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Orlando City

Orlando City vs. Columbus Crew: Final Score 2-0 as Lions Stay Unbeaten on the Road

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2 years ago

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Rodrigo Schlegel and Ercan Kara scored and Pedro Gallese earned his fifth clean sheet of the season as Orlando City bested the Columbus Crew at Lower.com Field. Orlando (4-2-2, 14 points) improved to 7-6-3 in the all-time series againt the Crew (2-3-2, 8 points) and got just its second win in seven trips to Ohio’s capital city (2-4-1).

Combined with last Saturday’s home win over Chicago, the Lions put together back-to-back wins for the first time during the 2022 season. Meanwhile, the Crew suffered their third consecutive loss via shutout and Columbus is now winless in its last four (0-3-1).

“Big big result, but more important, big performance,” Orlando City Head Coach Oscar Pareja said after the match. “I have a lot of respect for this group. The players understand that this is a commitment that we all have for instruction, this is a commitment that we have for a common objective, and sometimes you may work with some difficulties. But if we all have that heart and they have that discipline, I think we are going to get many good results like tonight. We played against a very good team in a very difficult place. A fantastic performance.”

Oscar Pareja made a couple of surprise changes to the starting lineup. Kyle Smith took Ruan’s spot at right back on the back line, along with Joao Moutinho, Robin Jansson, and Schlegel, in front of goalkeeper Gallese. Junior Urso started in central midfield with Cesar Araujo. Benji Michel took Alexandre Pato’s spot in the starting XI on the attacking midfield line with Facundo Torres and Mauricio Pereyra, and Kara started up top.

Much of the first half was one-way traffic toward Gallese’s goal. Lucas Zelarayan was active and won some fouls early while Steven Moreira gave Moutinho problems down Orlando’s left side. A dangerous ball through the middle of the box in the eighth minute was dealt with.

Smith blocked a shot from Yaw Yeboah that would have been an opening goal in the 22nd minute after the Lions fell asleep on a throw-in. Torres tried a couple long-range shots in the next couple of minutes, trying to chip Eloy Room from near midfield on the first and firing over the bar from outside the area on the second.

The Crew’s closest chance for a first-half goal came in the 32nd minute. An unnecessary foul on Zelarayan by Smith set up a free kick just outside the box to Gallese’s right. Zelarayan smashed a shot that got over Gallese near the back post but crashed off the crossbar.

Moments after hitting the woodwork, the Lions got disorganized in their own end and Artur had an open look from the top of the box, but he hit his shot over the bar. Gallese went down after that shot and needed some attention from the trainers but he was able to continue.

The Lions struck against the run of play in the 37th minute. A free kick from distance was knocked down by the defense and picked up by Kara on the left side of the six. He passed back to Torres, who fizzed a dangerous low cross into the area. Urso arrived as a late runner in the box and knocked it down and it fell for Schlegel to knock in for his first Orlando City goal.

Schlegel celebrated by displaying a t-shirt under his jersey with a picture of his late father, Adrian, who died of COVID-19.

“I remember him every day, but this goal was a special moment,” Schlegel said of the celebration. “There was a lot of happiness when I scored. I know he’s overseeing and watching me and I want to dedicate the goal to him and my family. I’ll never thank my teammates enough for having that confidence in me and with their help, one enters the pitch with more confidence.” 

The Crew should have equalized in the 44th when they again got the Lions’ defense out of sorts. The ball found its way through Smith to Etienne to Gallese’s right. Etienne fired for the back post but missed wide of the net.

Orlando was able to see out the remaining time in the first half and take its lead into the break. Columbus led in possession (57.2%-42.8%), shots (8-4), corners (2-1), and passing accuracy (85.1%-79.9%) but the Lions got two shots on target, while the Crew failed to put a shot on frame in the opening half.

Orlando came out of the break with a bit more possession and better passing to start the second half. Pereyra nearly picked out Kara in the box just after the restart but the pass was just beyond the Austrian striker.

In the 48th minute, Gallese made a fantastic save on a shot by Zelarayan. The Columbus Designated Player fired from range and the ball deflected. Gallese seemed to see it late but was able to reach down and knock it away with a strong hand.

