Connect with us

Orlando City

Three Lions Poised to Help Orlando City Claw their Way Back

Who can Orlando turn to as the club starts to hunt for victories?

Published

8 months ago

on

Orlando City has had a less-than-ideal start to the season. Competing in both the Major League Soccer regular season and the Concacaf Champions Cup, meant that the team had to navigate the beginning of the year through heavy schedule congestion and a league record of 0-1-2 as well as an exit in the round of 16 in the CCC is what Orlando has to show for its efforts.

A loss to Inter Miami, as well as a subsequent heartbreaking loss in the match against Minnesota United FC, has left a foul taste in fans’ mouths, it should be acknowledged that it was nearly impossible to truly gauge what the team was capable of while the Lions were competing in both formats.

Nonetheless, Orlando is desperate to start turning in results and there are several key pieces of the roster who are poised to help break the team out of its slump. Here are my picks for the top three players that can help right the ship as Orlando heads into the meat and potatoes of its regular season.

David Brekalo

Heading into the start of the year, Orlando City’s back line had the ability to be one of the most sound units throughout MLS. Allowing eight goals through three matches has left folks scratching their heads as to what the issues may be and what needs to be done to fix it. Enter off-season signing David Brekalo. Debuting in the home opener against CF Montreal, Brekalo looked the part of an athletic center back who has the ability to complement Robin Jansson across the back line. In the next two subsequent matches against Miami and Minnesota, Brekalo failed to feature and his absence was notable, as in those two matches the opposition scored eight goals.

With less schedule congestion to deal with, Brekalo will likely become a regular starter. His presence will be a welcomed one as he continues to gel with Jansson and the defensive midfield. Not only should his athletic ability help Orlando significantly in marking players on the defensive end during set pieces, it is also just a matter of time before he makes a difference on set pieces for Orlando offensively as well. I expect the defense to improve. Frankly, there are too many quality pieces for it to not, however, the key to unlocking this unit’s full potential lies in Brekalo’s ability to command the starting role next to Jansson for the rest of the season.

Ivan Angulo

Orlando needs Angulo to unlock even more chaos than he already has in the beginning of the season. Last year, Angulo was responsible for 13 goal-scoring contributions and successfully completed 82.7% of his passing attempts. While Angulo has upped his passing percentage to 87.7% this season so far, he has failed to log a goal-scoring contribution through the first three MLS matches of the season and has only been credited for one shot on target.

Angulo’s ability to take on defenders to create his own offense is a skill that the Orlando attack will need to utilize as the offensive finishing gets sorted out. Looking back to both the opening match against CF Montreal and the most recent match against Minnesota United FC, Orlando has generated a healthy amount of opportunities but has had issues in the finishing department. Angulo’s speed and 1-v-1 ability will help the attack continue to get into dangerous positions. The next step for him this season will be to start to convert the chances that he generates.

Martin Ojeda

I am saving the best for last…or rather the individual who I think has shown the most promise to start the season. Due to the insane frequency of matches to start the year, Ojeda has been called on to do a little bit of everything. He has started matches, entered as a super sub, scored, and has logged an assist both in the MLS regular season as well as in the CCC. Ojeda has also put three of his six shot attempts on target to start the regular season.

With the addition of Nicolas Lodeiro in the off-season, many thought that once again Ojeda as a Designated Player would be relegated to a backup role. This playing time conundrum poised one of the largest question marks about the roster heading into the season. Through one month of matches, Ojeda has looked the part when he has been on the field and has constantly found his teammates in dangerous positions, as demonstrated by this great cross to Duncan McGuire in the team’s first match of the calendar year.

It looks like Ojeda is more adjusted and comfortable now in his second year in MLS, and he possesses all of the skills necessary to be a dangerous attacking piece for Orlando City. Last year, in mostly a reserve role, Ojeda tallied 16 goal-scoring contributions, and his ability to surpass that mark this year cannot be undervalued as Orlando looks to climb back up the table.

I will be watching Brekalo, Angulo, and Ojeda closely over the next several matches and am confident that they hold the keys to unlocking the rest of their teammates’ potential.

What other players do you think will step up as Orlando City looks to get back to its winning ways? Let us know in the comments below and as always, vamos Orlando!

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

Lion Links

Lion Links: 11/7/24

Orlando Pride prepare for the playoffs, Lewis Morgan named MLS Comeback Player of the Year, Champions League roundup, and more.

Published

2 hours ago

on

November 7, 2024

By

Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Jeremy Reper

Welcome to Thursday, Mane Landers. Playoff soccer looms here in the City Beautiful, as Orlando City and the Orlando Pride both host games in which defeat means elimination. I’ll unfortunately be spending the next few days working but am still looking forward to following along when I can. Let’s dive into today’s links!

