STATS PREVIEW: Toronto FC vs Orlando City SC – 03.07.2024

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Before we get into this preview, Orlando City UK wants to send our love and support to Mason Stajduhar who suffered a gruesome leg break in Friday’s game at New York City FC. Fracturing his tibia and fibula in his right leg, Mason will now be placed on Orlando City SC’s Season-Ending Injury List. We’re wishing both Stajduhar and NYCFC’s Malachi Jones the speediest of recoveries following their awful collision that hopefully doesn’t jeopardise their careers.

Defeated 4-2 at Yankee Stadium, Orlando City SC are still waiting to achieve back-to-back MLS victories for the first time this season. Surrendering the chance to temporarily leapfrog our rivals Atlanta United into ninth place and the final MLS Wild Card match slot, the Lions now visit eighth-placed Toronto FC.

A second successive road game for Oscar Pareja’s Lions, Orlando City SC will be looking for a quick response following the NYCFC loss in order to get our flimsy bid to reach the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs back up and running. But having only won one of our last seven MLS fixtures (1-4-2), we need a dramatic upturn in form to save our season from being a complete disaster.

John Herdman’s Toronto FC enter this game still reeling from an embarrassing 97th minute defeat at Atlanta United (2-1) on Saturday. In a dramatic turn of events, TFC goalkeeper Luka Gavran was completely unaware of Jamal Thiaré lurking menacingly on the goal line behind him when preparing for a last-minute goal kick. Seizing the opportunity, Thiaré appeared on Gavran’s blind side as he laid the ball down. Thiaré then stole the ball, rounded Gavran, and effortlessly tapped the ball into an empty net. 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

Who is Orlando City SC’s new loan signing Iván Angulo?

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Just when you thought Orlando City SC were done this MLS Secondary Transfer Window, the Lions yesterday announced the 12-month loan signing of Iván Angulo.

The 23-year-old Colombian winger has arrived at Exploria Stadium from Brazilian side Palmeiras following another loan spell at Portimonense in Portugal for their 2021/22 Primeira Liga season. Continue reading

Twitter reacts to… Orlando City SC signing Nicholas Gioacchini

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With other rivals getting busy in the MLS Secondary Transfer Window, Orlando City SC have now joined the party with today’s signing of SM Caen forward Nicholas Gioacchini.

A USMNT forward with three international goals and eight caps, the Lions have acquired Nicholas Gioacchini on a free transfer with the 21-year-old signing a two-and-a-half year deal at Exploria Stadium. Continue reading

Twitter reacts to… Orlando City SC’s Jhegson Méndez joining Los Angeles FC

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Orlando City SC‘s MLS Secondary Transfer Window has really heated up with Jhegson Méndez departing Exploria Stadium for Los Angeles FC today.

City have acquired $300,000 in 2022 General Allocation Money from LAFC for “Sebas” who joined the Lions in 2019 and made 72 MLS appearances. Continue reading

Twitter reacts to… Orlando City SC trading Luis Gil for Dillon Powers

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If you thought Orlando City SC‘s MLS Secondary Transfer Window business was done, you’d be mistaken.

Completing a late, late trade for Colorado Rapids’ Dillon Powers with Luis Gil heading in the other direction, the deal was secured last night but only announced today. Continue reading

Is THIS man the next through the entrance doors at Orlando City SC?

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With the doors of the MLS Secondary Transfer Window having slammed shut last night, Orlando City SC‘s mid-season signings seemed to stand at two.

That was until news started breaking of a potential last ditch trade deal involving a swap between Colorado Rapids’ Dillon Powers and current Orlando City SC loanee Luis Gil. Continue reading