Kara got his goal a few minutes later. An incredible team goal sequence began with Michel down the left side. The winger peeled back and found Pereyra at the top of the area. Pereyra gave off to Torres, who dropped it to Urso deep. Urso shifted the ball right to Pereyra and the captain found Kara, who laid off to Torres. The Uruguayan sent it right back to his striker. Back to goal, Kara was able to spin himself around and blast a shot into the upper right corner to make it 2-0 in the 51st minute.

“They understand that things are going to bounce their way if they keep doing the good things,” Pareja said, after so many chances went wanting in recent weeks. “So, seeing that quality of the play, the combination that they had on that second goal, the many good decisions that they took, and finalizing with the number nine getting a good shot and putting the ball in the back of the net is a reward for those guys. It is a reward for them and I’m very, very happy. I really congratulate this group of players.”

Orlando bossed the game for the next several minutes as the Crew tried to regroup from the second goal. The Lions won several corner kicks but couldn’t do much with them.

As the second half wore on, Orlando City did well to limit the Crew’s chances but the Lions were extremely cautious in moving forward, opting to slow things down and take the air out of the ball rather than attack for a third. It was an effective tactic overall, despite a few silly fouls that handed Columbus unnecessary set pieces.

Gallese didn’t have to make any difficult saves in the final half hour of the match as the team in front of him did well to gum up the works for the Crew attackers. Pareja was able to give Homegrown defender Thomas Williams his first MLS minutes with a stoppage-time substitution and the Lions hung on to get the shutout.

The Crew dominated the stat sheet, with more possession (59.6%-40.4%) and shots (17-8), and a more accurate night passing (85.6%-78.8%). Each team put three shots on target and the Lions won more corners (6-5). But the important stat is the scoreboard, and the Lions’ win pulled them within two points of first-place Philadelphia, albeit with the Union holding a game in hand.

Despite the Crew having so much possession in the attacking half, the Lions did well to limit clear sights at Gallese’s goal all night and ultimately didn’t break even if they bent a lot.

“We always strive to be together defensively and to be a team that is tough to break down defensively. And, you know, we did that,” Schlegel said. “We’ve continued to stay compact as a team and all push and pull in the same direction. We had a great night on the defensive end and that’s the way — always moving together as one team and moving together in the same direction. So, if we continue working the way that we have been working, I think we’ve we’ve got a very strong chance to to fight this season.”

“I see how they’re collectively growing and it just (makes) me more content,” Pareja said of his team’s performance.

The Lions return home next Sunday when they’ll take on the New York Red Bulls.

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Orlando City

Orlando City vs. Toronto FC: Preview, How to Watch, TV Info, Live Stream, Lineups, Match Thread, and More

The Lions welcome an improved Toronto side to Orlando for an Eastern Conference battle.

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42 mins ago

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April 27, 2024

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Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

Welcome to your match thread for a Saturday night matchup between Orlando City (2-3-3, 9 points) and Toronto FC (4-4-1, 13 points) at Inter&Co Stadium (7:30 p.m., MLS Season Pass on Apple TV+). It’s the first of the two scheduled meetings between the Eastern Conference rivals this season, with the Lions set to make the return trip to Toronto on July 3.

Here’s what you need to know ahead of the match.

History

Orlando is 8-8-3 in the evenly split all-time, regular-season series. However, the Lions have won the last four meetings, sweeping the season series in 2022 and 2023. At home, Orlando is 5-4-0 against the Reds. City is currently on its longest ever unbeaten run in the series, compiling a 6-0-2 record in the last eight meetings.

The most recent meeting came on Decision Day of last season on Oct. 21, when Duncan McGuire came off the bench at BMO Field, scoring twice to beat Toronto 2-0. The teams last met in Orlando on July 4, 2023, with Orlando City putting the Reds to the sword on Independence Day, beating the Canadian side, 4-0. Cesar Araujo, McGuire, Dagur Dan Thorhallsson, and Ercan Kara scored for the Lions, and Toronto finished with 10 men after Federico Bernardeschi was shown his second yellow card just past the hour mark.

