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Intelligence Report: Orlando City at D.C. United

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Well, here it is, the proverbial six-point game. Orlando City (7-9-13, 34 points) visits D.C. United (7-9-13, 34 points) in a pivotal match in the race for the Eastern Conference playoffs. A draw serves little purpose other than to keep both teams alive, but with the resurgent New England Revolution taking on Columbus Crew SC tomorrow night, a point would likely only cause both teams to lose ground to the Revs.

The winning team tonight — provided there is one, which is by no means assured with each of these teams amassing 13 draws so far this season — will get a huge leg up on the other with four matches remaining. The losing side will sustain a major blow to its playoff chances.

That’s the backdrop we face heading into tonight’s game at RFK Stadium. While a loss wouldn’t mathematically eliminate the Lions from the postseason, the odds of climbing back above the red line would start to slide into lottery territory. In short, Orlando City must win this game or escape with no worse than a draw, which is a pretty big ask in a place like RFK.

Here to give us the scoop on D.C. as we prepare for tonight’s match is Ben Bromley, a managing editor from SB Nation’s United blog, Black and Red United.

Well, our teams managed to make it into late September without facing each other. Obviously a lot has changed for United since we last met. Which key players have come and gone since we last met and how have those changes impacted the team?

Ben Bromley: So many players have come and gone this year, its already a whole new team from just the start of the season. United and Orlando last met in the regular season in June of 2015, making this 15 months in between games for two teams in the same conference (oh, MLS).

The defense is basically the same with Bobby Boswell, Steve Birnbaum, and Taylor Kemp anchoring the line in front of Bill Hamid. The front six, however, is completely different. Gone are Perry Kitchen, Jairo Arrieta, Fabian Espindola, and Davy Arnaud; Chris Rolfe suffered a concussion and is out for the rest of the season (and could be forced to retire); Nick DeLeon is still on the team and active, but after a half season starting in central midfield, has been relegated to the bench.

The central midfield is now run by Luciano Acosta, United’s Argentine playmaker, with Rob Vincent and Marcelo Sarvas in support. Patrick Nyarko and Lloyd Sam are the wingers, and Patrick Mullins leads the line. This group is much more effective than anything else United has tried this year, but finishing can still be a problem. They can score six goals, or they can be forced to have Boswell and Birnbaum save them. If they can get things going, they will score; if not, it will be a long day.

With only one win in the last six, United haven’t been in their finest form, yet the team has also only lost one of those games. Is the fan base taking the “glass half empty” or “glass half full” approach to this recent run of form?

BB: It’s actually a little bit of both; I feel like most people are tantalized and frustrated by the promise that the team is showing, especially their ridiculous ability to come back in stoppage time in three straight games. However, those three exciting games only produced two points. If Boswell especially, and the rest of the defense can re-find their early season form, they might not need these late-game comebacks. However, that will be difficult without Sean Franklin. 

United has a completely revamped attacking group from a year ago. What should Jason Kreis and the Lions do defensively to maximize their chances of keeping DC off the score sheet?

BB: Make Patrick Mullins take low percentage shots and, hilariously, don’t give up set pieces that will allow Steve Birnbaum to dominate the air. Birnbaum has finally made good on his offensive promise, becoming a dominant aerial presence during United’s unbeaten streak. He can score goals, he can set up his teammates, and he simply cannot be stopped in the air right now. So, don’t give up set pieces for him to provide on. (The fact that he is United’s best offensive weapon is another story that cannot possibly be sustained, but its where we are right now.)

Patrick Mullins can be very hot or very cold, so forcing him into low percentage shots will prevent him from getting going. If he’s allowed to get in a rhythm, he can get United’s whole attack ticking, and bringing in Patrick Nyarko, Lloyd Sam, and Luciano Acosta will make the day even longer. Speaking of Acosta, he had a bad game last week; if Orlando can keep him off his game, they can take away United’s central midfield.  

Are there any players missing through injury/suspension this weekend? Can you give us your predicted starting XI and final score?

BB: The only starter missing is Sean Franklin; he has been recently replaced by Luke Mishu, but Mishu has had two bad games in a row. I hope that backup center back Jalen Robinson plays right back instead, but I don’t know if that will actually happen. Other than right back, the starting XI will be fairly standard: Bill Hamid; Robinson/Mishu, Steve Birnbaum, Bobby Boswell, Taylor Kemp; Rob Vincent; Patrick Nyarko, Marcelo Sarvas, Luciano Acosta, Lloyd Sam; Patrick Mullins.

With United at home and needing this game badly, my prediction for our site was a 2-1 victory for the Black and Red, so I will stick with that.


Major thanks to Ben for providing his insight into Orlando City’s opponents for tonight.

Orlando City

Ranking Orlando City’s Home Kits

Where does the new Perfect Storm kit rank all time?

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Photo Courtesy of Orlando City / Mark Thor

Orlando City dropped the newest home kit yesterday. As such, I thought it appropriate to rank all of the MLS-era home kits for the Lions to see how the new “Perfect Storm” kit stacks up against those from the past. I will be the first to admit I’m no fashion guru, but I do know what I like.

