Today, we’re celebrating our eighth birthday here at Orlando City UK with our Official International Fan Club of Orlando City SC established eight years ago.
A season on from our victorious 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup title, Oscar Pareja has Orlando City SC in their second-ever Eastern Conference Semi-Final with our loyal UK supporters watching every kick live on Apple TV this side of the Atlantic. Continue reading
A TOP TWO seed for the 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs, subsequent home field advantage in the post-season, and 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup qualification have now all been clinched! Indeed, the Lions achieved these fantastic feats after defeating New England Revolution 3-2 in our final home game of the 2023 MLS regular season. With City’s victory and a 0-0 tie between Philadelphia Union and Nashville SC sealing our top two status, Oscar Pareja‘s Orlando City SC now visit BMO Field to face Eastern Conference whipping boys Toronto FC on 2023 MLS Decision Day.
Sealing our ninth home victory of the MLS season back on October 7, a result that saw us reach 60 points in the East, a first-half Mauricio Pereyra masterclass helped the Lions on their way to another morale-boosting win – our first MLS victory over bogey opponent Revs in 11 league meetings.
In all my years watching the team, the last month or so has seen Orlando City SC produce the most convincing and consistent soccer we’ve ever played in MLS. Already clinching our spot in the 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs back on September 20 – earlier than ever before with five games to spare – this MLS Decision Day is refreshingly stress-free for City supporters.
Indeed, on MLS Decision Day in both 2021 and 2022, Orlando City SC agonisingly went into the final day of the regular season knowing that by full-time, they could be in or out of the post-season. Fortunately making it on both occasions, 2023 MLS Decision Day is excitingly all about extending our fine form into the post-season. Successfully securing our top two seeding prior to the international break, City can now look forward to hosting two home games in the newly revamped Round One Best-of-3 series of the 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs. The icing on the cake, the Lions can also look forward to appearing in the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup too, qualifying for the tournament for a second successive season courtesy of having secured a top two Eastern Conference finish.
All that’s left for Orlando City SC to find out on 2023 MLS Decision Day is whether they will be facing Atlanta United, Nashville SC or New England Revolution in Round One of the 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs. Continue reading
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
According to a Wednesday article from Belgian source Het Laatste Nieuws, Anderlecht are reportedly interested in signing Orlando City SC striker Duncan McGuire.
With The Athletic previously confirming Anderlecht’s interest in the 22-year-old, Het Laatste Nieuws’s article suggests talks have already been held with McGuire’s entourage. Continue reading
Desperately searching for not only a positive result but performance in an inconsistent 2023 campaign, Orlando City SC achieved both against LA Galaxy last weekend.
Just the tonic we needed, Oscar Pareja’s Lions prevailed 2-0 with Designated Players Ercan Kara and Facundo Torres scoring in a satisfying, convincing display. Continue reading
After lots of bye week deliberation time following our 1-2 Nashville SC defeat on April 1, Oscar Pareja‘s Orlando City SC bounced back with a much-needed 1-2 road victory at Minnesota United last Saturday.
Achieving a comeback win against legendary former City head coach Adrian Heath, second-half goals from Iván Angulo and Duncan McGuire sealed a super satisfying victory at Allianz Field. Continue reading
Before Minnesota United vs Orlando City SC on Saturday, we interviewed Orlando City SC Senior Producer and Video Host Gabrielle Amado (@gabamado) to preview the game.
We also reflect on City’s MLS season so far, as well as asking Gabby a few more questions about her own career working within Major League Soccer. Continue reading
Suffering a second successive home defeat to Nashville SC (0-2) back on April 1, Orlando City SC have had an entire fortnight to stew on that disappointing result.
Now visiting Minnesota United and legendary former City head coach Adrian Heath, Oscar Pareja‘s Lions have been unconvincing and inconsistent this year, going 2-2-2 in six MLS regular season games so far. Continue reading
(Credit: Orlando City SC)
Orlando City SC supporters have today learned when each of their thirty-four 2023 Major League Soccer regular season fixtures will be played.
With all MLS franchises’ complete regular season schedules released today, away days can be planned, rivalry games can be circled, and Lions supporters can now start mapping out Orlando City SC‘s quest to reach the 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs. Continue reading
After Kyle Smith‘s buzzer beater header in stoppage time at Toronto FC (0-1), Oscar Pareja‘s Orlando City SC now head to Texas for their inaugural MLS fixture with Austin FC.
With no meeting between the sides in Austin FC’s inaugural 2021 MLS season, this is City’s first taste of the atmospheric Q2 Stadium as we look to maintain our positive league campaign so far. Continue reading
