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Orlando City

Orlando City vs. Nashville SC: Final Score 3-2 as Lions Melt Down and Concede Twice Late

Orlando loses its first home game of the year after two late headers turn the game around at the end.

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4 years ago

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Image courtesy of Orlando City SC

Orlando City managed to concede three times — twice after the 88th minute — to a Nashville SC team that has struggled to put the ball in the net all season. With the meltdown, the Lions (11-4-8, 41 points) blew a late 2-1 lead and fell at Exploria Stadium for the first time all season, 3-2. Hany Mukhtar scored in the 88th minute and a completely unmarked Jhonder Cádiz added another in the 93rd minute to undo the lead over Nashville (8-7-8, 32 points) that Daryl Dike and Nani had provided.

It was Orlando’s first ever loss to Nashville in three meetings (1-1-1), snapped a three-game winning streak, and knocked the Lions down to fourth place in the final regular-season standings. The Cádiz goal was particularly troubling because it came on a late free kick that was drawn on a bit of a dive by Matt LaGrassa and because the forward was left completely unmarked just in front of goal. Orlando has had an ongoing problem with conceding late set piece goals and it bit them again in the home finale.

With the quick turnaround at the end, Orlando missed its opportunity to equal its most wins and most points in an MLS season and the Lions enter the postseason after one of the team’s worst letdowns since joining Major League Soccer.

“Obviously the game did not end the way we wanted,” Head Coach Oscar Pareja said after the match. “We have to sharpen things, especially in those key moments of concentration. And it has been something that we have been working on. We will keep doing it.”

Pareja shuffled his lineup a bit, starting Brian Rowe in goal behind a back line of Kyle Smith, Robin Jansson, Antonio Carlos, and Ruan. Jordan Bender got his first MLS start in the midfield with Mauricio Pereyra suspended due to yellow card accumulation, alongside Junior Urso, Andres Perea, and Chris Mueller. Dike returned to the starting lineup to lead the attack, along with Nani.

The Lions started quickly, getting into the box just seconds after the whistle. Mueller tried to free himself for a shot inside the first minute and went down under contact but nothing was given. But moments later, the Lions created a turnover and scored in transition.

Mueller dribbled at Nashville’s back line before dishing off to Dike on his right. The big rookie set his feet and blasted a pinpoint accurate shot from the right side off the left post and in to make it 1-0 in the fourth minute with his eighth goal of the season.

Orlando City continued to try to pick through the stingy Nashville defense. Ruan cut inside in the ninth minute and tried to pick out a streaking Nani but his pass was just a bit off line and the defense sent it out for a corner. Three minutes later, Perea was set up in space at the top of the area but skied his shot well over the bar on an effort which he should have done better on.

Nashville forced a save in the 18th off a corner kick when the Lions cleared it to the top corner of the area and Dax McCarty fired right at Rowe. Orlando had set its defense deep to deal with Walker Zimmerman and Dave Romney and left the top of the area unguarded. That came into play on the tying goal two minutes later.

The Lions cleared another set piece in the 20th minute but could only get the ball just outside the area, where Daniel Lovitz picked it up with time and space and sent a long-range effort into the corner of the net past Rowe to tie the match at 1-1.

The game got chippy shortly after that, with Nashville picking up two quick yellow cards in succession in the 28th and 29th minutes. Derrick Jones was booked for a foul on Junior Urso, and then moments later, Anibal Godoy was booked for a hand across Nani’s face that left the Orlando captain with a bloodied lip.

The Lions nearly regained the lead in the 33rd minute when Bender crossed a ball in for Dike. The rookie headed it on goal and picked out a good spot but he couldn’t get much power on it and that gave Joe Willis just enough time to make a diving save.

McCarty was booked for holding up Mueller in the 37th minute and was extremely lucky not to pick up a second yellow card in the 40th on a rough challenge on Perea. The veteran player may have gotten the benefit of the doubt with referee David Gantar on the play, but Orlando’s players were incensed, particularly Jansson, who ran about 30 yards to argue about it.

That was it for the first-half chances and the teams went to the break tied at 1-1. First half shots were level at 5-5 and shots on target were also the same (2-2). Nashville led in corners (2-1), while Orlando City held more possession (53.1%-46.9%) and was more accurate in passing (88%-86%).

Tesho Akindele subbed on at the half for Bender and the Lions immediately pressed for a go-ahead goal. Nani sent a nice cross in for Akindele in the 49th but the defense arrived just in time to nod it out of harm’s way. Mueller had a shot blocked at the top of the area a minute later and Nani fizzed a long-range effort over the bar in the 52nd.

Nashville tried to hit back just after that with a Derrick Jones drive that Rowe was able to fight off.

