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Orlando City

Orlando City vs. Charlotte FC: Final Score 2-0 as Lions Open 2024 Playoff Run with Home Victory

Facundo Torres and Martin Ojeda provided the offense, leading Orlando City past Charlotte FC in the Lions’ playoff opener.

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3 months ago

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Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Jeremy Reper

Facundo Torres and Martin Ojeda scored on either side of halftime as Orlando City (1-0) defeated Charlotte FC (0-1) in Game 1 of the teams’ first-round, best-of-three series at Inter&Co Stadium tonight. The Lions controlled the game almost from start to finish, allowing the visitors little room to attack and finding spaces to create chances, handing Charlotte its first loss since the team’s last visit to Orlando in September.

Orlando finally scored more than one goal in a playoff game, but the Lions could have had even more had they been just a tad more clinical with the volume of chances they created. In the end, two was enough to open the series with a win, as Pedro Gallese only had to make two saves to earn his third MLS playoff shutout.

“We’re very happy with the result, but much more for the way we did it against a tough rival in a very difficult postseason game, which means a lot for our fans,” Orlando City Head Coach Oscar Pareja said. “First half, we controlled it and we had a lot of volume. We created many chances. We missed a lot of opportunities.”

Pareja’s lineup included Gallese in goal behind a back line of Rafael Santos, Robin Jansson, Rodrigo Schlegel, and Dagur Dan Thorhallsson. Cesar Araujo and Wilder Cartagena started in central midfield behind an attacking line of Ivan Angulo, Ojeda, and Torres, with Ramiro Enrique up top.

Orlando City dominated the first half but was wasteful with its opportunities, especially early. The Lions took the first shot of the game six minutes in as Cartagena sent an attempt from outside the area that was always going wide. Ojeda tried to redirect it in front, but it was just out of his reach. A minute later, Torres fired from the right but his shot was deflected out for a corner by the defense.

On the set piece, the Lions played it short and tried something off the training ground that nearly came off. A ball from the top of the area was sent into the box for Schlegel, who sent his header wide in the eighth minute. Orlando couldn’t pay off another couple of corners just after that opportunity.

Charlotte finally got forward in the 16th minute and a dangerous cross in from the left was just over two attacking players in front, sailing harmlessly out for a goal kick.

Araujo unlocked the defense with a brilliant pass in the 20th minute that sent Enrique in behind. The striker fizzed a shot inches wide of the left post from the right to waste the opportunity. The flag came up on the play, which would likely have been reviewed had Enrique found the net.

In the 22nd minute, the visitors got their best chance of the half as Liel Abada shielded off the defense well on the left and fired on frame, but Gallese was there to make the save. A minute later, Charlotte sent a good cross in from the right to Karol Swiderski, but it was a tad behind the striker and he headed it over the bar.

Orlando’s first shot on target came in the 26th minute when Torres tried his luck from outside the area. He put a lot of power on his shot, but it was right at Kristijan Kahlina, who fought it off.

The Lions broke the scoreless deadlock in the 32nd minute. Angulo sent Santos into the left corner and the fullback sent a dangerous cross into the six. Adilson Malanda tried to head it away but Torres stepped in front of it, chesting it down and firing it off the bottom of the crossbar and in to put Orlando City on top. It was Torres’ 46th career goal across all competitions, tying Dom Dwyer’s career combined (USL and MLS) mark. It also set a new single-season mark with 19 across all competitions, and it was Torres’ third goal against Charlotte in as many meetings in 2024.

“We worked a lot during the week in trying to take it a little bit deeper down the line and hit it back toward the center and back toward that back post, because Charlotte likes to get a lot of guys into the box defensively,” Torres said. “Thankfully, the ball kind of came my way. I just thought, ‘Just hit it on goal and see where it goes.’ And thankfully it went in.”

Orlando kept coming and had a good attacking movement in the 35th minute that appeared would put Enrique in behind. Torres continued his run on the play and the two Lions collided, knocking each other down to end the threat.

