STATS PREVIEW: FC Dallas vs Orlando City SC – 28.09.2024

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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 Austin FC – 23.03.2024

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After losing 2-0 at fierce rivals Atlanta United, Oscar Pareja‘s Orlando City SC now return to Central Florida to welcome Austin FC to Inter&Co Stadium for the very first time in MLS.

Down in the dumps right now, the Lions are winless in four MLS games, scoreless in three, and currently second bottom in the Eastern Conference in what has truly been a nightmare start to 2024. Continue reading

STATS PREVIEW: Austin FC vs Orlando City SC – 22.05.2022

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After Kyle Smith‘s buzzer beater header in stoppage time at Toronto FC (0-1), Oscar Pareja‘s Orlando City SC now head to Texas for their inaugural MLS fixture with Austin FC.

With no meeting between the sides in Austin FC’s inaugural 2021 MLS season, this is City’s first taste of the atmospheric Q2 Stadium as we look to maintain our positive league campaign so far. Continue reading

STATS PREVIEW: FC Dallas vs Orlando City SC – 27.09.2020

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After a fantastic 1-2 win at Sporting Kansas City on Wednesday, Oscar Pareja‘s Orlando City SC face another quick turnaround as they head to FC Dallas on Sunday.

Revisiting his beloved Frisco, Texas, Papi is a legend at Toyota Stadium after a glorious 19-year association with FC Dallas as a player then head coach. Continue reading

Is this man next in line to become Orlando City SC boss?

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Twenty-five days on from James O’Connor’s dismissal as Orlando City SC head coach, we’re still no closer to discovering who his successor will be – or are we?

Over the past few days, rumours that Oscar Pareja could be next Lions boss have gathered momentum so Orlando City UK took this time to assess the facts. Continue reading

STATS PREVIEW: FC Cincinnati vs Orlando City SC – 29.09.2019

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Surrendering another road lead by conceding two goals in three minutes at Houston Dynamo (2-1), Orlando City SC are almost consigned to their fifth consecutive season without reaching the MLS Cup Playoffs.

On a night that saw playoff qualification rivals New England Revolution, Chicago Fire and Montreal Impact all drop points, the Lions’ late capitulation in Texas was bitterly disappointing for City’s suffering fanbase. Continue reading

STATS PREVIEW: Houston Dynamo vs Orlando City SC – 21.09.2019

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Despite a rousing second-half that saw Orlando City SC overturn a 1-3 half-time deficit in just nine minutes, the Lions’ 3-3 draw with New England Revolution leaves our playoff hopes on the brink.

On a night where Montreal Impact’s 0-1 loss to FC Cincinnati gave James O’Connor‘s side a huge opportunity to make up ground, City desperately needed all three points, not one. Continue reading

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs FC Dallas – 03.08.2019

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Just three days on from the 2019 MLS All-Star Game, the Exploria Stadium turf sees live action again as Orlando City SC return for a cross-conference clash with Luchi Gonzalez’s FC Dallas.

Just the fourth time the sides have met in Major League Soccer, James O’Connor swaps MLS All-Star head coach duties for his regular day job as his Lions plot a strong finish heading into the season’s final straight. Continue reading

STATS PREVIEW: FC Dallas vs Orlando City SC – 06.10.2018

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Suitably rested with no fixture last weekend, Orlando City SC taste their first MLS action in 14 days with a testing away fixture at Western Conference leaders FC Dallas.

Travelling to Frisco, Texas with heads a little higher following an improved performance in our 0-0 draw against Houston Dynamo, James O’Connor‘s side are now battling to avoid finishing bottom of the Eastern Conference. Continue reading

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs Houston Dynamo – 22.09.2018

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After what can only be described as an unacceptable team performance at Chicago Fire, Orlando City SC desperately need reinstall Lions supporters’ faith against Houston Dynamo.

Thrashed 4-0 at Toyota Park last Sunday, collective effort, determination and fight were all severely lacking in a lethargic performance that left a lot to be desired. Continue reading