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: FC Dallas vs Orlando City SC – 27.09.2020

Embed from Getty Images

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

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs FC Dallas – 03.08.2019

Embed from Getty Images

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

Embed from Getty Images

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 FC Dallas – 30.09.2017

Embed from Getty Images

The penultimate home fixture of our 2017 Major League Soccer campaign, Orlando City SC welcome FC Dallas to Orlando City Stadium on Saturday.

A game that Orlando City UK are attending live, there is at least a feel good factor around the club once more following Wednesday’s thumping 6-1 win over New England Revolution. Continue reading

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs Houston Dynamo – 08.07.2016

Embed from Getty Images

Redemption will be in the minds of Orlando City SC players against Houston Dynamo on Friday night after a humiliating 4-0 loss on the road to FC Dallas led to Wednesday’s sacking of Adrian Heath.

Brushed aside with ease in the heat of Toyota Stadium, Frisco last time out, the Lions are currently seventh in the MLS Eastern Conference with 20 points from 16 games played. Continue reading

Adrian Heath’s Orlando City SC sacking: The pros & cons

Embed from Getty Images

Fans of Orlando City SC on this side of the Atlantic woke up to the shock sacking of Lions head coach Adrian Heath on Thursday morning.

Is it a good or bad decision? It is certainly not one that has been taken lightly by those with their finger on the button who felt the pros outweighed the cons.

So without further ado, let’s look at the pros and cons ourselves. Continue reading