We all get to have our own opinions on this type of thing, but since I’m writing the article, I get final say. Let’s rank Orlando City’s home kits.

Sixth Place

Photo of Chris Mueller wearing the Bring the Noise kit.

The 2019-2020 “Bring the Noise” kit starts things off in sixth place. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with this kit, but it is pretty plain for it’s moniker. The shoulder stripes don’t stand out because they are black, the pattern is…fine, and it’s the first to sport the new Orlando Health logo. Putting it in sixth doesn’t mean I don’t like it or that there’s something wrong about it. It just means I like the other kits better.

Fifth Place

Kaka wearing the City Kit.

The 2015-2016 inaugural home kit — known as the “City Kit” — comes in at the fifth spot on the list. Consideration was given for it being the original kit of the MLS era, though that isn’t all it has going for it. The old school Orlando Health logo with the swirly circle,and the gold overlap collar contrasted with the white Adidas stripes…love it. You never forget your first, and this kit is no exception.

Fourth Place

A close-up photo of the Perfect Storm kit.

The new 2025-2026 “Perfect Storm” debuts in fourth place on our list. To be fair, I have not yet seen it in person, but I’m comfortable with the assessment. There are some things to like on the kit. I like the idea of each kit being unique because the pattern is random. That means your kit is really your kit. There’s a throwback element with the gold on the collar while using white trim for the logos and the shoulder stripes. The pattern is a little busy for me, but I get what they are going for with it. Not a bad addition for anyone’s collection.

Third Place

Benji Michel and friends wearing the Thick 'N Thin kit.

The 2021-2022 “Thick N Thin” kit has a lot going for it at the third spot on the list. I like the dark purple at the top, and the two-button collar is very cool. I like the consistency of the white trim around the sleeves with the white logos and shoulder stripes. There’s also the fact that this is the kit Orlando City wore when the Lions lifted the 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup trophy. Throw in a cowboy hat and it’s a classic.

Second Place

Kyle Smith photo in "The Wall" kit.

The 2023-2024 “The Wall” kit is absolutely outstanding. The bricks in the wall pattern representing the supporters’ section at Inter&Co Stadium (Exploria at the time) is a great tribute. The all-gold trim pieces on the shoulder stripes, the collar, the Adidas logo, and the sleeves look amazing. This kit is refined with a royal look. Like Kyle Smith, I give this kit two thumbs up. That’s why it’s number two on our list.

First Place

Kaka posing with an award while wearing the collared jersey from 2017 and 2018.

The 2017-2018 home kit was so cool that they didn’t even need to give it a nickname. Whenever I want to let someone know which one I’m talking about I say it’s the one with the collar. This was the first kit to use gold on the shoulder stripes. The heathered material is different than any other kit, and the fact that it has a collar means you can wear it to work without getting in trouble.

It was also the first kit in the — at that time — Orlando City Stadium which is why it has the longitude and latitude coordinates for the stadium on the sleeve. This is one of the best kits ever produced for any club in my opinion. That is why it tops off our list in the number one spot.


There you have it. In case you’re wondering I will most likely be getting the new Perfect Storm kit for myself. As for the rankings, that’s just one man’s opinion on the topic, and I’d love to hear how you rank them in the comments below. For now, you can select the spot where you’d place the Perfect Storm kit in the poll below. Vamos Orlando!

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Lion Links

Lion Links: 2/13/25

Orlando City unveils 2025 primary kit, Orlando Pride sign two players to short-term contracts, FC Dallas signs Luciano Acosta, and more.

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Image courtesy of Orlando City SC

How’s it going, Mane Landers? It’s been a fairly busy week for me, but it’s at least made the week fly by as we get another day closer to the return of Orlando soccer. In the meantime, I’m knocking out some more books for my reading goal this year and have a bachelor party of all things to attend this Valentine’s Day weekend. But for now, let’s dive into today’s links!

Meet Orlando City’s Perfect Storm Kit

We now know the new primary jersey Orlando City will wear for the 2025 season, as the club revealed the “Perfect Storm” kit. The most notable feature is that each jersey will have a unique design of the purple storm pattern meant to reflect Central Florida weather. It also features Orlando’s area code on the back of the neck arranged to look like a lightning bolt, which is a nice touch. Ultimately, I think I like the previous The Wall kit a bit more, but I do like the colors and how easily you can tell the difference between each jersey. It’s available now online and you can also head to Inter&Co Stadium to pick it up in person.

Orlando Pride Sign Two Non-Roster Invitees

The Orlando Pride signed midfielder Aryssa Mahrt and goalkeeper DeAira Jackson to short-term contracts ahead of the 2025 season. Both were non-roster invitees at Orlando’s preseason camp this year and fill a couple of active roster spots for the time being. Mahrt joins the Pride after recording 21 goals and 15 assists across 62 matches at the University of Wisconsin, leading the Badgers with 10 goals last year. As for Jackson, she had nine shutouts last year with Grand Canyon University and was named 2024 WAC Goalkeeper of the Year. She had a total of 16 clean sheets during her two seasons at Grand Canyon, breaking the school record.

