MLS

STATS PREVIEW: New York City FC vs Orlando City SC – 20.09.2023

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After defeating Columbus Crew 4-3 in a quite remarkable three-goal comeback victory, Oscar Pareja‘s Orlando City SC now visit Queens, not The Bronx, for a Wednesday night showdown with 2015 MLS expansion rivals New York City FC at Citi Field.

With City players and supporters running on adrenaline after Ramiro Enrique‘s buzzer beater against Crew, the Lions left everything on the field against quality opposition in undoubtedly one of the craziest and most exciting games of the entire Major League Soccer season so far – a game that’ll live long in the memory. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs Columbus Crew – 16.09.2023

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After making a huge statement with a 0-1 win at Eastern Conference topping FC Cincinnati on September 2, Oscar Pareja‘s Orlando City SC now face Wilfried Nancy’s Columbus Crew back at Exploria Stadium.

With FC Cincinnati going 20 consecutive home games unbeaten at TQL Stadium prior to City’s visit, not to mention being MLS Supporters’ Shield winners elect, snapping this streak with a gritty 0-1 result was mightily impressive. 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 →

STATS PREVIEW: FC Cincinnati vs Orlando City SC – 02.09.2023

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Rescuing a 1-1 draw at Charlotte FC on Wednesday, Oscar Pareja‘s Orlando City SC now visit TQL Stadium to complete a quick-fire two-game streak against runaway Supporters’ Shield contenders FC Cincinnati.

Unrecognisable from being former wooden spoon whipping boys, Pat Noonan’s formidable side have lost just three regular season fixtures so far. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs St. Louis CITY SC – 26.08.2023

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Having had 17 days to stew on our disappointing 3-1 loss at Inter Miami in the 2023 Leagues Cup, Orlando City SC returned to MLS action the best way possible, defeating Chicago Fire 1-3 away to extend our fantastic form on the road.

Now rising to fourth in the Eastern Conference, City currently sit within the coveted home seeding spots for the 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs – the positions we hope to end up in once our 10 remaining regular season fixtures are complete. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Chicago Fire vs Orlando City SC – 20.08.2023

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Eliminated from the 2023 Leagues Cup back on August 2, Orlando City SC return to MLS regular season action, travelling to the Windy City to take on Chicago Fire at Soldier Field.

Prior to the Leagues Cup break, Oscar Pareja‘s Lions climbed to fifth in the Eastern Conference – and just one point off fourth-placed Nashville SC – after an impressive run of three victories in four MLS fixtures. Continue reading →

A quick word on *that* Inter Miami defeat before we all move on…

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Before we begin, Orlando City SC‘s 3-1 defeat to Inter Miami in the 2023 Leagues Cup on Wednesday evening was bitterly disappointing for players and supporters alike. Disappointing because ever since our 2011 founding, the club have long enjoyed a love affair with cup competitions, none greater than last season’s victorious 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup triumph – our first title in our MLS era.

A rivalry fixture – with state bragging rights at stake – it’s always gutting losing , especially in knockout competition in enemy territory, but genuine supporters accept these highs and lows as part and parcel of The Beautiful Game.

What I must admit though – and I reiterate that these opinions are the thoughts of Orlando City UK (Taylor Williams), not Orlando City SC – is that I had cynical feelings that our Inter Miami defeat would play out the way it did – and so it proved on a controversial night at DRV PNK Stadium. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Inter Miami vs Orlando City SC – 02.08.2023

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Orlando City SC will face the world’s greatest ever player Lionel Messi in their next club fixture. A wild sentence that seemed implausible a few years ago, that is the reality with City now visiting Florida rivals Inter Miami in the 2023 Leagues Cup Round of 32.

Qualifying from our “South 2” group to the knockout stage courtesy of home triumphs over Houston Dynamo (1-1 at full-time, 5-4 on penalties) and Santos Laguna (3-2), Orlando City SC probably couldn’t have faced a tougher MLS opponent right now – such has been the relentless nature of Messi’s start to life in South Florida. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Santos Laguna vs Orlando City SC – 29.07.2023

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After defeating Houston Dynamo 5-4 on penalties (1-1 at full-time) in our first “South 2” group game of the 2023 Leagues Cup, Orlando City SC now face Liga MX side Santos Laguna at Exploria Stadium, requiring at least two points to guarantee a spot in the Round of 32 knockout stage.

Previously facing Guerreros back in the 2021 Leagues Cup, Miguel Gallardo‘s boyhood club Santos Laguna were victorious on that occasion (0-1) with Oscar Pareja‘s side hoping for a better outcome this time around. Continue reading →

Twitter reacts to… Orlando City SC re-signing Júnior Urso

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Exactly a week since Orlando City SC supporters were treated to clips of Júnior Urso revisiting Osceola Heritage Park and embracing Oscar Pareja, the Lions yesterday announced the re-signing of the 34-year-old fan favourite on a contract through the end of the 2023 season – with a club option in 2024.

A surprise, yet hugely popular mid-season addition to our 2023 roster, it’s been 251 days since Júnior Urso mutually terminated his contract with City, reluctantly returning to Brazil – and Coritiba – due to personal reasons. Continue reading →