Yutaro Tsukada

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

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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

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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

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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: New York City FC vs Orlando City SC – 08.03.2025

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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 →

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs Toronto FC – 01.03.2025

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“Painful”. Martín Ojeda’s one-word summary said it all as Orlando City SC suffered their first-ever MLS home opener loss, falling 2-4 to Philadelphia Union last Saturday. A disastrous start to the second-half left the Lions with a mountain to climb, overshadowing Marco Pašalić’s debut brace.

“We made mistakes that don’t belong in this game, at this level” said Oscar Pareja who knows a major improvement is needed to restore fan confidence in the season ahead. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs Philadelphia Union – 22.02.2025

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After a short, breathless, and exciting off-season of refreshment, anticipation fills the air as Oscar Pareja’s Orlando City SC kick off the 2025 Major League Soccer campaign.

Starting at home for an eleventh consecutive MLS season, City open against Philadelphia Union for the first time after our crushing 2024 Eastern Conference Final defeat to New York Red Bulls back in November. Continue reading →

2025 MLS SuperDraft preview: Reviewing Orlando City SC’s 35 draft picks since 2015

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The MLS SuperDraft is the most exciting event in the lives of every young North American college soccer player.

With Rounds 1, 2 and 3 of the 2025 MLS SuperDraft getting underway this Friday (December 20), Orlando City UK took this moment to reflect on how Orlando City SC’s annual picks have fared since our inaugural 2015 season. Continue reading →

Twitter reacts to… Orlando City SC’s 2024 end-of-season roster update

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Earlier today, Orlando City SC officially announced their updated first team roster following the end of the 2024 Major League Soccer campaign.

The first comprehensive evidence as to who is staying, potentially remaining and departing Inter&Co Stadium before 2025, five players were named in the ‘option declined’ column. Continue reading →

Orlando City UK celebrates our ninth birthday: 2024 round-up

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Today, we’re celebrating our ninth birthday here at Orlando City UK with our Official International Fan Club of Orlando City SC established nine years ago.

Reaching the MLS Cup Playoffs for a fifth consecutive season, Oscar Pareja has Orlando City SC in their third-ever Eastern Conference Semi-Final.

And ever since February 25, our loyal UK supporters have watched every kick live on Apple TV this side of the Atlantic. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs Charlotte FC – 18.09.2024

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On Saturday, Orlando City SC sealed a mature and commanding 3-0 victory over New England Revolution, maintaining our strong push towards the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs. Despite early pressure from Revs, City’s defence stood firm, and a stunning long-range strike from Rafael Santos along with a penalty from Facundo Torres and a goal from Duncan McGuire ensured a second successive 3-0 home win and a first-ever MLS regular season sweep over bogey side Revs!

Our sixth win in eight MLS games and the fifth time in seven that we’ve scored 3+ goals, the victory saw the Lions jump from seventh to fifth in the Eastern Conference, two points ahead of seventh-placed Charlotte FC. Now hosting Charlotte FC ourselves this Wednesday, completing a hat-trick of home wins would not only boost our playoff push but also our hopes of sealing a top four position and home field advantage in the Round One Best-of-3 Series of the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs.

After all, fourth-placed New York Red Bulls slipped up by losing 2-1 at Chicago Fire, meaning Orlando City SC now only trail the New Jersey side by just three points. Given our current form and consistently strong performances from key players like Dagur Dan Thórhallsson, Wilder Cartagena, and Facundo Torres, there’s a tangible sense of optimism right now. With a late-season surge very much possible, securing a top four finish is most certainly within reach – and who would’ve said that only a few months ago?

As for Wednesday’s visitors Charlotte FC, Dean Smith’s side are coming off a 2-1 defeat at CF Montréal on Saturday. Conceding two quick-fire goals to Caden Clark (23) and Bryce Duke (26), a first-ever Charlotte FC goal by Tim Ream (35) made it a one-goal game but The Crown couldn’t find a leveller, meaning the Mint City side are now winless in their last five MLS fixtures (0-3-2). Continue reading →