Orlando regained the lead in the 60th after Kyle Smith was fouled just outside the area. Nani lined up the free kick and sent a beauty over the wall and just inside the near post to make it 2-1. It was the captain’s sixth goal of the year.

Mueller nearly found an insurance goal in the 63rd with a shot from the top of the box that Willis got a hand on to push just wide of the post.

The ensuing corner kick pinged around the box and fell at Carlos’ feet. The defender was able to turn with a couple of quick touches and fired a shot wide with his left foot.

Both teams started to substitute over the next 15 minutes without many looks at goal on either end. Nashville couldn’t get on a free kick in the 73rd and Ruan sent a left-footed shot wide in the 76th minute. Ruan sent a floater headed inside the back post in the 81st, but Willis got a hand to it.

Rowe made a save on a shot from the left in the 85th that looked to be headed inside the back post. Just after that, Orlando made a final sub, sending midfielder Joey DeZart on for Nani, rather than sending on an extra center back to play five at the back as we’ve seen in other matches this season.

The Nashville comeback started in the 88th out of seemingly nothing. Alex Muyl had the ball in the left corner with Ruan defending and sent an inch-perfect cross into the area that sailed just inches over Carlos, who had drifted too far away from Hany Mukhtar. The German easily nodded the cross into the back of the net to make it 2-2.

The Lions tried to pull that goal right back Ruan drew a foul just to the right of the box. Second-half sub Sebas Mendez played a short pass on the ground to Perea who fired a shot just over the crossbar in the 90th minute.

A few minutes later, LaGrassa left his feet after feeling light contact high from Smith and Gantar gave the foul. Mukhtar took the free kick and sent his cross into the box where Cádiz was unmarked. It appeared that Ruan and Smith were left on the back side to defend Muyl and Cádiz, with both Carlos and DeZart dealing with Dave Romney. Muyl appeared to wall off Ruan from getting to Cádiz, leaving him free in front of goal. Rowe got in position in time, but the header had too much power and got through him for the winning goal.

“It was just kind of two plays tonight that that decided that game,” Rowe said. “It’s just kind of fine tuning those little things.”

“There is much more we can do, for sure,” Pareja said about late lapses on set pieces. “It is our responsibility to prepare the boys and their responsibility obviously just to solve those problems, especially when teams are coming at the end with set plays, a corner, or something like that. For sure we will keep doing it. I think today it is even more painful because the game meant a lot.”

The Lions had no time to equalize because seconds later the game was over, as Gantar gave no extra time beyond the original four minutes of stoppage time originally given.

Orlando had more shot attempts (13-11), but Nashville got more on goal (6-4). The visitors won more corners (6-3), while the Lions held more possession (51.9%-48.1%) and was more accurate passing the ball (84%-83%).

The Lions fell at home in their home finale for the second straight year. Orlando is 3-3-0 in home finales and just 1-5-0 in regular-season finales since joining MLS in 2015.

“It’s tough to swallow this game,” Rowe said. “It hurts, but I think we need to reiterate that it doesn’t take away from what we’ve accomplished this year so far.”

“It was a game [that] brought moments where we were frustrated, especially the way it ended,” Pareja said. “But we can’t forget what the boys have done during this year. They qualified in the playoffs, they qualified in the best four in a tough conference, and they’ll be ready for playoffs.”

That’s it for the regular season, but unlike in years past, it won’t be the Lions’ last match of the year. The playoffs lie ahead. Orlando City will face New York City FC at home with the day and time to be announced.

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Lion Links

Lion Links: 1/21/25

Orlando Pride release preseason camp roster, scouting Costa Rica, women’s soccer transfer grades, and more.

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22 hours ago

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January 21, 2025

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Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

Good morning, everyone! If you had yesterday off for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, then I hope you enjoyed some restful time off. If not, then I hope you got your week started off on a good and productive note. There’s a lot going on around here this week as the United States Men’s National Team is in town, and Orlando City will play its first preseason match on Saturday. That means we have plenty to discuss, so let’s dig into today’s links.

Orlando Pride Drop Preseason Roster

Monday might have been a holiday but the Orlando Pride were busy, as they announced the roster for their upcoming preseason camp. Almost all of the usual suspects from the 2024 season are back, as the Pride return 98% of the player-minutes from last season and every single scorer. Mariana Larroquette is on the list although she’s currently on loan in Argentina, and Amanda Allen is likewise included after her loan at Lexington Sporting Club was terminated due to a torn labrum. The biggest intrigue comes from the trio of non-roster invitees: goalkeeper DeAira Jackson, midfielder Aryssa Mahrt, and forward Simone Jackson.

