PawedCast Episode 398: CF Montreal Rewind, Cavalry FC Preview, and More

Orlando City loves to draw on opening day, and so the Lions split the points in their first MLS match of the season for the seventh time in 10 seasons. The 0-0 draw against CF Montreal wasn’t the worst result, but it sure wasn’t what we expected or wanted. Orlando City was the better side but couldn’t get the final touch right, which is an unfortunate part of the sport sometimes. It’s not unusual for teams playing in continental tournaments to struggle early in the MLS season. FC Cincinnati and the Philadelphia Union also drew against 2023 non-playoff teams, for example.

After starting the show with some unfinished business from last time, we break down the Lions’ opener against CF Montreal and hey, at least Josef Martinez didn’t score. But then again, Orlando hasn’t allowed a goal on opening day since Oscar Pareja arrived.

This week’s mailbagbox was curious about the roles of Martin Ojeda and Luis Muriel for 2024. We think both players are going to do big things. There was also a question about which of the two major home improvement stores we prefer. Remember, if there’s anything — and we do mean anything — you want us to address on the show, just ask us by tweeting it to us at @TheManeLand with the hashtag #AskTMLPC.

Following the mailbagbox, we had some breaking news that will seem old by the time you listen to this show. I went on a mini rant about MLS Season Pass on Apple TV+. Then, we finished with our key matchups and score predictions for tonight’s game against Cavalry FC in the Concacaf Champions Cup.

Here’s how No. 398 went down:

0:15 – Orlando City got its first win in Concacaf Champions Cup in emphatic fashion, outclassing Cavalry FC with speed and ball movement. We recap.

23:35 – The mailbagbox wants to know about home improvement stores, Muriel, and Ojeda.

38:00 — A rant about MLS Season Pass on Apple TV+ and our key matchups and score predictions for the second leg against Cavalry FC.