Luciano Acosta Heads to FC Dallas

Midfielder Luciano Acosta was officially traded by FC Cincinnati to FC Dallas in exchange for just $5 million and up to another $1 million if performance-based metrics are reached. Cincinnati will also retain a percentage if Acosta is traded within MLS for cash in the future. The 30-year-old is one of the best playmakers in the league and had 14 goals and 19 assists last season. He now joins a Dallas team that missed the playoffs last year and bid farewell to Jesus Ferreira, Alan Velasco, and Paul Arriola in the time since.

As for Cincinnati, it will reportedly replace Acosta with Portland Timbers star Evander for $12 million, along with add-ons. Evander’s 19 assists last season was tied with Acosta for the league’s most, and he had a whopping 15 goals as well. The dominos continue to fall from there, as the Timbers are reportedly close to signing David da Costa from RC Lens for a $6 million transfer fee. Gosh, if only Orlando City had a major sale this winter so that it could get in on this kind of spending as well.

More MLS 2025 Kits Revealed

Orlando City isn’t the only club showcasing its new kit this week, as several clubs across the league shared new looks. My favorite of the bunch belongs to Portland, which celebrated its 50th anniversary with a green and gold design using a tree ring pattern to literally show the club’s age. I also like the Columbus Crew’s oozing “Goosebumps” kit designed by Columbus native R.L. Stine that has a slime pattern when under UV light.

The New England Revolution’s new secondary kit looks nice but feels like something plucked from Nigeria’s cutting room floor. LAFC’s 2025 kit is as blindingly white and gold as expected, and FC Dallas’ lacks red for something called “The Inferno” kit, apart from a hellish version of its badge that I do like. While the shades of pink in Inter Miami’s new primary reminds me of someone mixing red into a load of white laundry, my least favorite kit so far belongs to the Philadelphia Union. The yellow meant to represent electricity just isn’t bold enough in my opinion. I’ve seen some people say it looks like streaks of urine in snow and it’s difficult to see anything else after that.

Free Kicks

  • Retired defensive midfielders Dax McCarty and Osvaldo Alonso are two of the five new faces joining the MLS Season Pass broadcasting team for 2025. Former Lion Miguel Gallardo will remain part of the Spanish language coverage as an analyst.
  • The LA Galaxy officially acquired Christian Ramirez from the Crew in exchange for up to $500,000 in General Allocation Money. The 33-year-old has scored eight goals in the past two seasons.
  • Christian Pulisic stated he’s focused on his play on the field amid reports that AC Milan is nearing a contract extension with him through 2028 that would include a hefty pay raise.
  • In the UEFA Champions League, Club Brugge beat Atalanta 2-1, thanks to a penalty kick in stoppage time; Benfica won 1-0 against Monaco; Bayern Munich beat Celtic 2-1; and Feyenoord managed to win 1-0 over AC Milan in the rain in Rotterdam.
  • Here’s what to watch for in today’s slate of Europa League action. The first leg between Porto and Roma should be a close affair in Portugal, while Galatasaray will be without suspended forward Victor Osimhen when it takes on AZ Alkmaar.
  • Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the United Kingdom revealed that alcohol will not be sold at the 2034 World Cup, including at hotels.
  • The final Merseyside derby match at Goodison Park was a memorable one for the home fans, as Everton’s James Tarkowski scored a late equalizer to draw 2-2 against Liverpool. After the final whistle, four people were sent off, including Liverpool manager Arne Slot.
  • The U-17 USMNT took care of St. Kitts & Nevis 7-0 and has now outscored its opposition 29-0 through two matches. The Baby Nats will face Cuba Saturday. The U.S. would win the group with a draw or better.

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

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Orlando City

Orlando City Unveils New Perfect Storm Kit Ahead of 2025 MLS Season

The Lions’ new kits are meant to represent the uniqueness and intensity of the Central Florida weather.

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Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

Orlando City unveiled the club’s new home “Perfect Storm” kit today. The new home purple kit is meant to evoke the intensity of the Central Florida weather, and features a lightning bolt (called a “thunderbolt” by the club) made out of the Orlando area code, 407, on the back of the neck and a jocktag with a doppler radar storm icon. Per the club, no two kits will have the exact same pattern.

The Perfect Storm kit will be available on MLSStore.com and on OCMobileShop.com, with pick-up at The Den at Inter&Co Stadium starting Thursday during regular business hours.

“This kit is a tribute to our fans who have supported us day in and day out, through everything, rain or shine,” said Orlando City Chief Marketing Officer Pedro Araujo in a club press release. “It is also inspired by our players’ ability to thrive in adverse weather conditions, and a reminder that Inter&Co Stadium is one of the toughest environments in Major League Soccer for visiting teams to compete in.”

The Perfect Storm Kit will be first available to fans at the club’s official jersey launch tonight at 6 p.m. at Canvas (1401 Florida Mall Ave.). Fans can purchase the new shirt and have it customized. The first 200 fans in attendance to purchase the new kit will receive an exclusive CITYiD patch

The Lions will first wear the new kit at their home opener against the Philadelphia Union on Saturday, Feb. 22.

Here are some shots of the new kit:

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