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Orlando City

Orlando City vs. D.C. United: Five Takeaways

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7 years ago

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Orlando City needed 17 games to reach 23 points in 2015. In 2016, the Lions didn’t reach 23 points until after the 20th game. This season, City is sitting on 23 points after 14 matches. After an awful six-game winless streak, three points were vital and the Lions captured them to stay ahead of the club’s pace from the first two years.

The club stopped the bleeding, at least momentarily, but it wasn’t easy. Orlando has an opportunity to turn things around with a couple of home matches coming up and sitting in third place in the Eastern Conference on the first day of June is a welcome change from where the team has been in the past. Still, there’s more work to be done.

Here are my five takeaways from the match:

Barnes Brings the Juice

The substitution of Giles Barnes into the game for Luis Gil in the 59th minute completely changed the energy of the match. Barnes made a sliding tackle to get his first touch of the ball just seconds after coming on and simply outworked everyone in his path. His dribble through three defenders to earn a free kick just to the left of the penalty area set up the Lions’ first goal. Immediately after winning the foul, he pumped up The Wall and his teammates, who responded.

Cyle Larin had Steve Birnbaum wrapped completely around him but he still muscled his way onto the ball to nod home the opening goal. Barnes was so pumped up that he fancied his chances with a pair of ill-advised shots that made Jason Kreis wince on the sidelines, but the second one squirted through the normally reliable hands of Bill Hamid and into the net for a much-needed insurance goal. Down the stretch, Barnes hustled to keep possession, win throw-ins, and help his team see out the three points. It was easily the Jamaican’s most impressive performance of the season and for me he was easily the Man of the Match.

Spector Saves the Day

Orlando has found a lot of ways to not win games in a horrific month of May — letting Wondo shake free late at San Jose, allowing Sporting Kansas City to make something from nothing to drop points at home for the first time, and failing to score a single goal against Minnesota’s leaky back line, just to name a few. The same almost happened against United last night in the rain. Jose Aja’s impotent back pass nearly gifted Lamar Neagle the equalizer in the 74th minute but Jonathan Spector stood between the D.C. striker and the tying goal. Specs blocked the shot up into the air and Joe Bendik recovered from coming out to try to get to Aja’s pass first — just in time to punch the ball away from Sebastien Le Toux’s head.

It was a moment that probably would have cost the Lions points any other night in May, but for once the soccer gods were kind to the purple team.

Shots Don’t Always Equal Chances

Orlando City held a 9-3 advantage in shots in the first half but you’d be hard pressed to even tell if Bill Hamid had to sweat with all the rain pouring down. The Lions’ shots were nearly all from distance — only three came from inside the box and one of those was blocked – and there was really no offensive threat to show for nearly 59% of the possession. It’s not that D.C. United was doing anything revolutionary. The visitors simply packed the middle and forced Orlando to beat them from wide areas while being physical with Larin on balls over the top. There was little menace in City’s attack until Barnes was subbed on and changed the team’s energy.

Home Sweet Home

The Lions improved to 6-1-1 at the Purple Palace and will play their next two MLS matches (plus one U.S. Open Cup game) at Orlando City Stadium. Although it was the first non-sellout in the new building – at “only” 24,112 – the crowd was just as loud and enthusiastic as usual, despite having to cheer through a midweek monsoon for much of the match. Orlando, like all MLS teams, is more comfortable at home and this has become one of the league’s top home-field advantages. The Lions have been poor on the road (again, like many MLS clubs), so these points are vital.

Spark Plug

Matias Perez Garcia has been a mixed bag since his arrival in Orlando. But against D.C. he was like an annoying little fly, buzzing around the opposition. He won four fouls in the first half alone and was second on the team with 44 touches. Although he still struggles to get his shots on frame, MPG showed a willingness to run and work that was reminiscent of when he first arrived during last year’s summer trade window. That work ethic is what the fans expect and MPG showed why Jason Kreis coveted him.

If Orlando City can routinely get these kinds of performances from Barnes and MPG, it should provide the extra offensive spark that has been lacking for much of this season.

Those are the things that stood out to me. What did you see? Let us know in the comments section below.

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Orlando City

Intelligence Report: Orlando City vs. Philadelphia Union

Get caught up with everything you need to know about the Philadelphia Union from someone who knows them best.

Published

20 hours ago

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May 10, 2024

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Image courtesy of Orlando City SC

Orlando City is set to continue a difficult May schedule Saturday, and will try to avoid a three-game losing streak in the process. This week sees the Lions travel north to face the Philadelphia Union, which will be the first of three taking place in a span of eight days, with two of those on the road, forcing Orlando to shuttle back and forth across the country.