Orlando Pride Focus On Playoff Game

A historic season for the Orlando Pride will continue Friday when they host the Chicago Red Stars in their first playoff game at home. Preparing for the postseason is unfamiliar territory of sorts for this Pride team, but NWSL veterans like Morgan Gautrat and Carson Pickett can help the team get in the playoff mindset. Emily Sams, who is in just her second year with the Pride but has experience winning an NCAA championship with Florida State, spoke on how the team is focused on its goal of winning the championship that’s driven the team forward this year.

“We’ve come back to that at different points in the season and reminded ourselves that our big goals are to win the shield and to win the championship,” Sams said after training. “We know that it’s very serious and that if we don’t perform well, we could possibly go home. But also knowing that Chicago’s in the same boat, they’re coming to our environment, they’re in front of our fans, where we can control things and just know that we’re the better team and that we can, if we play our best and play up to the standard that we want to, that we’ll be the ones happy at the end of the game.”

Lewis Morgan Named MLS Comeback Player of the Year

New York Red Bulls midfielder Lewis Morgan was voted 2024 MLS Comeback Player of the Year for his performance this season after undergoing hip surgery in September of last year. The 28-year-old led his team with 13 goals and also had seven assists to help the Red Bulls clinch a spot in the playoffs. Morgan was also called up by Scotland for the Euros and UEFA Nations League. Injuries kept him out for most of the 2023 season and there were concerns over whether he would be able to return to form this year. He received 37.69% of the vote to win the award over Robin Lod and Maxi Moralez.

Hector Herrera Not Returning to Houston

The Houston Dynamo declined the option on captain Hector Herrera’s contract for next year. Herrera joined the Dynamo from Atletico Madrid in the middle of the 2022 season and helped the club win the 2023 U.S. Open Cup and make the playoffs the past two years. He had five goals and 21 assists over 62 regular-season matches and was named an MLS All-Star twice. It will be interesting to see what the Dynamo do with the now open Designated Player spot. Only two Western Conference teams scored fewer goals than the Dynamo’s 47 this season, so we’ll see how they add some firepower to the attack heading into next year. Houston is also in discussions with five players regarding returning for next year, including goalkeeper Steve Clark and midfielder Latif Blessing.

Champions League Reaches Midway Point

The fourth round of the UEFA Champions League wrapped up and there were plenty of great games held across Europe. Atletico Madrid went to France and left with all three points after a win against Paris Saint-Germain that included a winner in stoppage time from Angel Correa. A penalty kick right before halftime was the difference in Inter Milan’s 1-0 win at home against Arsenal. Aston Villa was handed its first loss of its campaign in a 1-0 loss to Club Brugge due to Tyrone Mings picking up the ball in his own box. Barcelona, Atalanta, and Bayern Munich all won, while RB Salzburg got its first win of the tournament by beating Feyenoord on the road.

Free Kicks

That’s all I have for you this time around. I hope you all have a great Thursday and rest of your week.

Continue Reading

Lion Links

Lion Links: 11/6/24

Orlando City and Orlando Pride set for upcoming playoff games, Rafaelle out for the season, UEFA Champions League results, and more.

Published

1 day ago

on

November 6, 2024

By

Image courtesy of Orlando Pride

Welcome to Wednesday, Mane Landers. It’s win or go home time for both Orlando City and the Orlando Pride this weekend. As if this week wasn’t stressful enough, we have that to occupy our collective minds. I know that I often prefer to concentrate on soccer, so let’s let to the links.

Do or Die Time for the Lions

Thanks to a lackluster performance by Orlando City in the second match against Charlotte FC away from home, the Lions need a victory to advance in the playoffs. Fortunately, the next match will be back at Inter&Co Stadium. The Lions will need Facundo Torres and Martin Ojeda to return to form if they are to win. Orlando City isn’t the only home squad looking to win this weekend.

The NWSL Playoffs Are Here

With the NWSL playoffs imminent, it is any club’s championship to win. Of course, we want the Orlando Pride to win a second trophy. Each club has a chance to win, though some are better positioned to do so than others. The argument against the Pride stems from the two road matches they recently lost, and the goals given up after winning the NWSL Shield. If the Pride can return to the defensive form from earlier in the season, their odds will be better.