Angulo sent a cross in with teammates breaking in the 38th minute but sent it too close to Kahlina. Seconds later, the Lions nearly doubled their lead. Cartagena sent a beautiful through ball that sprung Enrique again. This time, the Argentine got his shot on target, but Kahlina got a piece of the shot with his leg, deflecting it off the right post to keep it a one-goal game.

That was the last good look of the half as the Lions took their slim advantage into the break.

Orlando City held the halftime advantage in possession (61.3%-38.7%), shots (11-3), shots on target (3-1), corners (6-0), and passing accuracy (90.9%-82.4%).

Charlotte came out in the second half and controlled the ball more but Orlando City’s defense kept the visitors from creating many opportunities from that possession. Once Charlotte started pushing up the field, the Lions looked more dangerous on the counter. Charlotte racked up corners and set pieces in the second half but couldn’t make them pay off.

“Second half, we became more tense, and the first 15-20, minutes in the second half, we sensed that we are winning, but this is a dangerous situation, and we started dropping in the zone that we don’t feel comfortable,” Pareja said. “But we just started getting some spaces too. So it was like a trade.”

Enrique missed another opportunity in the 50th when he got down the left side and tried a shot with his off foot, blasting it wide of the near post.

Torres should have doubled the lead in the 54th minute on a great attacking movement. Ojeda got down the left and pulled a pass back through traffic to a wide-open Torres in the box. The Uruguayan had plenty of time and space but he fired the shot too close to Kahlina, who made the save.

The visitors got three corners in quick succession over the next several minutes but the Lions did well to clear the danger, although they could never quite get out in transition off of them.

“I feel like the first half was really good from the team, and in the second we kind of dropped down a little bit, and I feel like we got a little bit sloppy, and that’s something that we can’t do in the playoffs,” Thorhallsson said. “So, we need to go the full 90 minutes with just full effort and full concentration. I feel like we did it. It dropped a little bit, but it’s just something that we need to be careful about.”

Araujo won a corner kick in the 64th minute and the initial ball was cleared. The recycle found Schlegel in front but the center back couldn’t get much on his shot, allowing Kahlina to make another save.

Charlotte nearly tied the match in the 70th minute and it would have been a controversial one. Substitute Patrick Agyemang pulled Jansson down in front as a cross came in from the left, leaving him all alone in front. The big striker’s header was too close to Gallese, who made the save. Jansson wasn’t happy with the lack of a call but managed not to pick up a yellow card for dissent.

Ojeda looked exhausted at that point in the game but it’s a good thing he didn’t get subbed off immediately, because he doubled the lead in the 76th minute, just moments after giving the ball away and conceding a free kick in Orlando’s defensive end.

Araujo sent a good ball forward down the left. Ojeda was offside but made no play on the ball, allowing Angulo to blaze down the left flank and beat Nathan Byrne to the ball . Angulo used his first touch to poke the ball inside to Ojeda. With Charlotte waiting for Ojeda to play the ball across to a teammate, the Argentine instead fired a shot just inside the left post, beating Kahlina to make it 2-0 with his last involvement in the game. It was the first time the Lions have scored twice in an MLS playoff game.

“Martin gave us that bit of peace when we scored a second one,” Pareja said. “In those instances where the other team is just throwing bodies up front, and they had this chance with Agyemang. And we were tense too. We were waiting for that second one. Martin was looking a bit tired but also his intentions were correct all the time too. And Martin has that quality of not just creating dangerous plays but he’s finalizing. His second goal in two games is great for us and a great moment as well.”

The visitors threw some attacking subs on to try to get back into the game but it was Orlando creating more on the counter in the final minutes. However, the Lions left Pep Biel alone outside the box in the 86th minute and it was nearly costly, as the winger smashed a shot just wide of the right post and into the outside netting.

