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Has a Season of Key Absences Finally Worn Orlando City Down?

Published

11 years ago

August 17, 2015

Orlando City is currently just outside the Eastern Conference playoff race after a poor run of form that began after a draw at Real Salt Lake on July 4, while playing down a man for the vast majority of that match. Since that hard-fought 1-1 draw, the Lions are just 1-5-1 in league play (1-6-1 in all competitive matches) and have tumbled down the Eastern Conference table.

Injuries, suspensions and international absences have been a problem all season for a team that lacked depth. The team has experienced similar absences in the first 18 MLS matches as it has during the recent swoon. But the cumulative effect of being shorthanded and shuffling lineups through the dog days of the season certainly appear to be affecting the club.

It isn't just the results.

A lethargy has crept over the team, particularly in recent weeks, prompting harsh post-game words by Head Coach Adrian Heath, particularly in recent games such as yesterday’s 4-0 loss at Seattle, in addition to last week’s 4-1 loss at Toronto and the 3-1 U.S. Open Cup loss at Chicago on July 22. Heath also said his club was lucky not to have lost its home match vs. Philadelphia last week, as the club faded down the stretch.

Since the Real Salt Lake match, Orlando City has been badly out-shot in four of eight matches, including 21-5 at both Seattle and Toronto, 20-8 at Chicago in the U.S. Open Cup match, and 14-5 by FC Dallas at home. In those games, the Lions have mustered only four shots on target. Total.

In fact, opponents have a 52-21 edge in shots on target in the last eight competitive matches. The team can't muster an effective attack and seem hard-pressed to keep up with attackers in front of their own goal. They seem worn down.

Are all the missing pieces finally catching up with Orlando City?

Since the start of the season, the club has endured several long-term injuries and periodic international absences. Some, like Tally Hall's delayed start to the season, were expected. Hall missed the team's first 10 MLS matches.

Most of the missing players, however, were a surprise. For example, the club expected veteran striker Martin Paterson to serve as an effective leader to provide goals and give players like Cyle Larin and Bryan Rochez time to develop. Paterson missed 17 matches due to multiple injuries and one more due to personal leave before he and the club parted ways recently.

Starting right wing Kevin Molino was expected to provide a midfield link-up partner for Kaká, and potentially to spell the Brazilian at center mid over the course of a long, grueling MLS campaign. Molino has missed 17 matches already and is out for the remainder of the season. Molino’s injury forced Brek Shea forward from left back to left wing, but he’s missed 12 games this season, including the last eight due to injury, three for international duty and one for a red card suspension.

Even key backups, who were expected to provide depth and give the club relief when starters went down have been lost for prolonged stretches. Midfielder Tony Cascio has already missed 22 games this season. Lewis Neal has been out for 12 games. Pedro Ribeiro was an early bright spot in relief of Paterson and then he tore a hamstring and went down for seven games.

Recently, Rafael Ramos has been a crucial absence on the right side, missing the last five games through injury just as Molino’s replacement, Adrian Winter, arrived.

Most clubs can weather even multiple key starters being out, at least for awhile. But it's possible that the continuing grind of missing pieces has worn an already thin team down to the point it can no longer function at a level that will allow any sustained success. The team dominated Columbus a couple of weeks ago, but was unable to carry any of that momentum forward to Toronto with captain Kaká sidelined with a knock.

The reinforcements who have recently arrived haven't had time to integrate with the team and they are likely to struggle to find any rhythm when paired with different players, week in and week out.

By my unofficial count, below is a list of the key player absences for Orlando City this season. For the purposes of this discussion, I have considered someone a "key player" if they would likely have been in the 18 with a full, healthy lineup available. You could technically add Amobi Okugo's one-game suspension to this list if you're so inclined.

GK Tally Hall – 10 games missed (10 via injury)
LB Luke Boden – 1 game missed (1 via suspension)
CB Aurelien Collin – 5 games missed (4 via injury, 1 via suspension)
CB Seb Hines – 2 games missed (2 via injury)
RB Rafael Ramos – 7 games missed (5 via injury, 1 via suspension, 1 via international duty)
DM Cristian Higuita – 5 games missed (4 via injury, 1 via suspension)
DM Darwin Ceren – 3 games missed (3 via international duty)
LW Brek Shea – 12 games missed (8 via injury, 1 via suspension, 3 via international duty)
CM Kaká – 2 games missed (1 via injury, 1 via suspension)
RW Kevin Molino – 17 games missed (17 via injury)
FW Cyle Larin – 4 games missed (4 via international duty)
FW Pedro Ribeiro – 7 games missed (7 via injury)
MF Carlos Rivas – 4 games missed (4 via injury)
FW Martin Paterson – 18 games missed (17 via injury, 1 via personal leave)
MF Lewis Neal – 12 games missed (12 via injury)
MF Tony Cascio – 22 games missed (22 via injury)
FW Bryan Rochez – 9 games missed (9 via international duty/visa issues)

The Lions have already amassed an incredible 140 man-games missed by the above 17 key players, including 113 of those through injuries. Six players have missed double-digit games, including four would-be starters.

