STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs Philadelphia Union – 02.10.2024

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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: New York City FC vs Orlando City SC – 28.06.2024

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Just where had that performance been all season? Jubilant after defeating Chicago Fire 4-2 at Inter&Co Stadium last Saturday, City’s suffering fanbase was treated to a feel-good evening after finally achieving our second home win of the 2024 MLS regular season. Having only scored 19 league goals all year, we went and grabbed another four in just one night – our most in a single game this season.

A result and a performance we desperately needed, there was big pressure on Oscar Pareja and his Orlando City SC side to beat Fire. Racing into a 3-0 lead in just 29 first-half minutes, this victory was absolutely essential. It not only secured the three points we urgently needed but also prevented Chicago Fire from gaining any points, allowing us to leapfrog them and rise four places to tenth in the Eastern Conference.

Now visiting New York City FC in The Bronx, it’s the Lions’ first trip to Yankee Stadium since July 2021 after the last two away head-to-heads were hosted at Red Bull Arena in Harrison and Citi Field in Queens. Speaking of NYCFC, Nick Cushing’s side head into this game deflated after suffering a third consecutive MLS defeat at Nashville SC (1-0) last Saturday. Continue reading

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs Los Angeles FC – 15.06.2024

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The melancholy feeling of disappointment lingers on and on for Orlando City SC who suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat against New York Red Bulls back on June 1.

Frankly speaking, the small flickers of hope for sneaking into the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs continue to dwindle week by week.

Having had a whole fortnight to stew over our disappointing 1-0 defeat at New York Red Bulls, the Lions now return to Inter&Co Stadium for a cross-conference meeting with in form Los Angeles FC who have won five MLS games in a row, conceding ZERO goals in the process!

Things could certainly get worse before they get better for Oscar Pareja and his side. Seeing our five-game unbeaten road streak snapped at Red Bull Arena, we could’ve played until midnight and still not scored! 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 Colorado Rapids – 10.06.2023

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With the soccer world digesting Wednesday’s seismic and historic news that Lionel Messi is joining Inter Miami, Florida rivals Orlando City SC are back at Exploria Stadium to face a cross-conference opponent in Colorado Rapids.

After emphatically defeating New York Red Bulls 0-3 at Red Bull Arena, City have now gone five MLS games unbeaten. They now face Robin Fraser’s struggling Rapids side who failed to reach the 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs, and this year, currently languish thirteenth in the Western Conference. 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: Orlando City SC vs New York Red Bulls – 25.02.2023

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After a critically acclaimed off-season of refreshment, anticipation fills the air as Oscar Pareja‘s Orlando City SC kick off the 2023 Major League Soccer campaign.

Starting at home for a ninth consecutive MLS season, City face New York Red Bulls after our 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs heartache at CF Montréal in October. Continue reading

STATS PREVIEW: Inter Miami vs Orlando City SC – 05.10.2022

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Orlando City SC‘s hopes of reaching the 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs desperately hang in the balance after City suffered a painful 2-1 defeat at New York City FC on Sunday.

Not a knockout blow, considering the Lions have two games remaining, Oscar Pareja‘s side now visit Inter Miami in our final away game of the season, most definitely the highest stakes Sunshine Clásico yet. Continue reading

New York City FC vs Orlando City SC 2022 preview with UK NYCFC

Before New York City FC vs Orlando City SC on Sunday, we interviewed Andrew ‘Barney’ Barnard (@UKNYCFC) to preview the game at Red Bull Arena.

We also reflect on NYCFC and the Lions’ MLS seasons so far as well as asking Barney a few more questions about his recent trip Stateside to see The Pigeons win the 2022 Campeones Cup. 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