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Orlando City vs. Seattle Sounders: Final Score 0-0 as Lions Wasteful in Good Road Effort

The Lions put in a great effort but it fell a bit short with Mauricio Pereyra missing a gaping net from right in front late in the match.

Published

2 years ago

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Image courtesy of Orlando City SC

For the second consecutive game, an Orlando City attacking player missed an empty net from point-blank range, and the Lions had to settle for another draw — this time a 0-0 affair against the Seattle Sounders at Lumen Field. Orlando (7-5-7, 28 points) missed a golden opportunity late in the second half, but Seattle (8-7-5, 29 points) was nearly as wasteful on its attacking end on this night.

With the draw, Orlando City remains winless in Seattle, going 0-2-2 there in the all-time series, and the Lions are now winless in three matches (0-1-2), but Orlando has taken four of the last six possible points from the Sounders. A point on short rest after traveling to a difficult place like Seattle is a good result and shows that if the team can get just a little more dialed in, the Lions can become a dangerous team.

“We walk off the field with the sensation that we could have won it and that feeling is heavy right now in the locker room, because we had our chances in the end,” Orlando City Head Coach Oscar Pareja said after the match. “But it’s a game very well played by the players and with a lot of personality in a very difficult place against a very good team.”

Pareja had nearly a complete roster at his disposal for the first time in a few games and he went with Pedro Gallese in goal behind a back line of Rafael Santos, Robin Jansson, Antonio Carlos, and Michael Halliday. Wilder Cartagena rejoined Cesar Araujo in the central midfield behind an attacking line of Ivan Angulo, Martin Ojeda, and Facundo Torres, with Duncan McGuire up top.

Orlando City seemed to sleepwalk in the early going. Within the first minute, both center backs were concerned with the same attacker while Heber roasted Santos and got a good look at goal but Gallese parried away the shot.

A minute later, Nicolas Lodeiro picked up a loose ball as the Sounders befuddled the Orlando defense but fired a shot off the right post.

Orlando finally got hold of the ball in the seventh minute and Torres fashioned a chance out of nothing as Araujo was able to sneak in deep toward the right post. Torres’ cross-field pass was met by Araujo’s foot in the air but the volley attempt went just wide and into the outside netting.

Two minutes later, it was Santos making a good cross to switch the attack and Halliday volleyed it wide.

The game got a little more back-and-forth after the second good look for the Lions. Seattle won a corner kick after a turnover by Ojeda. The ball pinged around the box for a nervy couple of seconds before Orlando could clear.

Ojeda went for glory from distance in the 14th minute but his shot was always going over and he may have been better served to spray the ball left to continue the buildup.

A minute later, Leo Chu got in behind and only the fact that he was offside may have prevented Halliday from conceding a penalty.

Rusnak sent a free kick well off target in the 29th minute after a poor challenge by Jansson just outside the area.

Orlando’s best chance came in the 35th minute off a corner kick won by Angulo. McGuire got onto Ojeda’s cross and sent it toward the lower left corner but Stefan Frei made a big save to keep the game scoreless.

That was about it for the half as Orlando squandered a couple of late corners and the teams went to the break without a goal between them.

The Lions held the possession advantage (56%-44%) at the half, won more corners (5-4), and passed more accurately (85.8%-819%). Seattle attempted more shots (9-6), with each team getting one on frame.

The second half started like the first, with Seattle threatening to open the scoring. Santos set up a free kick for the hosts in the 47th minute when he took down Lodeiro. The Seattle Designated Player sent a ball on target that took a short hop but Gallese collected it cleanly. A minute later, Rusnak blasted a laser shot over the bar after Halliday was beaten by Chu and sent in a good cross.

Joao Paulo sent a ball way off target from just outside the box in the 53rd minute when he found himself in space and had a go. A minute after that, Cody Baker was left completely unattended outside of Santos and got to the end line, squaring a ball across for Heber, but the forward redirected it wide.

Pareja sent Mauricio Pereyra on for Ojeda in the 57th minute, looking to get more control of the midfield but it didn’t change much until the latter stages, when the captain started to find seams in the defense.

Orlando fashioned a good attack in the 65th minute with some numbers but Halliday couldn’t beat Nouhou with his cross. Halliday made up for that a minute later with a good low cross to McGuire, who flicked it on goal from the near post but Frei had it covered and made the save.

Unfortunately for the young right back, his night ended moments later. While bombing down the right with the ball, Halliday pulled up, grabbing his hamstring. He was subbed off for Kyle Smith. Pareja also sent Ramiro Enrique on for McGuire.

Pereyra should have opened the scoring in the 76th minute. Torres got into the box on the left and sent a shot on target. Frei saved it but couldn’t control the rebound, which fell right to the Orlando City captain. Pereyra sent the ball over the bar and into the stands from just in front of the net.

“I think it’s the point of the night that just made us walk off with that frustration, knowing that we had the game in a position to kill it and take the three points,” Pareja said.

Heber headed wide in the 87th minute in his last action as he was then subbed off for Fredy Montero.

Torres had the game on his foot two minutes later when Pereyra sent a fantastic ball through the back line for him to run onto. The Uruguayan sent a left-footed shot toward the back post but the ball trickled a few inches wide.

“We had various chances,” Torres said through a club interpreter. “First, Mauricio had one that unfortunately he wasn’t able to get it, and I had that one and unfortunately wasn’t able to get it either. But I think the most important part is that we were creating those chances. The game certainly changed when Mauricio entered and it’s obvious the importance that he has for us as a team.”

Neither side had a good look in the four minutes of injury time and the Lions will bring a point home after a scoreless draw.

Orlando City finished with more possession (55.7%-44.3%), shots on target (3-2), passing accuracy (80.7%-80.6%), and corners (7-5). Seattle had more overall shot attemps (16-13).

“I think we dominated the game in terms of the clear (scoring) options,” Pareja said. “We’re gonna walk off with that point, we’re going to take it proudly, and take it to Orlando with the commitment to be heavy at home and keep ascending in the standings.”

“We knew that we were going to be playing a tough game against a tough rival,” Torres said. “We created ourselves some chances. Obviously a little frustrated not to be able to get the goal on some of those chances that we’ve been looking to find. But the important part is that we are creating those chances against a very difficult team.”

The fixture congestion lightens up now as the Lions will have a normal week before hosting the Chicago Fire next Saturday night at Exploria Stadium at 7:30 p.m.

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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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16 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: 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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