Scouting Costa Rica

The USMNT takes on Costa Rica on Wednesday at Inter&Co Stadium to wrap up the team’s annual January camp. Like the U.S., Costa Rica is bringing a roster devoid of the majority of its important players. Costa Rica also has a new manager at the helm in Miguel Herrera, who will take charge of the team for the very first time on Wednesday. Herrera typically lines his teams up in a 5-3-2 where the wingbacks take on a very important role and the team looks to hit on the counter while staying compact at the back. This will be the last time we see the USMNT in action until the Concacaf Nations League semifinals in early March.

Women’s Soccer January Transfer Grades

January has been a busy time for transfers in the women’s soccer world, so which teams have done the best business? Well, the Orlando Pride received an A grade for signing Marta to a new two-year deal, retaining a player who helped the team win its first ever trophies. Liverpool got an A for signing Julia Bartel on loan from Chelsea. Leicester City made an interesting call by transferring goalkeeper Lize Kop to Tottenham despite just being a point above the relegation zone. The Foxes get a C for the move, while Spurs get a B+ for adding a capable netminder.

Americans in Midweek Action

There are a number of Americans taking part in some very important games over the course of this week. Weston McKennie, Tim Weah, and Juventus face Club Brugge today in the UEFA Champions League, while Ricardo Pepi, Richy Ledezma, Esmir Bajraktarević, Malik Tillman and PSV Eindhoven take on Crvena Zvezda in the same competition. Christian Pulisic, Yunus Musah, and AC Milan will play Girona in the UCL on Wednesday, while Cameron Carter-Vickers, Auston Trusty, and Celtic take on Young Boys. On Friday, John Tolkin could make his Bundesliga debut when his new team, Holstein Kiel, travels to face Wolfsburg.

Free Kicks

  • Orlando Pride players reported for their preseason physicals on Monday.
  • Meanwhile, Orlando City took on the dreaded beep test during Monday’s training session.

That’s all I have for you today. Vamos Orlando!

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Orlando City

Striker Suddenly a Position of Need for Orlando City

Departures and a key injury mean Orlando City needs a striker heading into the 2025 MLS season.

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2 days ago

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January 20, 2025

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Image Courtesy of Orlando City SC

Orlando City reached the Eastern Conference Final for the first time in 2024, a milestone for the club. The core of the team was locked up through the 2025 season, so there was no reason to believe it needed to add much this off-season. Unfortunately, injuries and departures have created a serious problem for the team.

The group of forwards last year consisted of Duncan McGuire, Ramiro Enrique, and Jack Lynn. McGuire scored 15 goals in 2023 and was expected to depart for Blackburn Rovers before a clerical error allowed the Lions to keep their target man. The team’s primary striker scored 11 goals in 37 games — the same number as the previous season — but split time starting with Enrique. The Argentinian improved greatly in 2024, increasing his total goal tally from four to 12. Even Lynn showed tremendous improvement last year, playing a greater role in the team and scoring his first two MLS goals.

The future also seemed bright for the Orlando City forwards because of their ages. Lynn is the oldest of the trio at just 25 years old. Meanwhile, McGuire and Enrique are only 23, so there was no reason to believe this group couldn’t produce this coming season.

The problem at striker began in the postseason when McGuire was pulled down by Charlotte FC midfielder Djibril Diani in the final first round game of the playoffs. McGuire suffered a shoulder injury during the challenge that required surgery on Dec. 13. It’s expected that the striker could take four to five months to return to action, possibly leaving him out until May or June.

Another blow to Orlando’s attack occurred Saturday when Lynn surprisingly announced his retirement from professional soccer. In just over a month, Orlando City went from having three strikers to having just one as preseason training starts.

With McGuire injured and Lynn gone, one option would be to have Designated Player Luis Muriel play up top. However, the Colombian prefers to play a more withdrawn position and proved to be effective in that role last year. Since Head Coach Oscar Pareja prefers to play a 4-2-3-1 formation, the Lions need someone up top to control the ball and involve the midfielders in the attack. That’s not Muriel’s game.

The result of these issues is that nobody is currently behind Enrique when the season begins. If the Argentinian gets tired, hurt, or simply needs rest, Pareja is limited in his options. 

Whether there was a lack of strikers or a lack of goals from the position previously, that problem was resolved by the club’s all-time leading goal scorer. Facundo Torres scored 20 goals in 2024, becoming the first player in Orlando City’s MLS history and the second player in club history to do so. He went on to set a new club record for total goals of 47.

However, Orlando City sold its best player to Brazilian side Palmeiras on Dec. 20. It was a gut punch to fans as Torres had signed a new contract on Jan. 10, 2024 that ran through the 2026 season. There had been talk for the last couple of years that the attacker would look for a move to Europe and rumors of a move to South America arose this off-season. Still, it created a huge gap the club has to fill.

