STATS PREVIEW: Columbus Crew vs Orlando City SC – 21.09.2024

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Last night, Orlando City SC earned yet another important victory, defeating Charlotte FC 2-0 at Inter&Co Stadium to continue our impressive form with a third consecutive home shutout. This crucial win propelled the Lions into fourth place in the Eastern Conference – our highest position all season – and extended our hopes of home field advantage in the Round One Best-of-3 Series of the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs.

Building on the momentum from recent home wins over Nashville SC (3-0) and New England Revolution (3-0), Facundo Torres netted his 12th goal of the MLS regular season with a sublime finish early in the second-half, followed by a composed chip from Duncan McGuire in the dying minutes. The match marked Orlando City SC’s first victory over Charlotte FC in five meetings and showcased the Lions’ growing defensive resilience and attacking precision.

Orlando City SC head into Saturday’s clash with 2023 MLS Cup and 2024 Leagues Cup champions Columbus Crew full of confidence, having leapfrogged New York Red Bulls into fourth place, though level on points (43) with the New Jersey side. However, the road trip to Lower.com Field won’t be easy. Facing Wilfried Nancy’s formidable side, widely regarded as the best-coached team in MLS, Oscar Pareja’s Lions will be without the suspended César Araújo.

With both teams in strong form with playoff positions at stake, this encounter promises to be a significant test of Orlando City SC’s late-season push. Right now, Lower.com Field is THE ultimate acid test among MLS fortresses and this game will examine how City might fare against top-quality opposition in the post-season. Crew enter this game fresh off a 0-2 win at Toronto FC last night, though they lost their last home match 0-4 to Seattle Sounders on September 7. That result, however, came with an asterisk. Crew were shorthanded due to international call-ups and with no goalkeeper on the bench, Sean Zawadzki had to play in net for the entire second-half after Abraham Romero’s red card in first-half stoppage time. Continue reading

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: New York Red Bulls vs Orlando City SC – 01.06.2024

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After securing a 1-1 draw at Chicago Fire, Oscar Pareja’s Orlando City SC stay on the road to take on New York Red Bulls for the second and final time this MLS regular season.

Enduring a forgettable season so far, the Lions are really struggling to propel themselves up the Eastern Conference. Currently five points adrift of seventh place and an automatic qualification spot for the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs, everything is proving to be a grind this year.

Actually earning more points on the road (11 points) than at home (6 points) so far this regular season, this gives City some hope heading to Red Bull Arena – but don’t get it twisted! Sandro Schwarz’s side currently sit fourth in the Eastern Conference and come into this game buoyed after a 3-1 home win against Charlotte FC yesterday – their third victory in four MLS games following a long rain delay. Continue reading

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs New York Red Bulls – 30.03.2024

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Finally sealing our first MLS win of the season with a deserved 2-0 victory against Austin FC, Oscar Pareja‘s Orlando City SC now contest a second successive home game at Inter&Co Stadium, this time against New York Red Bulls.

Currently third in the Eastern Conference on 10 points, Sandro Schwarz’s Red Bulls come into this game extremely confident after annihilating a Lionel Messi-less Inter Miami 4-0 at Red Bull Arena last weekend. Continue reading

STATS PREVIEW: New York Red Bulls vs Orlando City SC – 03.06.2023

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After drawing 1-1 against Atlanta United at Exploria Stadium, Oscar Pareja‘s Orlando City SC now visit Harrison, New Jersey to face New York Red Bulls at Red Bull Arena.

Last defeating Red Bulls 1-0 in our 2023 MLS home opener back on February 25, Gerhard Struber stood on the touchline that day but Troy Lesesne is now the head coach of the Eastern Conference side. 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: Charlotte FC vs Orlando City SC – 21.08.2022

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What a difference a week makes! After a humiliating 0-3 home defeat to New England Revolution, Orlando City SC bounced back to win 0-1 at New York Red Bulls, halting a worrying run of three consecutive MLS defeats.

With the Lions desperate for a victory to get their noses back above the red line, Facundo Torres‘ solitary first-half strike was enough to steal away three precious points from Red Bull Arena. Continue reading

STATS PREVIEW: New York Red Bulls vs Orlando City SC – 13.08.2022

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Orlando City SC‘s 2022 MLS regular season seems to be unravelling fast after a bitterly disappointing 0-3 home loss to New England Revolution.

With only one win in eight MLS games, the Lions have been flirting with the red line in recent weeks and now find themselves beneath it with a huge turnaround in form required to reach the 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs. Continue reading

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs New York Red Bulls – 27.07.2022

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After an incredible 6-5 sudden death penalty shootout victory over Nashville SC (1-1 A.E.T.) in the 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup quarter-finals, Orlando City SC now host New York Red Bulls in the semi-finals.

Hosting a U.S. Open Cup semi-final for the second successive tournament, City are just 90+ minutes away from hosting a potential final and 180+ minutes away from lifting their first trophy in the Major League Soccer era. Continue reading

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs New York Red Bulls – 24.04.2022

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After putting in the perfect road performance to prevail 0-2 at Columbus Crew, Oscar Pareja‘s Orlando City SC now face New York Red Bulls back at Exploria Stadium.

Achieving a two-game sweep over the Lions in 2021, Red Bulls were one of only two MLS teams to defeat the Lions in Orlando last season. Continue reading