A Sort of Homecoming

“And now I’m coming home, I’m coming home to you again.” This New Found Glory song has been stuck in my head all week as we head into this weekend’s match against the Vancouver Whitecaps. Just me? That makes sense. At 32, I still have an unhealthy obsession with pop punk. I don’t think it’s a secret that losing Scott Sutter this season is a wound that has yet to heal. Sutter and PC made their way to Vancouver’s roster, but will they be coming home for the weekend to the Purple Palace?

Last season, Sutter seemed to save us in stoppage time again and again — not necessarily to save us with a win, but a to tie up the game (hello, New England Revolution and Philadelphia Union) to ensure the OCSC didn’t leave all three points behind. Signed in 2017, and quick to become a fan favorite, Sutter seemed to be the answer under (then) Head Coach Jason Kreis. A knee injury had him out of the lineup for months in 2018, but when he returned, he returned as his dependable self. Sutter was a threat both on the defense and with his attacking presence. You can read more of his season in review from our very own Sean Rollins.

To not see him return this season was a shock to many as he continued to prove himself an asset defensively and offensively. I feel like whoscored.com says it best when they say, “Player has no significant weaknesses.” I haven’t gone through a breakup since I was 16, but this felt like that kind of heartache. I’m pretty sure I’m still trying to work through this.

So where is he this season? Our beloved Scott landed a spot with the Vancouver Whitecaps. Clearly, they don’t know what they have in him as he’s only made three appearances and played just over 220 minutes. They’re not having a great start to the season, with only five points as they look to take three from Orlando City this weekend, but they got a huge win over LAFC in the midweek.

Sutter’s averaging a 79% passer rating. There’s no guarantee he’ll make the 18 and head down this way, but if he does make the trek and sees the pitch, I can only hope his former friends and teammates remember his style of play and how to both get around him and shut him down on the attack.

PC was a player we both loved and got frustrated with. Scoring in the U.S. Open Cup game but also seeing six fouls, a yellow, and getting sent off last season. You can read more about his less than stellar season from our very own Michael Citro. PC also landed a spot with the Vancouver Whitecaps this season. The 28-year-old has seen more playing time than Sutter this season, with five appearances and 330 minutes. He seems to have found himself there with an average passer rating at 82% and an assist. Some habits die hard though, two yellows already this season.

While they’re not really coming home, because they’re not from here and can’t call it that anymore, it’ll be interesting to see if they make the trip and how they’ll play. If he plays, it’s going to be incredibly hard watching Sutter from the purple plastic seats and not begging him to “save us, Scott!” It’ll be hard not wanting them to have a great match, but not that hard.

I hope the Lions take what they know about PC and Sutter and use it to their advantage should they have to face them. I have vowed to stay positive, so I’m really hopeful that at home in front of their biggest fans we can see Orlando City walk away with the three points.