Wilder Cartagena

STATS PREVIEW: Tampa Bay Rowdies vs Orlando City SC – 07.05.2025

/ Taylor Williams / Leave a comment

Embed from Getty Images

ROWDIES, TELL ME HOW IT FEELS! 📢 You know the rest! 😉 A Florida feud reignites this Wednesday as Orlando City SC travel to Al Lang Stadium to face old USL rival Tampa Bay Rowdies in the 2025 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Round of 32. It’s a nostalgic return to the competition that delivered our first MLS-era silverware in 2022, and die-hard Lions couldn’t be happier to be back – especially after City were controversially excluded from last year’s diluted edition due to Leagues Cup scheduling.

Personally, I’m thrilled we’re back, having boycotted the 2024 Leagues Cup in protest. Even better, Orlando City SC have a real shot at lifting the cup this year. With just 16 MLS sides controversially included this time, the field is wide open. Especially with big boys Inter Miami, Los Angeles FC and Columbus Crew not taking part! Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Chicago Fire vs Orlando City SC – 03.05.2025

/ Taylor Williams / Leave a comment

Embed from Getty Images

Orlando, we’re coming to c̶o̶n̶q̶u̶e̶r̶ roll over! 😜 After a tough few weeks, Orlando City SC returned to winning ways with a commanding 3-0 derby victory over Atlanta United at Inter&Co Stadium. Piling the pressure on Ronny Deila, the result extended the Lions’ unbeaten run to seven games and restored some much-needed momentum heading into a busy stretch. Now, Oscar Pareja’s side will look to climb the Eastern Conference standings against Chicago Fire, who were just thumped 7-2 at Nashville SC. It was an embarrassing loss for Gregg Berhalter against his former USMNT assistant, B.J. Callaghan.

With confidence growing and key players finding form, City will now look to build on their fourth consecutive clean sheet. Another positive result on the road would keep the pressure on the teams above and further underline the Lions’ growing belief as the campaign hits its stride. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs Atlanta United – 26.04.2025

/ Taylor Williams / Leave a comment

Embed from Getty Images

We couldn’t stop scoring in our first six MLS games – now it’s three without a goal. Football’s a funny old game! Orlando City SC may have extended their unbeaten streak to six matches (2-4-0), but last Saturday’s 0-0 draw at CF Montréal felt just as frustrating as our stalemate against New York Red Bulls. Following our third straight scoreless outing and Rafael Santos’ red card, Oscar Pareja’s Lions return to Inter&Co Stadium to face fierce rivals Atlanta United in a matchup that’s always action-packed.

Still reeling from last Saturday’s 3-0 defeat at 10-man Philadelphia Union – and last season’s Eastern Conference Semi-Final exit at our hands – Atlanta will be out for revenge. But while they’ve spent big – dropping a league-record $22 million on Emmanuel Latte Lath – their results have fallen well short of expectations. With both teams desperate for goals and momentum, another fiery edition of this Florida-Georgia feud awaits. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: CF Montréal vs Orlando City SC – 19.04.2025

/ Taylor Williams / Leave a comment

Embed from Getty Images

Orlando City SC just extended their unbeaten MLS streak to five matches (2-3-0), but we left last Saturday’s scrappy 0-0 draw with New York Red Bulls feeling frustrated. Still preserving a second successive shutout despite Rodrigo Schlegel’s red card, Oscar Pareja’s Lions now travel north of the border to face CF Montréal in chilly Quebec. Right now, Papi is at a tactical crossroads: stick with his cautious 3-4-2-1 or revert to our familiar 4-2-3-1? Either way, we must now cope with Rodrigo Schlegel’s one-game suspension.

CF Montréal enter this match scarred from a 0-1 defeat to Charlotte FC in their long-delayed 2025 home opener last Saturday. Winless in eight games and still bottom of the East, they’re continuing to adjust under interim head coach Marco Donadel, who stepped in following the dismissal of Laurent Courtois on March 25. This is just CF Montréal’s second home game at Stade Saputo in 2025, following seven straight on the road – a yearly tradition to avoid Quebec’s harsh winter. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs New York Red Bulls – 12.04.2025

/ Taylor Williams / Leave a comment

Embed from Getty Images

Orlando City SC showed grit and growth last Saturday, grinding out a hard-earned 0-0 draw at Philadelphia Union to claim our first clean sheet of 2025. Despite key midfielders César Araújo and Eduard Atuesta being unavailable, the Lions rallied to extend their unbeaten run to four games (2-2-0).