A date with the Union means I caught up with Joe Lister of the always excellent Philadelphia Soccer Now. As usual, Joe was very helpful in getting us caught up on what’s been happening with the Union, and I also answered some of his questions about OCSC, which you can find over at their place.

Run me through Philadelphia’s off-season transfer business. Are there any new names who have stood out?

Joe Lister: Philadelphia’s transfer business is nearly nonexistent. They sold a few guys, but didn’t really bring anyone notable in. The group that will be available against Orlando on Saturday is the same group that’s been around with the team for (generally) two or three years.

Quinn Sullivan, however, has been a relevation this season. His brother, Cavan, has obviously been in the news as of late. However, Quinn, 20, has been great for Philly. He’s got great pace down the side of the pitch and has a motor that doesn’t seem to quit. If he can perfect his final touch, he’ll make the Union a good bit of money.

It’s still quite early in the season, but its strange to see the Union not occupying their typical spot near the top of the East. Is there any concern among the fanbase, or are people largely happy with what they’ve seen so far?

JL: People are upset. This team, by Philly fans’ standards, sucks. The Eastern Conference is obviously super tough this year (Miami and RBNY are worth shoutouts), but Philadelphia just isn’t performing. They nearly lost three games in a row for the first time since 2017 with their draw against D.C. United. They were saved by a blast from Jack McGlynn that they didn’t necessarily deserve.

The Union are underwhelming. The front office has operated under the impression that the teams from 2020, 2021, and 2022 can still compete in MLS. The issue is that while the league has gotten better, the Union have just gotten worse.

The Union’s only two losses of the season have come at home. Is that simply down to playing two good teams in Real Salt Lake and the Seattle Sounders, or is there something else at play there?

JL: That’s just the team being in a funk. Again, this team is underperforming by Philadelphia’s standards. Losing at home is a true showcase of how far this team has fallen. I think the Union will be fine longterm — this is a playoff team, but nothing more than that.

Will any players be unavailable due to injury, suspension, etc.? What is your projected starting lineup and score prediction?

JL: Defender Olivier Mbaizo and goalkeeper Andre Blake were both out for last match with injuries. Blake’s been in-and-out all season, but I think the team has started to realize that backup Oliver Semmle is good enough that the three-time Goalkeeper of the Year doesn’t need to always be on the pitch. Julian Carranza is also suspended due to yellow card accumulation.

Lineup (4-4-2 diamond): Oliver Semmle; Kai Wagner, Jack Elliott, Jakob Glesnes, Nathan Harriel; Jose Martinez; Leon Flach, Alejandro Bedoya; Daniel Gazdag; Quinn Sullivan, Mikael Uhre.

I think this is a 2-2 draw. Based on where the Union are at right now, Orlando will get two first-half goals, the Union will pull back in the second half. Feels like a game where Daniel Gazdag should find the net at some point.

Thank you to Joe for the inside info on the Union. Vamos Orlando!

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Lion Links

Lion Links: 5/10/24

Orlando City hits the road, Angelina has a successful knee procedure, Europa League final is set, and more.

Published

23 hours ago

on

May 10, 2024

By

Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

Happy Friday! I don’t have many plans for the weekend beyond working and looking after my friend’s cat, but I’m hoping it’s a fairly relaxing next few days. Both Orlando City and the Orlando Pride are in action tomorrow night, so make sure to plan your weekend accordingly. For now, let’s get to today’s links!

Orlando City Prepares for the Philadelphia Union

After a tough loss at home to FC Cincinnati, Orlando City hits the road for a tough match against the Philadelphia Union tomorrow night. The Lions showed plenty of fight in that loss, which included a red card to Rodrigo Schlegel and injuries to both Dagur Dan Thorhallsson and Rafael Santos. Head Coach Oscar Pareja spoke about the matchup against the Union and stated that Thorhallsson is in concussion protocol and that both he and Santos are day-to-day heading into this match.

The Lions at least won’t have to worry about Philadelphia forward Julian Carranza in this match, as he will miss it due to yellow card accumulation. Both teams have struggled in recent weeks, with the Lions winless in their last three games and the Union winless in their last four. Orlando managed to beat the Union on the road last year and will need to do it again to climb up the Eastern Conference standings.

Angelina Will Be Evaluated Weekly for Return

Orlando Pride midfielder Angelina had a successful arthroscopic procedure on her knee and will be evaluated by the club’s medical team for a return to the field on a week-to-week basis. She suffered the injury late in the Pride’s 4-1 win over the North Carolina Courage, and rookie Ally Lemos filled in for her in the team’s 1-0 win against Racing Louisville. Angelina signed with the Pride this past off-season and has been a major reason why the Pride are undefeated in 2024. The Brazilian has done well on both sides of the ball and has a goal and an assist to her name so far, while bringing stability to the midfield. Hopefully, she returns to the Pride’s midfield sooner rather than later.

