STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs Philadelphia Union – 02.10.2024

Embed from Getty Images

On Saturday, Orlando City SC showcased their resilience, bouncing back from our 4-3 defeat at Columbus Crew with an impressive 1-3 victory at FC Dallas. This win not only secured the Lions’ place in the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs. It also marked the fifth consecutive season that Oscar Pareja has successfully guided Orlando City SC into the post-season – an accomplishment achieved every single year under his leadership! Truly, his track record speaks volumes, and it’s moments like these that remind us just how valuable his experience and vision have been.

Beyond this milestone, the victory was also historic, as it represented the first-ever time that Orlando City SC have won (and scored) away at FC Dallas. Goals from Ramiro Enrique, Rodrigo Schlegel, and Facundo Torres ensured a memorable night in Frisco, Texas. Ultimately, it was a performance that showcased both the depth and determination of the squad, underlining our intent to make a deep run in this year’s playoffs.

City currently sit fourth in the Eastern Conference with 46 points from 31 games played. For now, the Lions have reclaimed that all-important home field advantage for the Round One Best-of-3 Series in the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs. However, with teams like New York City FC and New York Red Bulls still hot on our heels, our final three MLS regular season fixtures will be crucial. As Orlando City SC continue their quest for a top four finish, Pareja’s proven leadership will be more essential than ever.

As for Wednesday’s opponents Philadelphia Union, they’ve had a surprisingly underwhelming 2024 season by their usual high standards. Currently playing catch-up, they sit ninth in the Eastern Conference and occupy the final MLS Wild Card match slot, but only by goal difference. Jim Curtin’s side arrive at Inter&Co Stadium following a 1-1 draw with Atlanta United on Saturday where Saba Lobjanidze’s equaliser cancelled out Nathan Harriel’s well-taken opener. This was Union’s first draw in eight MLS games, but they’ve still managed to win five of their last eight in a late push for the playoffs.

Given Oscar Pareja’s combined 20 years at FC Dallas as a player, assistant coach, and head coach, Toyota Stadium was a special venue for Papi to secure post-season qualification with his new passion, Orlando City SC. By clinching our spot in the 2024 MLS Cup playoffs, Orlando City SC have become one of just three active MLS teams to reach the post-season in five consecutive seasons. I mean, should we ever doubt Papi in the regular season? With this mission accomplished, our focus now shifts to sealing a top four finish and building confidence ahead of another post-season challenge. In past years, rash decisions, hot-headedness, and red cards have been our downfall, so all eyes will be on Orlando City SC to see if we’ve truly learned from previous shortcomings in the playoffs. Continue reading

STATS PREVIEW: FC Dallas vs Orlando City SC – 28.09.2024

Embed from Getty Images

Last Saturday, Orlando City SC suffered a 4-3 defeat at Columbus Crew, ending the Lions’ three-game winning streak in dramatic fashion. Despite a spirited comeback from 3-0 down, individual errors proved costly, causing Oscar Pareja’s men to lose ground in our pursuit of a fifth consecutive MLS Cup Playoffs appearance.

The defeat means Orlando City SC remain on 43 points in a tightly congested Eastern Conference. Goals from Diego Rossi, Christian Ramirez, and Cucho Hernández put Crew 3-0 up at at Lower.com Field. Then late goals from Ramiro Enrique, Luis Muriel, Aziel Jackson, and Muriel (again) saw City fall just short in Ohio.

Now visiting FC Dallas for the first time since September 2020, Orlando City SC will look to bounce back, knowing that a win will officially clinch our spot in the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs. With City currently fifth in the Eastern Conference, our push for a top four finish is still within reach too, though last weekend’s setback means the pressure is mounting.

As for FC Dallas, they are fighting for a playoff spot themselves in the Western Conference. Coming off a morale-boosting 3-1 victory over Los Angeles FC, who were gearing up for the 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final, this win marked Toros’ first in their last four MLS fixtures (1-1-2). As such, this game promises to be another stern examination of Orlando City SC’s resilience and adaptability. Right now, every point is vital as we enter the final stretch of the MLS regular season. A strong performance in Frisco could be the catalyst needed to reignite our top four and post-season hopes.

Saturday’s visit to Toyota Stadium will also be a reunion for both Oscar Pareja and Luiz Muzzi. Both are very familiar with the venue after many successful years working together at the Texan club. Continue reading

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs FC Dallas – 28.05.2022

Embed from Getty Images

After a simply horrible refereeing performance from Joe Dickerson at Austin FC (2-2), Orlando City SC are back at Exploria Stadium to face fellow Texan side FC Dallas.

Brandishing red cards to Rodrigo Schlegel and César Araújo at Q2 Stadium, the latter was understandable but Schlegel’s dismissal was really bad at best and grossly incompetent at worst. Continue reading

STATS PREVIEW: D.C. United vs Orlando City SC – 26.06.2019

Embed from Getty Images

Following 25 days without a league game, Orlando City SC return to MLS action against D.C. United at Audi Field in the second and final head-to-head of the 2019 season.

Since our brilliant 0-3 win at Montreal Impact on June 1, the Lions have successfully navigated their way to the quarter-final stage of the 2019 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup with two gutsy victories against Memphis 901 FC and New England Revolution.
Continue reading

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs D.C. United – 31.03.2019

Embed from Getty Images

Relief and jubilation! Those were some of the words to describe the mood of Orlando City SC players and supporters following a rousing 0-1 victory in a surprise triumph at New York Red Bulls last weekend.

Not only the Lions’ first win of the 2019 MLS season, the three points were extra significant because this was Orlando City SC‘s first road victory since 29 April 2018 – a good eleven months ago! Continue reading

STATS PREVIEW: D.C. United vs Orlando City SC – 12.08.2018

Embed from Getty Images

After a breathless 3-3 draw against New England Revolution last weekend, Orlando City SC visit Audi Field for the very first time as they take on D.C. United, now buoyed by Wayne Rooney’s arrival.

Ben Olsen’s D.C. United currently sit bottom of the Eastern Conference on 18 points but boast four games in hand on Orlando City SC who sit five points above the Black and Red. Continue reading

STATS PREVIEW: D.C. United vs Orlando City SC – 09.09.2017

Embed from Getty Images

It’s a battle between the Eastern Conference’s bottom two sides as a wounded Orlando City SC travel to RFK Stadium to take on Ben Olsen’s D.C. United on Saturday.

Thrashed 4-0 at New England Revolution last time out, the Lions’ coaching staff and players really need to do some soul searching with the performance nowhere near required standard. Continue reading