Orlando City also romped 4-0 over the Reds in the previous meeting, Sept. 17, 2022 at Exploria Stadium. Facundo Torres, Kara, and Tesho Akindele scored for the Lions to go along with a Lukas MacNaughton own goal. The Lions won on May 14, 2022 at BMO Field, 1-0, thanks to a 92nd-minute goal from Kyle Smith, who flicked a header from a corner kick cross inside the far post to lift the Lions to victory.

The Lions went 2-0-1 in three meetings with Toronto FC in 2021. The teams played to a 1-1 draw at BMO Field on July 17, 2021. Jozy Altidore came off the bench to score the opener but Nani equalized from the penalty spot minutes later. Benji Michel drew the penalty, which was originally ruled a foul on the Orlando winger but was overturned after video review by referee Marcos de Oliveira.

The other Toronto “home match” in the 2021 season series came on June 19 at Exploria Stadium. The Reds were dealing with pandemic restrictions in Canada that forced the team to play home games in the United States. Orlando City built a 2-0 early lead on goals by Akindele and Nani, only to see Toronto tie the match by halftime on goals by Ayo Akinola and Jonathan Osorio. Junior Urso scored late to lift the Lions to a 3-2 victory. The teams first met that year on May 22, with Orlando City claiming a 1-0 win on Akindele’s goal.

The teams did not play in 2020 due to the pandemic affecting the schedule. Prior to the MLS stoppage for the pandemic, the teams met most recently in Toronto on Aug. 10, 2019, with the Lions grabbing a point at BMO Field in a 1-1 draw. Michel opened the scoring in the 69th minute but the Reds equalized off a scramble following a set piece in the 77th. The other matchup between the sides that season came on May 4, 2019, when the Reds walked out of Orlando with a 2-0 win on goals by Osorio and Jay Chapman.

The teams split their season series in 2018. Orlando City captured a 2-1 win at home in James O’Connor’s first home game as head coach of the Lions on July 14, 2018. Chris Schuler and Dom Dwyer staked City to a 2-0 lead and Nick Hagglund ruined the shutout in the 94th minute off a Sebastian Giovinco free kick delivery. The 2018 meeting in Toronto saw the Reds get a 2-1 win at BMO Field on Ryan Telfer’s 87th-minute goal.

Toronto shredded Orlando in a 3-1 win on July 5, 2017. Altidore and Giovinco combined to score Toronto’s three goals. Carlos Rivas gave Orlando a consolation goal. In the first meeting of 2017, Orlando out-possessed, out-shot, and out-passed the hosts, and played like the better team on the night. However, the Lions could not overcome a two-goal deficit and Giovinco’s first-half brace led Toronto to a 2-1 win.

The Lions got their first victory in the series on June 25, 2016, winning 3-2 at Camping World Stadium. Kaká scored from the spot in the 10th minute of stoppage time to win it. Cyle Larin and Adrian Winter each gave OCSC leads in the game, only to see Jordan Hamilton and Justin Morrow equalize until the captain’s late winner. The Reds took the second 2016 matchup in Orlando with a 2-1 victory, scoring late through Altidore. Tosaint Ricketts gave Toronto an early lead but the Lions fought back on a Larin goal. The teams also drew 0-0 on Sept. 28 of that year, with Toronto able to fend off the Lions with 10 men over the final 20 minutes of the match.

In 2015, Toronto took home all nine points in the three meetings, beating Orlando by a combined score of 11-1.

Overview

Orlando City enters on a four-game unbeaten run (2-0-2), including last Saturday’s 2-2 draw at CF Montreal. The Lions are 1-1-2 at home in 2024, but the win and one of the draws came in the two most recent matches at Inter&Co Stadium.

Toronto FC has shown tremendous improvement under John Herdman early in the season despite missing several key players with injuries. The Reds, however, are 3-1-0 at home but just 1-3-1 on the road in 2024. The team had lost three straight matches overall before knocking off New England last week. Now the Reds are on a two-game winning streak in all competitions, having beaten Rovers FC 5-0 in the Canadian Championship Wednesday.

The Lions will have to track forward Prince Owusu, who paces Toronto FC with four goals on the season. No one else on Toronto has more than two goals, and sitting on two is Lorenzo Insigne, who is out for tonight with a thigh injury. Orlando will need to be aware of Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty, who leads the Reds with two assists.