Philadelphia Union Sign 14-Year-Old Cavan Sullivan

The Philadelphia Union have a penchant for developing young players and have now signed 14-year-old midfielder Cavan Sullivan to a Homegrown Player contract that will last through 2028. Sullivan, who is the brother of Quinn Sullivan, is now the fifth-youngest signing in MLS history. He excelled in the past two Generation Adidas Cups with the Union and made his debut for Philadelphia Union II earlier this year. When he turns 18, he will reportedly be transferred to Manchester City as well, so it will be interesting to see how he does in MLS until then.

Leverkusen and Atalanta Reach Europa League Final

Bayer Leverkusen and Atalanta both got the job done in second legs at home to advance to the Europa League final. The match in Germany between Leverkusen and Roma was a wild one, with Leverkusen managing yet another late comeback to draw 2-2 and advance on aggregate after winning the first leg. The draw extended Leverkusen’s unbeaten streak to 49 games and it can secure a treble by the end of the month. In the other semifinal, Atalanta cruised to a 3-0 win over Marseille. The Italian club will have a chance at silverware in the Coppa Italia final against Juventus on May 15 before the Europa League final on May 22 in Ireland.

Free Kicks

  • Enjoy these sights and sounds from the Pride’s gritty win over Racing Louisville.
  • Olivier Renard is no longer the vice president and chief sporting officer of CF Montreal, with the two sides agreeing to part ways.
  • PSV Eindhoven reportedly won’t be exercising the option to sign American right back Sergino Dest, who joined the Dutch club on loan from Barcelona last year.

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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Orlando City

Orlando City at Philadelphia Union: Three Keys to Victory

What does Orlando City need to do to earn all three points on the road at Philadelphia?

Published

2 days ago

on

May 9, 2024

By

Dan MacDonald, The Mane Land

Orlando City travels to the City of Brotherly Love hoping to get back on the winning track against the Philadelphia Union. The Union are currently in eighth place in the Eastern Conference with 14 points, and have a 3-2-5 record overall. However, the Union are 1-2-1 at home. Subaru Park hasn’t been the fortress it was in 2023 — though Orlando City did give them their first home loss last season.

Of course, the Lions are riding a two-match losing streak heading into this match. What does Orlando City need to do to take all three points from the Union on the road?

Defense, Defense, Defense

The Union have scored 19 goals so far this season and over half of them have come from Daniel Gazdag (6), and Julian Carranza (4). Obviously, stopping those two is a priority. However, the Union also have excellent midfielders in Alejandro Bedoya and Jack McGlynn — the two players that scored in the Union’s last match against DC United.

I feel like a broken record, but Orlando City’s defense needs to stop making the dumb mistakes that have resulted in way too many goals this season. Philadelphia’s attackers will punish the Lions if that is allowed to happen yet again. So please, for the sake of my sanity, stop giving up the stupid goals.

Score Some *%$#ing Goals

The Union have given up 16 goals so far this season. Philadelphia is not some impenetrable defense, meaning the Lions should have chances to score against the Union. The bigger questions is: Will Orlando City find the back of the net? The dearth of goals so far this season is a great source of frustration for all who support this club. It’s not necessarily the shots that go in — though that does stink — but the missed opportunities.

Orlando City has had more passes/crosses just past a toe or just over a head, and more bobbled balls at a player’s feet than I care to count this season. The missed opportunities are a good reason for the results we’ve seen. I’ve spent plenty of time wishing for Facundo Torres, Luis Muriel, and Martin Ojeda to start scoring. Now, I’ll be happy with any player putting it in the back of the net. Robin Jansson header? Yes, please. Michael Halliday deflects it in with his face? I’ll take it. Own goal by the opposition? Bring it on. Just score some darn goals.

Find the Formula

I’m not certain why it’s taking Oscar Pareja so long to figure out the balance for this club. Most of the players from last season are there, but for some reason the recipe is off. There are a few new players and there have been some injuries to deal with, but the switch needs to be flipped. Pareja needs to figure out which players can turn it around.

It might be the players who haven’t made the necessary adjustments. Perhaps it’s just bad luck. Regardless, every coach and player needs to pull it together to get the ship righted. Preseason expectations might need to be adjusted, but we can still hold out hope for a turnaround. This weekend against the Union is a perfect time for that to start.

That is what I will be looking for Saturday night. Let me know your thoughts in the comments below. Vamos Orlando!

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