And it won't end soon. Defender Tyler Turner and midfielder Darwin Ceren will each miss the next match via suspension. Shea, Hines and Ramos are all yet to return from injuries, although they are getting closer. Some players have international responsibilities in the upcoming weeks. With so much turbulence in the lineup, it's astounding Orlando has any playoff shot at all, when you really think about it.

All teams may go through injuries, call-ups and suspensions, but few can claim as many lost man-games as the Lions have faced in this inaugural MLS season. Let's hope the return of a few key players along with the recent summer signings will bolster the team over the season's final weeks.

Podcasts

SkoPurp Soccer Episode 144: Gotham Rewind, Seattle Preview, and More

The Pride finished their home schedule with a loss to Gotham and hope to finish their road schedule with a win in Seattle.

Published

1 week ago

October 28, 2026

Michael Citro

Image of Solai Washington running onto a ball behind the Gotham defense.

Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Jeremy Reper

The Orlando Pride tried to send their fans home happy in their regular-season home finale, but despite an impressive overall performance against the league leaders, the Pride wasted numerous chances in front of goal and paid for two big mistakes at the back in what ultimately ended as a 2-1 loss in a season filled with far too many defeats. Solai Washington did so many things well, but despite a month’s worth of chances, she could only muster one goal. Still, it was a promising outing albeit in a developing story that won’t continue much longer this year.

We discuss the key plays, players, and moments, look back at our score predictions from last week, and select our Player of the Match.

This week’s mailbagbox asked us about Marta, the reasons for the Pride’s struggles in 2026, and more. Remember, you can ask us anything by hitting us up on Twitter at either @TheManeLand or @SkoPurpSoccer and using the hashtag #AskSkoPurp. You can use that same hashtag and hit @TheManeLand.bsky.social up on Bluesky. Or you can visit our show page, scroll down, and fill out the handy form. We’d also appreciate any ratings or reviews you can leave wherever you get your podcasts, and if you do that on Apple Podcasts, we’ll find them easily and read them on the show.

Finally, we look ahead to Sunday’s season finale at the Seattle Reign. The Pride opened their 2026 season with a home loss to the Reign but would like to close it with a road win over Seattle to enter the off-season on a positive note. It won’t be easy, as the Reign are clinging to the last playoff spot and trying to catch rival Portland as multiple teams are trying to catch them. We look at Orlando’s attempt to play spoiler, check back on the series history, compare the teams’ positions in the table, provide our key matchups, and more.

Here’s how Episode 144 went down:

0:15 – The Pride finished their home schedule with a good performance but another poor result against the league’s top team.

20:07 – Our mailbagbox has questions about the GOAT.

38:26 – Seattle was the first 2026 opponent and will be the last 2026 opponent. We preview for the last time this season.

Podcasts

SkoPurp Soccer Episode 140: Bay FC Rewind, San Diego Preview, and More

The Pride keep their playoff hopes alive by eliminating Bay FC but things get tougher with San Diego visiting Friday.

Published

1 month ago

September 30, 2026

Michael Citro

Image of Jacquie Ovalle dribbling toward the Bay FC defense.

Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Justin Glatt

The Orlando Pride remained perfect on the road against Bay FC with a 3-1 win on Sunday. Deuces were wild, as Haley McCutcheon, who wears jersey No. 2, scored in the second minute of both halves, and her two goals in California gave the midfielder her second brace of both the 2026 NWSL season and her career. Barbra Banda figured heavily in pulling defenders out of position on two of the three Orlando goals and assisted on Jacquie Ovalle’s right-footed thunderbolt in stoppage time to put the game away. But make no mistake, it’s not as if the Pride played well, turning the ball over often and conceding 28 shot attempts to the hosts.

We break down a road win that may have been more exhausting to watch than to play in (although I wouldn’t bet on it), check back on our score predictions, and make our selections for Player of the Match.

