As noted in the recap of Orlando City’s first playoff game against Charlotte, the Lions scored more than one goal in a postseason playoff game for the first time in their MLS history. However, the Lions struggled to score in their seven other MLS playoff games, getting shut out twice and scoring one goal in the other five matches.

Even with the low-scoring output, the team advanced one round in 2020 and again in 2023, but the Lions have yet reach the conference final. A quick look at their performances in the regular season, as opposed to the playoffs, shows just how stark the offensive struggles have been (I am aware that points are not a thing in the playoffs, but just pretend that they were for comparison purposes, so even though Orlando City won in 2020 against New York City FC, it was a draw after 90 minutes that eventually went to penalties. As such, I called it a draw for average points purposes):

You can see from the data that while the team’s defense is averaging roughly the same amount of goals given up per game across all playoff games, the offense is down 56% in terms of average goals scored per game. I am not someone who believes in teams carrying history with them onto the field, as we are beaten over our heads with when the Yankees take the field in baseball and the announcers intimate that because the team won a lot of titles in the first half of the 20th century, that somehow matters in 2024 (altogether unsurprising note — I despise the Yankees), but in this situation I think it is worth looking at the last few years, because it is the same head coach and the team plays a similar formation and in very similar ways.

The players from 2020 are different than today (leading scorer: the Money Badger, Chris Mueller, and of 2024’s roster only two current players (Pedro Gallese and Robin Jansson) started in more than half of their games), but the reality from that year, and every year, is that the teams played all season long include teams at the top, middle, and bottom of the league, but the opponents in the playoffs include some in the middle but are mostly at the top.

With a higher caliber of opponent on the field, the Lions have performed similarly defensively but have struggled offensively, and the chart below shows some of the reasons why (red shading means the value is lower (even barely) in the playoffs as compared to during the regular season):

Insert usual disclaimer about non-penalty expected goals (npxG) being a metric that is more about shot locations than if the player really should have been expected to score, but regardless, while the red to white split in the table on the right is not drastic (11-9 red to white), some of the gaps in efficiency are large. The playoff stats on the right are full of small sample sizes, and as Billy Beane of Moneyball fame said “my (expletive) doesn’t work in the playoffs,” meaning that in small sample sizes, anything can happen, and season-long trends can disappear. The 2024 playoff stats, albeit through only one game, look good though, so perhaps this season will be the one when everything goes right offensively instead of wrong.

Whether the reason is offensive struggles, playing against better defenses, or some kind of mental block for playoff games, the reality is that prior to the home game against Charlotte on Sunday, Orlando City had never scored more than one goal in a playoff game. But, now the Lions have done that, and I do not want to take full credit, but it was my daughter’s first-ever game in attendance when they did so…I am taking full credit. (Sorry, actual players who played in the game.)

This year’s team scored the most regular-season goals of any Orlando City squad in the MLS era, and in my opinion, the Lions have the best collection of overall offensive talent of any team in club history, so much so that they bring three players off the bench (Duncan McGuire, Luis Muriel, and Nico Lodeiro) who combined for 37 goal contributions this season in MLS regular-season play. Now that the team has achieved one playoff game with at least two goals, the next offensive goal target will be multiple playoff games with multiple goals — hopefully starting as soon as in the match at Charlotte on Friday.

The last two seasons have been full of achievements for Orlando City in the team’s MLS era, and with two more wins (though let’s not get ahead of ourselves), the team would add another achievement to that list — the Lions’ first-ever trip to the conference final. Advancing in the playoffs does not require scoring goals (provided you hold your opponent scoreless too and win your shootouts), but scoring goals is fun, and fun is good (doctor’s orders, right Dr. Seuss?). And I believe that this team has the offensive ability to continue to have fun and advance in the upcoming weeks.

Vamos Orlando!

Happy Halloween! I don’t have any plans for the holiday beyond annoying my cat by dressing him up like a wizard for some photos. Scary movies aren’t exactly my thing either, but I hope you all have a fun time celebrating regardless. Before we dive into today’s links, let’s all wish a happy birthday to Orlando City Vice President of Soccer Operations and Technical Director Ricardo Moreira!

Lions Stay Focused Ahead of Playoff Match

Orlando City will aim to close out its playoff series with Charlotte FC on Friday when the two sides square off in North Carolina. The Lions may be riding high after a solid 2-0 win at home to start its playoff campaign, but Head Coach Oscar Pareja has the team focused on finishing the job to advance to the next round. Pareja spoke about how Orlando’s ability to react and solve problems is a strength and helped the Lions win the first game of the series.

As for Charlotte, MLSsoccer.com‘s Joseph Lowery has it as one of the more likely clubs to turn things around and force a Game 3. Charlotte will have to keep Facundo Torres and Martin Ojeda from running rampant if it wants that to happen. Orlando also won’t have to deal with Charlotte midfielder Pep Biel in Friday’s match, as the appeal for the Designated Player’s red card was rejected.

USWNT Shuts Out Argentina

The United States Women’s National Team closed out the international window with a 3-0 win over Argentina in Louisville. Naomi Girma got the scoring started in the 37th minute, nodding in an easy goal after some poor defending from Argentina for her first international goal. An own goal doubled the USWNT’s lead right before halftime, and then Girma secured her brace with another header in the second half. Goalkeeper Mandy Haught made her USWNT debut, making one save in the shutout. Orlando Pride defender Emily Sams did not start this time around, with Head Coach Emma Hayes choosing Eva Gaetino to start alongside Girma in the center of the U.S. defense. However, Sams did enter the game in the second half, coming on in the 70th minute. The USWNT will play its final games of the year when it travels to take on England on Nov. 30 and the Netherlands on Dec. 3 in a pair of tough friendlies.

