We’ve almost arrived at Orlando City’s final regular-season game of 2024. The Lions will take on Atlanta United at home Saturday at 6 p.m., and while OCSC has long since secured a postseason spot, there’s still plenty to play for. Orlando is currently fourth in the Eastern Conference, but that spot is not guaranteed, and the easiest way to lock it down is by beating the Five Stripes tomorrow and eliminating them from postseason contention in the process.

The lowest that the Lions can drop in the standings is fifth, which is currently occupied by New York City FC, but could go to either Charlotte FC or the New York Red Bulls, depending on how Decision Day shakes out. If NYCFC wins and Orlando loses, then the Lions will finish fifth, with NYCFC leapfrogging them into fourth place.

Obviously, OCSC wants to accrue as many points as it can and finish as high as possible in the standings, but with the changes to the playoffs that were implemented last year, the men in purple now have extra motivation to do so. The first round of the playoffs is now a best-of-three series (for some reason), with the higher seed given home field advantage that is manifested by playing the first game of the series at home, as well as the third game if one is necessary. If the first round matchup does indeed end up being against NYCFC, that home field advantage takes on added importance.

That’s because the away game(s) against New York will likely take place at either Yankee Stadium or Citi Field, unless both teams advance to the World Series, in which case the team’s matches will probably be held at Red Bull Arena, the site of the team’s last two regular-season home games. The prospect of playing one game in the shoebox-like dimensions of either baseball field is bad enough, but playing an elimination game in that setting is far from an appetizing scenario. Orlando also doesn’t have a stellar record at Red Bull Arena.

Not only do games on baseball fields make for an unappealing watch for the fans at home, but they also heavily favor the hosts, who are accustomed to playing on the smaller dimensions, and have little issue modifying their tactics to be effective. Visiting teams tend to have a hard time getting results, with New York City only having lost four times at home all year — only one game of which was decided by more than one goal. The Lions have had a particularly horrid time when it comes to playing on the baseball diamond, and you need to look no further than the 4-2 loss back in June to see how things normally go for Orlando in that particular venue.

Compare that to OCSC’s form at home, where the Lions haven’t lost since a 3-1 defeat to LAFC on June 15 —a game in which Orlando gave a very good account of itself despite the result. The Lions have picked up some good results on the road too, but those damn baseball stadiums are a different beast entirely, and the less time OCSC spends in them during the postseason, the better.

In short, it’s important that Orlando takes care of business against Atlanta. The Lions control their own destiny, and getting a solid win against a bitter rival in the last game of the regular season would help to set the tone and energize the fanbase ahead of the postseason, particularly after having some time off for the international break. More than that though, locking up fourth place would ensure the Lions spend as little time as possible in an environment that has been almost wholly unwelcoming to them and would instead see them welcome their opponents into the comfortable confines of their den. Vamos Orlando!

Happy Friday! It’s been a long week, but we’ve made it. We’re rewarded with a thrilling slate of Orlando soccer that begins when Orlando City hosts Atlanta United on Decision Day. Orlando City B also kicks off its playoff campaign Sunday before the Orlando Pride take on NJ/NY Gotham FC. Plan your weekend accordingly and have some fun out there!

Pride Exercise Summer Yates Contract Option

The Orlando Pride and midfielder Summer Yates agreed to exercise the option on her contract to keep her at the club through 2026. The Pride selected Yates in the fourth round of the 2023 NWSL Draft in what was quite the coup for the club. The 24-year-old has scored five goals this season, including three winners to help the Pride gain valuable points en route to winning the NWSL Shield. She just signed a new contract with the club in July and it seems the club has wasted no time securing her talents for 2026.

Orlando Pride Prepare for Gotham

For the first time this year, the Orlando Pride will aim to bounce back from a loss when they take on NJ/NY Gotham FC Sunday. With the top seed in the playoffs locked up, this will be the Pride’s final road game of the year. Sunday’s match is a heavyweight showdown between two of the league’s top teams, as Gotham sits third in the standings and hasn’t lost since the Pride beat the defending champs 2-0 in Orlando on Sept. 1. Pride Head Coach Seb Hines spoke on how the team is getting ready for this match while keeping the postseason in mind.

Emily Sams Called Up for USWNT Friendlies

Orlando Pride defender Emily Sams was one of 26 players called up for the United States Women’s National Team’s training camp this month ahead of friendlies against Iceland and Argentina. Sams could make her first USWNT appearance this month, although she did receive a gold medal for being on a game day roster at this summer’s Olympics. She’s been one of the best players in the NWSL this year, so it’s great to see her called up by USWNT Head Coach Emma Hayes. Of those called up, 14 players have fewer than 20 appearances with the USWNT, including forward Emma Sears, defender Eva Gaetino, and midfielder Olivia Moultrie. Forward Jaedyn Shaw is also back after missing out on playing in the Olympics due to an injury right before the tournament began.