But perhaps the sleeping giant is Bernardeschi, who leads Toronto FC with 37 shot attempts and 18 key passes, yet somehow has no direct goal contributions on the season. Even if he hasn’t been producing end product, the Italian has been dangerous.

“Looks like we’re getting more cohesiveness with the boys and they’re gluing more things together,” Orlando City Head Coach Oscar Pareja said ahead of the game. “We’re reviewing things and have done in prior games, but since we’re not getting results it seems like it’s not happening. In the end, you have to win games, you have to get results, so the good things get magnified and the things that aren’t being done well, seem like you need more time to fix it. It’s indeed important to get results.”  

Orlando City will be without forward Ramiro Enrique (ankle). Toronto will be without Insigne (thigh), former Lions Richie Laryea (thigh) and Shane O’Neill (thigh), and Brandon Servania (knee). In addition, Deandre Kerr (foot) is questionable.

Match Content

Projected Lineups

Orlando City (4-2-3-1)

Goalkeeper: Pedro Gallese.

Defenders: Kyle Smith, Robin Jansson, David Brekalo, Dagur Dan Thorhallsson.

Defensive Midfielders: Cesar Araujo, Wilder Cartagena.

Attacking Midfielders: Ivan Angulo, Nico Lodeiro, Facundo Torres.

Forward: Luis Muriel.

Toronto (3-4-3)

Goalkeeper: Sean Johnson.

Defenders: Nickeson Gomis, Kevin Long, Sigurd Rosted.

Wingbacks & Midfielders: Tyrese Spicer, Alonso Coello, Deybi Flores, Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty.

Forwards: Jonathan Osorio, Federico Bernardeschi, Prince Owusu.

Referees

REF: Armando Villarreal.
AR1: Cory Richardson.
AR2: Logan Brown.
4TH: Brad Jensen.
VAR: Kevin Terry, Jr.
AVAR: Jonathan Johnson.

How to Watch

Match Time: 7:30 p.m.

Venue: Inter&Co Stadium — Orlando.

TV/Streaming: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV+.

Radio: Real Radio 104.1 FM (English), Mega 97.1 FM (Spanish).

Twitter: For rapid reaction and live updates, follow along at @TheManeLand, as well as Orlando City’s official Twitter feed (@OrlandoCitySC).

Enjoy the match. Go City!

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Orlando City

Intelligence Report: Orlando City vs. Toronto FC

Get the inside scoop on Toronto FC ahead of Saturday’s match.

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1 day ago

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April 26, 2024

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Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

Another Orlando City matchday is almost upon us, and the Lions will try to extend a four-game unbeaten streak Saturday night and finish off an undefeated month of April. OCSC will do so back in the comfortable confines of home, as Toronto FC travels south for the first of two games between the teams this season.

A visit from Toronto means I caught up with Tomas Karageorgos of Waking the Red. As usual, he was very helpful in bringing us up to speed on TFC ahead of the upcoming match.

This is John Herdman’s first year in charge of Toronto. What sort of style does the team play under him?

Tomas Karageorgos: John Herdman plays a variation of a 3-4-3 or 3-4-2-1 formation that prefers to build plays out of the back. Herdman also relies on his center midfielders to win possession back and push the ball to either flank. German striker Prince Owusu’s constant pressure on opposing defenses has caused some turnovers in TFC’s favor. Owusu’s style of play has not only helped his teammates but himself as well — he has scored five goals in the club’s last six matches.

Run me through some of the additions and departures that took place during the off-season. Who are some new faces to keep an eye on?

TK: The four major additions that the club made was signing defensive midfielders Deiby Flores and Matty Longstaff; Canadian fullback Richie Laryea is back for a third time; and Irish center back Kevin Long. Flores has been described as a dog in the sense of not being afraid to get stuck into tough challenges. Longstaff was signed from Newcastle United and is beginning to play consistent minutes — he still has room to grow as he’s a young player. Long was signed from Birmingham City and has been a rock in the center of the back three. A strong aerial presence and calmness has helped to contribute to Toronto’s six clean sheets across all competitions this season. There’s not much to say about Laryea that hasn’t been said, he’s arguably the best defender in MLS when healthy. Another underrated signing was French defender Nicksoen Gomis from Sheffield United, he has had quiet-yet-consistent performances. Notable departures include Salvadoran goalkeeper Tomás Romero, Norwegian striker Adama Diomande, and club legend Michael Bradley, who retired at the conclusion of the 2023 season.