This week’s mailbagbox asked us about Haley McCutcheon, where to most strongly place the blame for the Pride’s disappointing season, and more. Remember, you can ask us anything by hitting us up on Twitter at either @TheManeLand or @SkoPurpSoccer and using the hashtag #AskSkoPurp. You can use that same hashtag and hit @TheManeLand.bsky.social up on Bluesky. Or you can visit our show page, scroll down, and fill out the handy form. We’d also appreciate any ratings or reviews you can leave wherever you get your podcasts, and if you do that on Apple Podcasts, we’ll find them easily and read them on the show.

Finally, we looked ahead to Friday, when Orlando will host San Diego Wave FC, looking to both complete a season sweep and to keep its faint playoff hopes alive. We look at the series history, provide our key matchups for the contest, and make our predictions for the final score.

Here’s how Episode 140 went down:

0:15 – The Pride improved to 2-1-1 under Yolanda Thomas, but a lot of good Cosette Morche saves were required to get that second win.

20:00- The mailbagbox asks us to play the blame game.

33:36 – The Pride continue to face California-based competition, but Friday’s opponent is much higher in the table than Sunday’s was.

Orlando City

Orlando City vs. San Jose Earthquakes: Preview, How to Watch, TV Info, Live Stream, Lineups, Match Thread, and More

Orlando City restarts its 2026 MLS campaign late tonight out west at San Jose.

Published

4 months ago

July 22, 2026

Michael Citro

Image of Braian Ojeda taking a shot in a friendly against FC Dallas.

Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Justin Glatt

Welcome to your match thread for a late night midweek matchup tonight between Orlando City (4-9-2, 14 points) and the San Jose Earthquakes (10-3-2, 32 points) at PayPal Park (10:30 p.m., Apple TV). This is the only scheduled meeting between the teams in 2026 and the first time the teams have met since 2024.

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

History

Orlando City is 3-1-3 in the previous seven MLS meetings with the Quakes since the club joined Major League Soccer in 2015. The Lions got their only away win in the series in the last meeting and enter tonight 1-1-2 on the road against San Jose.

The teams last met on May 18, 2024, with Jack Lynn coming off the bench to score the game’s only goal. Lynn’s strike in the 89th minute broke the scoreless deadlock and lifted the Lions to a 1-0 victory.

The teams met in Orlando most recently way back on June 22, 2021, with the Lions beating the Quakes down, 5-0. Orlando got things started with an early penalty kick goal by Nani, followed by braces from Benji Michel and Daryl Dike to easily put the game away. The lasting memory from the game is Michel’s celebratory dance wearing a cowboy hat that came out of the stands.

Prior to that Orlando City romp, the last time the teams met was on Aug. 31, 2019 when the Lions got freight trained 3-0 at Avaya Stadium, giving the Quakes their first win in the series. San Jose’s offense came via a Chris Wondolowski brace and an early opening goal by Magnus Eriksson. Orlando looked flat and weary out of the gate.

The Lions were victorious in Exploria Stadium in the 2018 meeting on April 21, a 3-2 Orlando win. It was the first win in the series for either side after three straight draws. Chris Mueller, Sacha Kljestan, and Dom Dwyer gave the Lions a 3-0 lead before Florian Jungwirth pulled two back in the game’s late stages.

The Lions led all of the first three matches in the second half only to see San Jose pull level, with two of those tying goals coming late. In the 2017 meeting, Carlos Rivas finally broke the scoreless tie and gave Orlando City the lead in the 81st minute, but Wondolowski spoiled the Lions’ night with an equalizer two minutes later as the teams drew at Avaya Stadium, 1-1.

In 2016, the Lions were gut-punched in the 94th minute in an emotional match that ended in a 2-2 draw. It was the first home match following the Pulse nightclub tragedy and what appeared to be a storybook ending to a cathartic win turned sour on a last-gasp equalizer by Shea Salinas. Seb Hines — now the Orlando Pride’s head coach — opened the scoring for Orlando, only to see Chad Barrett tie it up. Julio Baptista restored the lead in stoppage time, but Salinas ruined everything.

The two teams also drew in the first meeting, a 1-1 affair at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, with the Lions down to 10 men after Brek Shea was sent off in the first half. Kaká and Wondolowski each scored from the penalty spot four minutes apart in that initial meeting.

Overview

The teams meet tonight to get their post-World Cup portion of the season started. Orlando City has been terrible on the road all season long, keeping only one MLS opponent under two goals all year away from home and allowing five goals twice (at New York City FC and Nashville) and six goals twice (at LAFC and in the team’s most recent match away at FC Cincinnati just before the break).