There are players on the roster that can make up for the injury and departures. Martin Ojeda had a strong season in 2024, finishing with seven goals and 13 assists. His seven goals ranked fourth on the team and his 13 assists topped the squad alongside Nico Lodeiro. Muriel came on strong later in the season, finishing with five goals and eight assists. But those numbers are a long way from the 20 goals that Torres tallied last year.

Even if you consider all goal contributions, Ojeda and Muriel fall well short of Torres. Ojeda had a total of 20 goal contributions in 2024 while Muriel had 13. In addition to Torres’s 20 goals, he added nine assists for a team-leading 29 goal contributions.

All of this information leads to one undeniable fact — Orlando City needs to sign a striker prior to the season. And there’s not much time for Luiz Muzzi to act. The European transfer window closes on Feb. 3 and many MLS teams have already been filling similar needs. With the season starting in just over a month, the options will be limited if the Lions don’t do something soon.

After the best postseason finish in Orlando City’s MLS history, things were looking good heading into 2025. While the back line and most of the midfield is returning, McGuire’s injury and the departure of Torres and Lynn have left the Lions in a tough spot offensively. If they don’t do something in the next couple of weeks, it could be a long 2025.

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Lion Links

Lion Links: 1/20/25

Orlando City signs Nicolas Rodriguez, Jack Lynn announces retirement, USMNT defeats Venezuela in friendly, and more.

Published

2 days ago

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January 20, 2025

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Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

Hello, Mane Landers! I hope you’re all having a good holiday weekend as we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Over the past week, I’ve been working and covering high school ice hockey. It will be a busy week in Orlando, with the United States Men’s National Team’s match against Costa Rica on Wednesday and Orlando City’s first preseason match against Atletico Mineiro on Saturday. We’ve got plenty to cover today, so let’s get to the links.

Orlando City Signs Nicolas Rodriguez

Orlando City announced on Friday that the club has signed forward Nicolas Rodriguez from Fortaleza CEIF in Colombia’s top flight. The deal is through the 2027 season, with a club option for 2028, and Rodriguez will occupy a MLS U22 Initiative slot. Rodriguez made 19 appearances for Fortaleza, recording 1,607 minutes, five goals, and three assists during the 2024 Primera A Clausura season. The Lions add a young attacking player the club can develop and Rodriguez can play on the right wing, the right side of a three-man midfield, or in the No. 10 spot.

Jack Lynn Announces Retirement

Orlando City forward Jack Lynn announced his retirement from professional soccer on Saturday. Lynn was drafted by Orlando in the first round of the 2022 MLS SuperDraft. He became a regular starter for Orlando City B, scoring a team-record 38 goals in over three seasons with the MLS NEXT Pro side. Lynn also won the Golden Boot with 19 goals during the 2023 season and became the first OCB player to be named MLS NEXT Pro MVP. He played sparingly with the first team, but he scored twice last season as his role increased. The Lions will likely look to add another striker for more depth up top.

Orlando Pride Acquire Allocation Money in Trade

On Friday, the Orlando Pride announced that the club has acquired $50,000 in Allocation Money from the Washington Spirit. In exchange, the Pride sent the Spirit a 2025 international roster spot. The Pride will face the Spirit in the NWSL Challenge Cup final on March 7 at Inter&Co Stadium.

USMNT Defeats Venezuela in Friendly

The USMNT defeated Venezuela 3-1 at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday in a friendly. Jack McGlynn and Patrick Agyemang scored in the first half to give the USMNT a 2-0 lead just before halftime. Matko Milijevic scored the third goal for the Americans in the second half, with Venezuela pulling one back thanks to a goal from Jorge Yriarte. Head Coach Mauricio Pochettino has led the USMNT to winning four out of its first five matches since he took charge last September. The USMNT’s next match will be against Costa Rica on Wednesday at Inter&Co Stadium.

Alyssa Naeher Named U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year

On Saturday, goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher was voted 2024 U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year. Naeher won 40% of the vote, while defender Naomi Girma finished in second with 32%. In her final year with the USWNT, Naeher ended 2024 with 18 starts, playing 1,170 minutes and only conceding 11 goals. She played a crucial role with clutch saves to help the USWNT win the 2024 SheBelieves Cup, 2024 Concacaf W Gold Cup, and gold at the Olympics in Paris. Naeher is the second goalkeeper to win the award since Hope Solo won it in 2009.

Free Kicks

  • Manchester City forward Erling Haaland has reached an agreement with the club on a record-breaking contract that extends his deal through 2034.

That will do it for me today, Mane Landers. Enjoy your Monday, and I’ll see you next time.

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