Orlando City vs. LAFC: Three Keys to Victory

Orlando City is back in action Saturday against LAFC at Inter&Co Stadium. The Lions have struggled recently, but will hopefully be well rested as they take on the second-place club in the Western Conference. There is still time for Orlando City to get the season back on track.

What does Orlando City need to do to earn all three points at home against LAFC?

It’s Mason Time

Mason Stajduhar will be in goal for the Lions this week because Pedro Gallese is on international duty with the Peruvian Men’s National Team. Stajduhar has played in big matches against tough opponents in the past (notably, last season at Philadelphia), but with Orlando City’s current run of form, he may need to be perfect for the Lions to get a result.

It’s not going to be easy for the backup keeper to earn a clean sheet. LAFC has scored 28 goals this season, with Denis Bouanga leading the pack with 10 goals so far this season. He has also contributed five assists. Stajduhar will need to be on his toes against Bouanga and the rest of LAFC’s attack.

Dependent on Defense

The players in front of Stajduhar will be as important, if not moreso, than himself. David Brekalo will be with Slovenia playing in the UEFA Euros. Expect Rodrigo Schlegel and Robin Jansson as the center backs in a more traditional four-man back line with Wilder Cartagena joining Peruvian teammate Gallese on international duty.

Fortunately for Orlando City, Cesar Araujo did not get called up by Uruguay and will be in his usual spot in the defensive midfield. I also suspect we will see plenty of Dagur Dan Thorhallsson on defense. How well all of these defenders are able to deal with the LAFC attack will make Stajduhar’s chances at a clean sheet that much easier or harder.

I’d Like to Buy a Goal

Orlando City has two goals in the last five matches (0.4 goals/match), with a record of 1-2-2. To put it simply, that isn’t nearly good enough, especially since the team scored 14 goals in the previous 11 matches (1.27 goals/match). The results actually flatter the Lions given the lack of scoring.

Sadly, it’s not just the goals, but the chances created that have suffered as well. In the last five matches, Orlando City has 39 shots (7.8 shots/match) with 12 on target (2.4 SOT/match). In the previous 11 matches, the Lions had 154 shots (14 shots/match) with 49 on target (4.45 SOT/match). That is a precipitous drop in production.

Injuries, formation changes, and schedule congestion have all contributed to the problem, but Orlando City needs to find its mojo again. The earlier numbers indicate that the Lions have it in them to create chances and score more goals. There’s no better time that at home against LAFC. How can they do it? Cross-mojination, baby!

That is what I will be looking for Saturday night. Let me know your thoughts in the comments below. Vamos Orlando!