Orlando City is a putrid 1-6-1 on the road this season, and now the Lions must face the Western Conference co-leaders tonight before coming home to face Supporters’ Shield-leading Nashville SC at home on Saturday. They’ll have to play at least tonight’s game without Martin Ojeda, who is out with a thigh injury sustained some time between his first-half goal a week ago in a friendly against FC Dallas and the time the availability report dropped on Tuesday.

But it isn’t all bad news for the Lions, who should have both Antoine Griezmann and Dike in the lineup. Griezmann was the club’s highly prized and widely publicized summer Designated Player signing, while Dike’s return to Orlando came together more recently, following his departure from West Bromwich Albion. They’ll help the club’s offense, but the attack hasn’t been the issue in 2026 — it’s been the historically porous defense, which is on pace to shatter the MLS record for goals conceded.

Meanwhile, San Jose is one of the first half of the season’s biggest surprises, as the Quakes have been outstanding in 2026. Scoring 34 goals while conceding just 15, San Jose is among the league leaders in goals scored (tied for third), goals conceded (third), and goal differential (+19, third).

The Earthquakes are 4-2-1 at home and are coming off a 3-1 road win at Portland in their last game prior to the World Cup break. San Jose boasts Golden Boot challenger Preston Judd, who leads the Quakes with 11 goals, adding two assists in his 15 appearances. Ousseni Bouda has chipped in five goals and three assists. Niko Tsakiris leads the team with seven assists to go along with his two goals, but he’s still recovering from a lower body injury and is not available tonight. However, the arrival of Timo Werner (four goals and five assists in just seven games) has truly elevated Bruce Arena’s Quakes, and he’ll need to be one of the main focal points for the Orlando defense.

To have any shot at taking something from this game, the Lions will need to play better road defense than they have all season. Orlando can score goals, but with Ojeda out, Griezmann will need to adapt quickly, and someone other than the team’s leading scorer will need to find the net.

The Lions will play without Ojeda (thigh), Joran Gerbet (knee), Nolan Miller (knee), Colin Guske (international duty), and Clovis Archage (international duty). In addition, Marco Pasalic may or may not have returned to the team after the World Cup. He was not in training Monday, although interim head coach Martin Perelman said he expected the Croatian back soon. The Earthquakes will be without Nonso Adimabua (lower body), former Lion Earl Edwards Jr. (lower body), DeJuan Jones (lower body), and Tsakiris (you guessed it, lower body…come on, San Jose).

Match Content

Our most recent PawedCast includes our key matchups and score predictions for tonight’s match.

Official Lineups:

Orlando City (4-4-2)

Goalkeeper: Maxime Crepeau.

Defenders: Adrian Marin, David Brekalo, Robin Jansson, Griffin Dorsey.

Midfielders: Ivan Angulo, Braian Ojeda, Eduard Atuesta, Tiago.

Forwards: Justin Ellis, Antoine Griezmann.

Bench: Javier Otero, Bernardo Rhein, Tahir Reid-Brown, Zakaria Taifi, Iago, Wilder Cartagena, Luis Otavio, Harvey Sarajian, Tyrese Spicer

San Jose Earthquakes (4-2-3-1)

Goalkeeper: Angus Gunn.

Defenders: Jamar Ricketts, Reid Roberts, Daniel Munie, Benjamin Kikanovic.

Defensive Midfielders: Beau Lerouox, Ronaldo Vieira.

Attacking Midfielders: Timo Werner, Nick Fernandez, Ousseni Bouda.

Forwards: Preston Judd.

Bench: Jonathan Gonzalez, Dave Romney, Paul Marie, Jack Skahan, Jack Jasinski, Ian Harkes, Francesco Montali, Max Floriani, Darius Johnson.

Referees

REF: Elijio Arreguin.
AR1: Adam Wienckowski.
AR2: Mike Nickerson.
4TH: Timothy Ford.
VAR: Jose Carlos Rivero.
AVAR: TJ Zablocki.

How to Watch

Match Time: 10:30 p.m.

Venue: PayPal Park — San Jose, CA.

TV/Live Stream: Apple TV.

Radio: AM 810 FOX Sports Radio Orlando (English), Mega 97.1 FM (Spanish), Nossa Rádio 1160 AM-WRLZ (Portuguese).

Social Media: For rapid reaction and live updates, follow us on Bluesky Social at @themaneland.bsky.social or follow Orlando City’s official Twitter (@OrlandoCitySC) or Bluesky (@OrlandoCitySC) feed.

Enjoy the match. Go City!