montréal on Saturday. Conceding two quick-fire goals to Caden Clark (23) and Bryce Duke (26), a first-ever Charlotte FC goal by Tim Ream (35) made it a one-goal game but The Crown couldn’t find a leveller, meaning the Mint City side are now winless in their last five MLS fixtures (0-3-2). Continue reading

STATS PREVIEW: Atlanta United vs Orlando City SC – 17.03.2024

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The MLS schedule makers certainly haven’t made it easy on Orlando City SC with Oscar Pareja‘s Lions now flying north above Interstate 75 to visit rivals Atlanta United at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in only our second away league fixture of 2024.

Embarrassingly humbled 5-0 at fellow rivals Inter Miami in our last MLS away fixture, City supporters are demanding a much more professional, committed, and gutsy performance this time around. But this will be anything but straightforward, not just because of The Five Stripes’ packed 40,000+ home crowd but because of our current state of mind.

City not only lost 2-3 to Minnesota United in MLS last Saturday but also got eliminated from the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup on Tuesday. Defeated 4-2 on aggregate by Tigres UANL in the Round of 16 stage, it’s truly been a miserable start to the year for Orlando City SC, whom much more was expected of, albeit facing a tough and unforgiving schedule to kick off our 2024 campaign. Continue reading

Twitter reacts to… Orlando City SC signing Pedro Gallese

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Orlando City SC‘s off-season recruitment drive currently stands at eight new first team players after the Lions officially announced the signing of goalkeeper Pedro Gallese today.

City’s highest profile signing of the winter so far, the 29-year-old Peruvian international number one becomes Orlando City SC‘s most established stopper in Major League Soccer to date. Continue reading

Who is Orlando City SC transfer target Pedro Gallese?

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The number of Orlando City SC off-season additions currently stands at five and there could well be a significant sixth joining very soon.

According to a report from Peruvian source Trome yesterday, Peruvian international goalkeeper Pedro Gallese has all but signed for Oscar Pareja‘s Lions. Continue reading

Twitter reacts to… Orlando City SC finally signing Carlos Ascues

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Better late than never, right? Peru international centre back Carlos Ascues is finally a Orlando City SC player with the Lions officially confirming his arrival today.

Despite Major League Soccer’s Secondary Transfer Window closing last Wednesday, Orlando City SC have managed to conclude a loan deal until the end of the season for the 26-year-old defender. Continue reading

STATS PREVIEW: Toronto FC vs Orlando City SC – 18.05.2018

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And so our unbeaten streak this season ended at six games! Going down 1-2 to bitter rivals Atlanta United last time out, there’s no need to feel defeatist however.

Running the Eastern Conference leaders close yet again, there was no doubt The Five Stripes deserved their victory but nobody should be pressing the panic button right now. Continue reading

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs Vancouver Whitecaps – 26.08.2017

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Win and hope for the best! That’s all Orlando City SC need to do right now with Jason Kreis‘ Lions still five points beneath the red line following Gameweek 25.

Only managing a 1-1 draw with Columbus Crew last time out, Orlando City SC really needed a victory but a second successive home game is just what we need at the minute. Continue reading

5 things you didn’t know about Orlando City SC’s Yoshimar Yotún

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While Dom Dwyer was anything but a stranger on his return to Orlando City SC last month, Lions new boy Yoshimar Yotún is much more of an unknown quantity.

Becoming Orlando City SC’s second mid-season signing on Friday, the experienced Peruvian international certainly arrives at Orlando City Stadium with pedigree. Continue reading