Man Charged With Arson at Orlando City Game

Federal prosecutors announced that Giovanni Isai Ramirez Reyes has been charged with arson for releasing two flares into the supporters’ section at Orlando City’s home game against CF Montreal in this season’s opener. A child suffered burns as a result of the incident according to the indictment, and Orlando City stated it’s been working with law enforcement to identify those responsible. The arrest was made earlier this week and Ramirez Reyes pleaded not guilty to the charges. He faces up to 40 years in federal prison if convicted.

Free Kicks

• Kansas City Current midfielder Desiree Scott will retire once this season is over after a career that’s included three stints playing in Kansas City.
• Here’s a breakdown of the playoff scenarios heading into the penultimate week of the NWSL regular season. Bay FC and the Portland Thorns can clinch the final playoff spots this weekend.
• The Levine Leichtman family has completed its acquisition of the San Diego Wave from Ron Burkle.
• West Ham’s Rehanne Skinner, who is just one of two English women managers in the Women’s Super League, spoke on how there should be more support and opportunities for women to receive coaching experience.
• French midfielder Paul Pogba spoke on how he considered retirement after being handed a four-year ban, which was later reduced to 18 months earlier this month.
• Atletico Madrid was successful in its appeal regarding fans throwing items on the field in a derby match with Real Madrid. As a result, the three-game partial stadium ban was reduced to one game and the fine was changed from $49,000 to just $3,200.

That’ll do it for me today. I hope you all have a fantastic Friday and rest of your weekend. Go Orlando!

Orlando City hosts rival Atlanta United this Saturday at Inter&Co Stadium. Despite having already secured a spot in the playoffs, the Lions will try to lock up fourth place and home-field advantage for the first round. It’s a Decision Day match against a rival. It doesn’t get any better than that.

What does Orlando City need to do to earn all three points and close the door on Atlanta United’s slim playoff hopes?

Solve the Defensive Midfield Puzzle

Wilder Cartagena is suspended for this match due to yellow card accumulation. As such, Orlando City’s excellent defensive midfield pairing of Cartagena and Cesar Araujo will not be on the field together. Whether Oscar Pareja decides to plug and play with a backup for Cartagena or change shape will impact how effective Orlando City’s defense is against Atlanta.

If Pareja decides to change shape, he could employ a 5-3-2 as he did earlier in the season to cover for Cartagena’s absence. I don’t believe this will be the route he will take given that he won’t have every player available and because Cartagena as the middle center back was key to that formation. Even if some players like David Brekalo and Dagur Dan Thorhallsson return from injury, they won’t be back to 90-minute match fitness. Additionally, Pareja likes to stick with what has been working, and that is his traditional 4-2-3-1, although he has gone to a 4-4-2 at times.

If Pareja decides to simply sub in another player, he has several to choose from. Nico Lodeiro, Felipe Martins, Jeorgio Kocevski, and Heine Gikling Bruseth are all available. As much as I’d be interested in seeing what Bruseth brings to the table, I think it’s doubtful we see him get any minutes this season. I think that the match is too important for Kocevski to get the start, which leaves Felipe and Lodeiro. Felipe offers a bit more on the defensive end, and Lodeiro a bit more on offense. My guess is that Pareja starts Lodeiro to help get a lead, and then subs on Felipe to defend it.

Continue the Crooked Numbers

Orlando City has scored at least two goals in each of its last seven matches. That has resulted in six wins, with the only blemish being the 4-3 loss to the second-place Columbus Crew. In those seven matches, the Lions scored 19 goals, spread over seven goal scorers. Facundo Torres leads the way with five in that period, followed by Ramiro Enrique with four, Duncan McGuire with three, Luis Muriel and Ivan Angulo each with two, and defenders Rodrigo Schlegel and Rafael Santos with one goal apiece.

With the one outlier, the Lions have been successful when scoring multiple goals. In that same seven-match period, Atlanta United gave up 10 goals. In four of those, the Five Stripes conceded two goals. I’m not saying that Atlanta is bad defensively, but it isn’t better than Orlando City in that department — both have allowed 48 goals this season. I am saying that Atlanta is vulnerable, especially if the Lions can keep their chances on target.

Bounce Back from the Break

This will be the first match following the international break. While some players, like Pedro Gallese, Cartagena, and Torres, are returning from their respective national teams, others have only had training sessions with the club. When a club is in good form, such a break can be detrimental. How well the Lions pick back up where they left off is crucial.

The good news is that they are playing at home. A raucous crowd can go a long way towards helping a team’s performance. Additionally, this is a rivalry match. While supporters are usually more invested in the rivalries, the players will certainly be aware of what it means to the club. Orlando City players also have the advantage of sleeping in their own beds and maintaining their regular schedules heading into this match. Sometimes it’s the little things that make a difference.

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