Now back on home turf and buoyed by a strong defensive display, City will look to keep the momentum rolling against familiar foes. Just four MLS games ago, Orlando City SC and New York Red Bulls played out a 2-2 draw in Harrison, New Jersey, and with last season’s bitter Eastern Conference Final loss still fresh, this one carries extra edge. Both sides come into the contest in good form. Red Bulls are fresh off a 2-1 win over in-form Chicago Fire, while City are looking more solid and settled with each passing game. Another step forward here could keep the Lions firmly in the playoff mix, albeit at this early stage of the season. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Philadelphia Union vs Orlando City SC – 05.04.2025

/ Taylor Williams / Leave a comment

Embed from Getty Images

Orlando City SC’s flair for the dramatic was on full display last Saturday. And given the venue, it was truly a Hollywood ending! On the night, a late surge saw the Lions secure a 1-2 comeback win at LA Galaxy – marking Oscar Pareja’s 200th match in charge and City’s second straight victory at Dignity Health Sports Park.

Having just achieved back-to-back MLS victories, the Lions now head to Subaru Park with revenge on their minds. Philadelphia Union’s 2-4 win on opening night remains Orlando City SC’s only home loss of 2025, but with City’s attack firing on all cylinders and confidence soaring after our first road win of the season, there’s no reason to fear this challenge. Meanwhile, Union are looking to bounce back after a 2-1 loss at Inter Miami, setting the stage for another intense Eastern Conference clash. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: LA Galaxy vs Orlando City SC – 29.03.2025

/ Taylor Williams / Leave a comment

Embed from Getty Images

Are you not entertained? Recency bias aside, I think we just witnessed one of Orlando City SC’s most complete MLS performances, dismantling an unbeaten D.C. United side (1-3-0) with a dominant 4-1 victory at Inter&Co Stadium. On Javier Otero’s first MLS career start, the Lions were ruthless in attack, with Luis Muriel, Martín Ojeda, and Marco Pašalić continuing their fine form. For the first time in club history, all three of our Designated Players scored in the same game – making Facundo Torres’ absence feel surprisingly manageable. What is this sorcery? Am I dreaming?

Having scored the most goals (13), yet conceded the second-most goals (11) across MLS this season, City now head cross-country to face defending MLS champions LA Galaxy in Carson, California. This is a matchup that could have been the 2024 MLS Cup Final! But Greg Vanney’s side are experiencing a shocking title defence. Galaxy are winless (0-2-3) this season, holding the worst-ever record for a defending MLS champion through five games. Most recently, they salvaged a late 2-2 draw at Minnesota United, but the Lions will be looking to capitalise on their shaky form. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs D.C. United – 22.03.2025

/ Taylor Williams / Leave a comment

Embed from Getty Images

Orlando City SC’s defensive struggles continued last time out, as the Lions let two leads slip in a frustrating 2-2 draw at New York Red Bulls. While Martín Ojeda and Marco Pašalić produced moments of brilliance, soft goals at the other end proved costly once again. On a positive note, Luis Muriel has been more effective this season, helping the Lions adopt a more direct attacking style under Oscar Pareja.

Now, City return home to Inter&Co Stadium, facing Troy Lesesne’s unbeaten D.C. United side (1-3-0) who drew 0-0 with CF Montréal last weekend. With Pedro Gallese away on international duty, young keeper Javier Otero is set for a big opportunity, while Duncan McGuire’s return from injury offers us a timely boost. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: New York Red Bulls vs Orlando City SC – 15.03.2025

/ Taylor Williams / Leave a comment

Embed from Getty Images

Just a week on from our frustrating 2-1 defeat at New York City FC, Orlando City SC now head across the Hudson River to face their rivals, New York Red Bulls, at the renamed Sports Illustrated Stadium. This marks the clubs’ first meeting since last season’s painful Eastern Conference Final, where Red Bulls ended our 2024 MLS Cup dreams.

City enter this one still searching for defensive solidity, having conceded eight goals in three games. Despite some encouraging signs at Yankee Stadium, self-inflicted mistakes proved costly again. Now, with captain Robin Jansson back, the Lions will be desperate to tighten up, make a statement, and most importantly, take revenge. As for Red Bulls, they drew 0-0 at Atlanta United last Saturday following a 1-0 loss at FC Cincinnati and a 2-0 win over Nashville SC. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: New York City FC vs Orlando City SC – 08.03.2025

/ Taylor Williams / Leave a comment

Embed from Getty Images

The sun always shines after the storm, right? Orlando City SC flipped the script last Saturday, securing their first MLS win of 2025 with a commanding 4-2 victory over Toronto FC at Inter&Co Stadium. After falling by the same scoreline a week prior, the Lions got that monkey off their back at the second time of asking, proving that a week is a long time in soccer!

Now, City hit the road for the first time this MLS regular season, facing New York City FC at Yankee Stadium – a tough test that kicks off a stretch of four away games in our next five. This game is NYCFC’s 2025 MLS home opener, but The Pigeons come into it scarred after losing 1-0 at Los Angeles FC on Matchday 2. Continue reading →