Shane O’Neill

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs Toronto FC – 27.04.2024

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After rescuing a 2-2 draw at CF Montréal last Saturday, Oscar Pareja‘s Orlando City SC now face another Canadian opponent in Toronto FC but this time back in our familiar surroundings of Inter&Co Stadium.

Currently fifth in the Eastern Conference on 13 points, John Herdman’s TFC come into this game rejuvenated after a 1-0 win against New England Revolution last weekend plus a 5-0 2024 Canadian Championship preliminary round win over Simcoe County Rovers FC yesterday.

Speaking of TFC’s last league fixture, an incredible acrobatic goal from Prince Owusu helped The Reds to a 2024 sweep over Revs, ending their streak of three consecutive MLS defeats in turn. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Toronto FC vs Orlando City SC – 21.10.2023

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A TOP TWO seed for the 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs, subsequent home field advantage in the post-season, and 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup qualification have now all been clinched! Indeed, the Lions achieved these fantastic feats after defeating New England Revolution 3-2 in our final home game of the 2023 MLS regular season. With City’s victory and a 0-0 tie between Philadelphia Union and Nashville SC sealing our top two status, Oscar Pareja‘s Orlando City SC now visit BMO Field to face Eastern Conference whipping boys Toronto FC on 2023 MLS Decision Day.

Sealing our ninth home victory of the MLS season back on October 7, a result that saw us reach 60 points in the East, a first-half Mauricio Pereyra masterclass helped the Lions on their way to another morale-boosting win – our first MLS victory over bogey opponent Revs in 11 league meetings.

In all my years watching the team, the last month or so has seen Orlando City SC produce the most convincing and consistent soccer we’ve ever played in MLS. Already clinching our spot in the 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs back on September 20 – earlier than ever before with five games to spare – this MLS Decision Day is refreshingly stress-free for City supporters.

Indeed, on MLS Decision Day in both 2021 and 2022, Orlando City SC agonisingly went into the final day of the regular season knowing that by full-time, they could be in or out of the post-season. Fortunately making it on both occasions, 2023 MLS Decision Day is excitingly all about extending our fine form into the post-season. Successfully securing our top two seeding prior to the international break, City can now look forward to hosting two home games in the newly revamped Round One Best-of-3 series of the 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs. The icing on the cake, the Lions can also look forward to appearing in the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup too, qualifying for the tournament for a second successive season courtesy of having secured a top two Eastern Conference finish.

All that’s left for Orlando City SC to find out on 2023 MLS Decision Day is whether they will be facing Atlanta United, Nashville SC or New England Revolution in Round One of the 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Real Salt Lake vs Orlando City SC – 08.07.2023

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Even before the post-match Exploria Stadium fireworks show to commemorate July 4, Orlando City SC celebrated Independence Day with a bang by emphatically defeating Toronto FC 4-0.

Registering two home victories in a row and only losing one of our last eleven MLS fixtures, Oscar Pareja‘s upwardly mobile Lions now face a tough three-game road streak in MLS, sandwiched by at least two ties in the 2023 Leagues Cup. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Colorado Rapids vs Orlando City SC – 07.03.2020

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After drawing 0-0 with Real Salt Lake on MLS opening weekend, Oscar Pareja‘s Orlando City SC now head west to face Colorado Rapids.

Last visiting Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in April 2018, the Lions will be hoping for a positive result at altitude – 5,200 ft above sea level. Continue reading →

Twitter reacts to… Orlando City SC’s 2019 end-of-season roster update

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This evening (UK time), Orlando City SC officially announced their updated first team roster following the end of the 2019 Major League Soccer campaign.

The first comprehensive evidence as to who is staying, potentially remaining and departing Exploria Stadium before 2020, there were a couple of surprise names in the ‘option declined’ column. Continue reading →

Twitter reacts to… Orlando City SC’s 2019 protected player list

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As is customary in Major League Soccer, the league requests that clubs release protected player lists at the end of each campaign and Orlando City SC did just that today.

With the 2019 MLS Expansion Draft taking place on November 19th, new boys Inter Miami and Nashville SC start construction of their inaugural 2019 rosters but these new franchises won’t be able to sign these 17 Lions stars. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs Chicago Fire – 06.10.2019

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Following a really disappointing 1-1 draw at the Eastern Conference’s bottom side FC Cincinnati, Orlando City SC are now eliminated from contention to reach the 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs.

Now facing Chicago Fire at home in a meaningless 2019 MLS Decision Day fixture, it’s still important for James O’Connor‘s side to put in a professional performance to prove to City supporters they care heading into 2020. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Montreal Impact vs Orlando City SC – 01.06.2019

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After a sickening 0-1 home loss to LA Galaxy last Friday, Orlando City SC now head to Montreal Impact away – a game Orlando City UK is attending live.

With the start of the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup meaning there is no Orlando City SC fixture until June 26 following this fixture, it’s important to head into the break with a positive result at Stade Saputo. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: New York City FC vs Orlando City SC – 27.04.2019

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Following the euphoria of an 88th minute game winner against Vancouver Whitecaps (1-0) last weekend, James O’Connor‘s Lions head up the Eastern Seaboard to face New York City FC at Yankee Stadium.

Securing three victories, two draws and three defeats so far, it’s safe to say Orlando City SC are an improving side following a nightmare 2018. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs Vancouver Whitecaps – 20.04.2019

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Following a narrow 2-1 loss at Real Salt Lake and our third defeat of the 2019 Major League Soccer campaign, James O’Connor‘s Orlando City SC will look to bounce back at home against Vancouver Whitecaps.

The Canadian side embark on their furthest trip of the MLS season with new head coach Marc Dos Santos having just earned his first league victory at the seventh attempt against Los Angeles FC (1-0) on Wednesday. Continue reading →