Rafaelle’s Season is Over

Any hope we had of Rafaelle bolstering the Orlando Pride back line came to an end Tuesday, as did her season. The Brazilian has been placed on the Season Ending Injury list with a partial tear of her quadriceps tendon in her right leg. The club is working with Orlando Health on a recovery program for Rafaelle, in hopes she’ll be available for the 2025 season. We wish her a complete and speedy recovery.

Champions League Doesn’t Disappoint

It was quite a day in the UEFA Champions League Tuesday. Liverpool dispatched Bayer Leverkusen 4-0 on the back of a Luis Diaz hat trick, with all four goals coming after the 60th minute. Another high-scoring match saw Sporting CP down Manchester City 4-1 thanks to a hat trick from Victor Gyokeres.

Christian Pulisic helped AC Milan defeat Real Madrid 3-1 with the American providing an assist off a corner. It really was quite a beauty with a finish by Malick Thiaw.

The USMNT’s Malik Tillman scored a goal and added two assists in PSV’s 4-0 victory over Girona. Of course, Girona played a man down after Arnau Martinez received a second yellow card 10 minutes into the second half.

Free Kicks

  • This Atalanta supporter will have a story to tell that few, if any, could ever dream of when talking about his club.
  • If you were wondering what a day in the life of Felipe looks like, wonder no more.
  • If you’re looking for something to do tonight perhaps you’d like to meet Simone Charley and Grace Chanda? The info is in the post below from Tuesday.

That will do it for today. Check back as we get you ready for both matches this weekend. Vamos Orlando!

Continue Reading

Lion Links

Lion Links: 11/5/24

Orlando City announces preseason match, how the Orlando Pride turned things around, Americans in midweek action, and more.

Published

2 days ago

on

November 5, 2024

By

Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

Happy Tuesday, everyone. We have a massive week ahead of us, as the Orlando Pride take on the Chicago Red Stars in the NWSL playoffs on Friday. That will be followed up by a pivotal Game 3 for Orlando City against Charlotte FC on Saturday. Both matches will be at home, so suffice it to say we have a lot going on around these parts. As usual, we have lots to talk through today, so let’s get into the links.

Orlando City Announces Friendly

Orlando City has announced that the club will play a preseason match against Inter Miami in Tampa on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14. The game will take place at Raymond James Stadium at 7:30 p.m., with tickets going on sale to the general public on Nov. 14. There will also be a pregame fan festival set up outside the stadium, which is free if you have a ticket. The decision to play Miami in a preseason game isn’t a surprising one, as it involves minimal travel for both clubs, and a chance to capitalize on the box office draw of Lionel Messi. It is a little surprising that the decision was made to host the game at Raymond James Stadium rather than Orlando’s Camping World Stadium, but it’s possible that the latter wasn’t available, or that there was a desire to capitalize on the additional gate money from the extra 15,000 seats at Raymond James.

How the Pride Escaped the Cellar

In a season that featured several teams who played outstanding campaigns, the Orlando Pride still managed to finish first in the National Women’s Soccer League. It’s a feat made even more impressive when considering how the club has historically struggled, but the change didn’t happen overnight. The rebuild really got underway in 2021, which was when a series of high profile exits and trades began to take place, which would eventually allow the Pride to do a lot of maneuvering in the transfer market. It was a long process though, and it took the arrival of Haley Carter in the front office and Seb Hines as the head coach for things to really start coming together. It’s been an all-around effort, but one that paid off with a first-place finish this season.

Americans in Midweek Action

There are a number of Americans playing this week, so make sure you’ve got everything marked down on your calendar. UEFA Champions League action returns tomorrow, as Malik Tillman, Ricardo Pepi, and Richie Ledezma will take on Girona with PSV Eindhoven. Christian Pulisic, Yunus Musah, and AC Milan face Real Madrid, and Tim Weah, Weston McKennie, and Juventus hit the road to take on Weah’s former club, Lille. European action then continues on Thursday as Tanner Tessmann and Lyon face Hoffenheim on the road in the Europa League, and Johnny Cardoso and Real Betis host Celje in the Conference League.

Transfer Rumor Roundup

As always seems to be the case, there are a number of transfer rumors floating around. First up, Spanish outlet Marca says that if Vinicius Jr. becomes available then Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain would be interested in signing him. This comes amid reports that the Brazilian is considering a move to Saudi Arabia. Speaking of Chelsea, Enzo Fernandez could seek an exit from the Blues reportedly due to not being favored by boss Enzo Maresca, with Barcelona and Inter Milan as possible destinations. Finally, Eintracht Frankfurt star Omar Marmoush is reportedly attracting interest from some of Europe’s big clubs, with Bayern Munich and Liverpool both interested in signing him.

Free Kicks

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

Continue Reading

Trending