Maxi Moralez

STATS PREVIEW: Sporting Kansas City vs Orlando City SC – 24.08.2024

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Back on August 9, Orlando City SC suffered their first-ever penalty shootout defeat as an MLS club to Cruz Azul (4-5 on penalties – 0-0 at full-time) in the Round of 32 stage of the 2024 Leagues Cup. Having previously won nine consecutive shootouts over a nine-year span, Oscar Pareja’s Orlando City SC have had two full weeks to stew over their elimination. But now, the Lions return to MLS action with a cross-conference trip to Sporting Kansas City.

Prior to the league’s controversial one-month hiatus, the Lions drew 1-1 with New York City FC. This left us seventh in the Eastern Conference with 34 points, hanging onto the final automatic qualification spot for the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs. Right now, we are just three points behind sixth-placed Charlotte FC (37 points) and four points clear of eighth-placed Toronto FC (30 points) who have played one more game (26) than City.

With only nine regular season fixtures remaining, Orlando City SC entered the Leagues Cup break full of momentum and confidence, riding a five-game unbeaten streak. It’s crucial for the team to pick up where they left off to increase our distance from the red line and aim for a position higher than seventh, securing a more favourable Round One Best-of-3 series in the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs.

In exceptional form since July, Ramiro Enrique’s goal against New York City FC marked his fourth consecutive MLS game with a goal. This was before grabbing two more consecutive goals in the 2024 Leagues Cup – a prolific 6 in 6 streak which is now a new club record. Grabbing his big opportunity with both hands, Enrique’s goals made up for the absence of first-choice striker Duncan McGuire who was away with the USMNT U-23 side at the 2024 Summer Olympics.

As for Saturday’s opponents Sporting Kansas City, Peter Vermes’ side also bowed out of the 2024 Leagues Cup at the Round of 32 stage, losing 4-0 at Columbus Crew. SKC went into the tournament break having gone 2-2-1 in their last five MLS games, drawing 1-1 against St. Louis CITY SC last time out in the league. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs New York City FC – 20.07.2024

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Our foot is on the gas and we ain’t letting go! Comprehensively defeating Nashville SC 0-3 last night, Orlando City SC have now won four MLS games in a row with three of these wins coming away from home. Solidifying our seventh-placed position in the Eastern Conference, Oscar Pareja’s Lions have surged from 21 points to 33 points in only a fortnight. Talk about a turnaround!

Currently six points ahead of both Toronto FC (eighth place) and CF Montréal (ninth place), the Canadian sides each share 27 points. Significantly, TFC have played one game more (25) than City (24) and were defeated 3-1 at Inter Miami last night – their seventh loss in eight MLS games.

Having built up a fantastic head of steam prior to the 2024 Leagues Cup break, Orlando City SC now host New York City FC at Inter&Co Stadium in our final game before Major League Soccer’s controversial one-month hiatus. Nick Cushing’s NYCFC rescued a 2-0 deficit to draw 2-2 at Atlanta United last night and are currently placed fifth in the East on 37 points.

In many ways, the 2024 Leagues Cup falls at the worst possible time for Orlando City SC, especially considering our forward momentum in the Eastern Conference. The Leagues Cup is not only a massive inconvenience but also lacks integrity, as it effectively replaced a legitimate 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. But we’ll be sharing our passionate thoughts on this subject next week, so stay tuned! Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: New York City FC vs Orlando City SC – 28.06.2024

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Just where had that performance been all season? Jubilant after defeating Chicago Fire 4-2 at Inter&Co Stadium last Saturday, City’s suffering fanbase was treated to a feel-good evening after finally achieving our second home win of the 2024 MLS regular season. Having only scored 19 league goals all year, we went and grabbed another four in just one night – our most in a single game this season.

A result and a performance we desperately needed, there was big pressure on Oscar Pareja and his Orlando City SC side to beat Fire. Racing into a 3-0 lead in just 29 first-half minutes, this victory was absolutely essential. It not only secured the three points we urgently needed but also prevented Chicago Fire from gaining any points, allowing us to leapfrog them and rise four places to tenth in the Eastern Conference.

Now visiting New York City FC in The Bronx, it’s the Lions’ first trip to Yankee Stadium since July 2021 after the last two away head-to-heads were hosted at Red Bull Arena in Harrison and Citi Field in Queens. Speaking of NYCFC, Nick Cushing’s side head into this game deflated after suffering a third consecutive MLS defeat at Nashville SC (1-0) last Saturday. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: New York City FC vs Orlando City SC – 02.10.2022

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After recording our most emphatic MLS victory of 2022, a much-needed 4-0 win over Toronto FC prior to the international break, Orlando City SC now have three games left to finally seal qualification for the 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs.

Visiting New York City FC in our penultimate away fixture of the regular season, this game is being contested in Harrison, New Jersey at Red Bull Arena rather than NYCFC’s usual Yankee Stadium home. 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 →

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs Atlanta United – 30.07.2021

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After an embarrassing 5-0 thrashing at New York City FC, Oscar Pareja‘s Orlando City SC must pick themselves up quickly for a home game against rivals Atlanta United.

Missing several first team regulars at NYCFC, partly through international call-ups but also by choice, it was the first time Orlando City SC have been disgraced under Pareja’s leadership. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Sporting Kansas City vs Orlando City SC – 23.04.2021

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After drawing 0-0 with Atlanta United in our 2021 home opener, Oscar Pareja‘s Orlando City SC now fly west to face Sporting Kansas City at Children’s Mercy Park.

The first of just two regular season fixtures against Western Conference opposition, the Lions will be looking to maintain their unbeaten start. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs New England Revolution – 29.11.2020

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(Credit: Orlando City SC)

After defeating New York City FC in the craziest, most incredible penalty shootout you’re ever likely to see, Orlando City SC must keep their feet on the ground for the next and most important game in Lions club history.

Now facing a home tie against New England Revolution in the Eastern Conference semi-final stage of the 2020 MLS Cup Playoffs, Oscar Pareja‘s side are just 270+ minutes away from lifting the MLS Cup trophy. Continue reading →

Five MLS stars that Orlando City SC can’t stand facing

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Now five years into our Major League Soccer journey, that’s been more than enough time for The Wall and Orlando City SC supporters to learn exactly who to despise around the league.

With the Lions not exactly earning a reputation for fine defending since entering MLS, here are five all too familiar foes that Orlando City SC simply can’t stand facing. Continue reading →

Are Orlando City SC set to sign this 29-year-old attacking midfielder?

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With the Major League Soccer Secondary Transfer Window closing shortly on August 7, could there still be room for one more Orlando City SC addition this summer?

On Monday evening, respected Latin American journalist Martin Charquero tweeted that Uruguayan attacking midfielder Mauricio Pereyra is “about to sign a contract with Orlando City”. Continue reading →