U.S. Falls in U-17 World Cup Semifinal

The U-17 USWNT lost 1-0 to North Korea in the U-17 World Cup semifinals. After a scoreless first half, Ro Un-hyang scored a great goal to give North Korea the win. The U.S. struggled to get much going on offense and didn’t get a single shot on target in the match. There’s still a chance the U.S. can leave the Dominican Republic with silverware, as it will play for third place against either England or Spain on Sunday.

UEFA Invests in Women’s Soccer

In an effort to grow women’s soccer in Europe, UEFA has pledged $1.08 billion towards all levels of the sport over the next six years. Part of the organization’s goals is to double the number of fully professional national leagues and increase the number of professional players. The plan also includes developing more ways for girls and women to play, coach, and referee, starting at the grassroots level. Although this is a hefty amount of money devoted towards women’s soccer, there’s still plenty of work to do in regards to ensuring women can make a living from soccer.

Free Kicks

• The City Beautiful is looking good in celebration of both Orlando City and the Orlando Pride being in the postseason this year.

• MLS Save of the Year went to FC Dallas’s Maarten Paes for his double save to deny Gabriel Pec from the penalty spot. I still prefer Pedro Gallese’s acrobatic double save that was nominated, but this was still nice work from Paes.
• FC Cincinnati’s Luca Orellano won MLS Goal of the Year for his strike from 79.81 yards out to beat CF Montreal goalkeeper Jonathan Sirois on Aug. 31.
• Weston McKennie scored his first goal of the Serie A season by getting his head on the end of a nice cross from fellow American Tim Weah, who later scored the equalizer in Juventus’ 2-2 draw with Parma.

• Diego Chara will return for a 15th season with the Portland Timbers after signing a contract extension with the club through 2025, with an option for 2026 as well.
• Concacaf announced that next year’s Gold Cup final will take place at NRG Stadium in Houston on July 6.
• In its first game since Erik ten Hag’s firing, Manchester United scored four goals in the first half of a 5-2 win over Leicester City. Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes both bagged braces in the dominant display at home.
• Jamal Musiala had a hat trick in the first half of Bayern Munich’s 4-0 win against Mainz in the German Cup.
• Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have become co-owners of Wrexham Lager, the brewery that is also one of the team’s sponsors and was founded in 1882.

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

Welcome to Wednesday, Mane Landers. I hope you have your costume ready for tomorrow, and the candy ready for the kiddos. In addition to Halloween, it’s a big week for the club as Orlando City prepares for playoff match number two, and the Pride finish the regular season. For now, let’s get to the links.

Orlando City Ready for Charlotte, Part Deux

Orlando City is heading into the second match against Charlotte FC riding the good vibes of a 2-0 victory in the first match. Facundo Torres and company executed Oscar Pareja’s game plan to perfection and will look to do so again this Friday. The second match will pose a bigger challenge as this will be the North Carolina-based club’s first-ever home playoff match. The crowd will be big and loud in this must-win match for the home team.

Pride Await Playoff Opponent

We’ve known for weeks that the Orlando Pride will be the number one seed in the NWSL playoffs. What we don’t know is which team the Pride will be playing. If the standings remain the same after this weekend, it will be Bay FC. The other two possibilities are the Portland Thorns or the Chicago Red Stars.

Orlando’s Gone But Not Forgotten

There have been many professionals who have played for Orlando City and the Orlando Pride over the years. While they may no longer wear purple, we still like to keep track of their comings and goings. For example, former Orlando Pride forward Sydney Leroux has signed a new three-year contract that will see her end her career at Angel City FC. Likewise, former Orlando Pride goalkeeper Erin McLeod, has signed with Canadian Northern Super League side Halifax Tides FC.

In not-so-great news, former Orlando City striker Daryl Dike, has to endure yet another setback on his way back from injury for West Bromwich Albion. Dike suffered a mild hamstring issue in training with the first team. We wish him a speedy and full recovery.

The Ballon d’Or Problem

The Orlando Pride’s Marta was seemingly quite upset with Vinícius Júnior not getting the Ballon d’Or this year. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but given Marta’s accomplishments, her opinion carries more weight than many others.

Of course that isn’t the only criticism being leveled at the award. The women’s side of the award has been treated with disdain and marginalized consistently over the years. This year was no exception. Given that the award ceremony took place during the women’s international break. Many nominees and winners for the various awards, including USWNT Head Coach Emma Hayes, were unable to attend. Given how fast the women’s game is growing, it’s time for those giving out the accolades to treat the women equally.

Free Kicks

• Christian Pulisic may be joined by USMNT teammate Johnny Cardoso at AC Milan. It’s just a rumor for now, given Tottenham Hotspur has first right of refusal for the Betis player.
• The USWNT plays Argentina tonight in a friendly match. You’ll want to watch this match as the Pride’s Emily Sams might get her second cap.
• The Libyan Football Federation is looking to overturn the sanctions suffered due to its boycott of an Africa Cup of Nations match against Nigeria.
• Manchester United’s interest in Sporting CP coach Rúben Amorim has been confirmed by the Portuguese club. Jeez guys, Erik Ten Hag’s seat isn’t even cold. Allow the rest of us to grieve his departure for a bit.

That will do it for today. I hope everyone has fun and stays safe tomorrow for Halloween. Also, remember to check back as we get you ready for the upcoming Orlando City and Orlando Pride matches. Vamos Orlando!