TFC has quite the list of injured players at the moment. Who has been filling in for the missing faces, and how have they looked?

TK: Lorenzo Insigne, Richie Laryea, and Shane O’Neill continue to miss action due to thigh injuries. Midfielder Brandon Servania is slated to return during the middle of the season as he is recovering from knee surgery. First overall draft pick Tyrese Spicer has filled in for Insigne and has two goals in his account for the club — he has a high work rate on both sides of the ball. Canadian youngster Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty is gaining more experience on the right side while Laryea is sidelined. Gomis and Sigurd Rosted have been taking turns covering O’Neill, and Alonso Coello is continuing to build on an impressive first season with the club in the absence of Servania.

Which players will be unavailable due to injuries, suspensions, etc.? What is your projected starting XI and score prediction?

TK: The names I noted above who are injured will be unavailable. Also, attacker Deandre Kerr is listed as questionable.

Predicted starting XI: Sean Johnson; Nickeson Gomis, Kevin Long, Sigurd Rosted; Tyrese Spicer, Alonso Coello, Deybi Flores, Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty; Jonathan Osorio, Federico Bernardeschi, Prince Owusu.

Score prediction: 1-1. 

Thank you to Tomas for his insight into Toronto FC. Vamos Orlando!

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Lion Links: 4/26/24

Orlando City gets ready for Toronto FC, Thiago Silva linked with Orlando, Marta announces international retirement, and more.

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1 day ago

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April 26, 2024

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride

I don’t know about you, but I sure am glad it’s Friday. It’s been a bit of a brutal week for me, but the weekend is nearly upon us, and I plan on spending it with my family for my dad’s birthday. I’m also hoping to find some time to read the new book that came out this week from my favorite author, Emily Henry. For now though, let’s enjoy these links from around the soccer world!

Orlando City Prepares for Toronto FC

After a shaky start to the season, the Lions are unbeaten in their past four games and can make it five when they host Toronto FC Saturday night. Toronto has lost three of its past four games, but is coming off of a 1-0 win over the New England Revolution. In the time since Oscar Pareja took over as head coach, Orlando City has won six of its seven games against Toronto. It will be the first meeting between the two with John Herdman at the helm of Toronto, so we will see if the trend of recent Orlando dominance continues. It should be a great game and is another opportunity for the Lions to climb up the table.

Thiago Silva Linked With Orlando City

Brazilian defender Thiago Silva’s contract with Chelsea ends this summer and Orlando City was mentioned as one of many reported clubs interested in signing him. Beyond the surface-level facts that Silva is an incredibly talented defender and Orlando City is a popular landing spot for South Americans who want to play in MLS, the move would not make much sense. The club signed David Brekalo this off-season and Rodrigo Schlegel is a solid option off the bench as well. Even if Orlando does want Silva, there will be plenty of competition. Returning to Fluminense is the expected choice, but Silva could stay in Europe or make the move to Saudi Arabia.

Marta Will Retire From National Team After 2024

Orlando Pride star Marta announced that 2024 will be her last year playing for Brazil. You will need a translating tool for more of the details from her interview with CNN, but she spoke on how she’s at peace with her decision to stop playing at the international level once the year is over. She made her international debut in 2002 and has since played in five Olympics for Brazil. Marta may play in her sixth this summer, and there would be global attention to see one of the greatest players ever to lead Brazil one last time. Her contract with the Pride also ends after this season, but only time will tell if this is her final season in Orlando.

Orlando’s Academy Teams Get Results Against New England

With the Generations Adidas Cup behind them, Orlando City’s U-17 and U-15 teams earned some important points against the New England Revolution’s youth squads. The U-15 team dominated New England in a 4-1 result that included a hat trick from Jakob Garcia. The match between the U-17 sides was a closer affair, as they split the points in a 1-1 draw. Orlando’s teams will play again tomorrow, with a pair of home games against Nashville SC.

Free Kicks

That’s all I have for you today. I hope you all have a fantastic Friday and rest of your weekend!

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