Orlando had a few transition opportunities but couldn’t pick out the correct pass. One of the best chances dissolved when Angulo held the ball too long with second-half substitute Duncan McGuire breaking behind the defense on the right and another was just a tad behind McGuire.

Disaster struck for Charlotte early in stoppage time when Biel tangled with Jansson and kicked out at the Orlando center back, intentionally tripping the Swede. Referee Drew Fischer showed Biel a straight red card, sending him off, meaning he’ll be suspended for Game 2.

McGuire nearly got in behind late in stoppage time, but an untidy touch allowed the defense to recover and knock it out for a late corner. Shortly after the set piece, the game was over.

Orlando City finished with the advantage in possession (55.8%-44.2%), shots (17-9), shots on target (6-2), corners (8-4), and passing accuracy (88.6%-84.2%).

“We came into today looking for that victory, knowing that we were going to be playing in our home, in front of our fans, and we were looking to take advantage of that home-field advantage and carry a win into Charlotte,” Torres said. “We knew that coming into tonight, if we were able to get the win, that that was going to elevate the confidence for us going forward and how we were going to approach the rest of the series. And so, being able to get the win tonight and coming off a really good game, we know that we can go into Charlotte with a little bit more tranquility, but the same level of intensity, and try and go out and repeat and get that win in the series on Friday.”

“The boys were very happy on this first achievement, or this first win in the playoffs. But I noticed as well that they were very committed with just move on and prepare for the next one,” Pareja said. “Their experiences during the playoffs in Major League Soccer tell them, and tell us, this is one game. We need to move on and then prepare with the same intensity and responsibility, because it’s a series that is not done yet.”

These two teams will be back at it Friday night in Charlotte for Game 2 of the series. If Orlando gets a road win, the Lions would advance to the conference semifinals.

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Orlando City

Previewing Luis Muriel’s Second Year in Purple

Orlando City needs more production from its Colombian striker in 2025, so what’s the best way to get it?

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13 hours ago

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January 10, 2025

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Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

The 2025 season will be Luis Muriel’s second as an Orlando City player following a 2024 campaign that wasn’t bad but was uneven and marked by potential that ultimately went unfulfilled. With the Colombian striker still occupying a Designated Player slot, there’s a lot of questions about how he’s going to fit into the team.

With him occupying a precious DP slot and commanding the highest salary on the team by a comfortable margin, it’s essential that the Lions get maximum output from him on the field. What’s the best way to do that, though? With the departure of Facundo Torres and Muriel getting a full off-season and preseason under his belt, there are a few different ways to achieve that goal.

Striker

The obvious answer is the reason that he was brought to the City Beautiful in the first place — to play him at striker. Duncan McGuire likely won’t be available until sometime in April, meaning that Muriel will be duking it out in preseason with Ramrio Enrique (and to a lesser extent, Jack Lynn) for the right to start as the tip of Orlando City’s proverbial spear. He got some time there last year in the first few months of the season, but ultimately his production, or lack thereof, opened the door for McGuire, and later Enrique, to supplant him.

The most straightforward way to get him in the team is to get him scoring in the volume that he’s shown himself to be capable of. It wouldn’t require any alterations to the formation or moving players around to areas where they might not be comfortable. Orlando could try to go big for a winger with proven goal-scoring threat to help replace the Facundo Torres-sized hole on the right wing, Ivan Angulo can stay out left, Martin Ojeda retains his place at the 10, and things keep ticking along.

The big question is whether he can find the back of the net consistently enough to justify going this route, particularly when McGuire and Enrique have proven themselves to be capable of providing solid scoring output. However, if he shows better than Enrique and Lynn in preseason, this is probably the most likely route.

Winger

Another solution, and probably the one that would be second easiest, would be to deploy him at the winger spot vacated by the now-departed Torres. This would allow Enrique and McGuire to compete for the no.9 slot, while filling Torres’ place with someone who is capable of creating and producing goals for others at the same, if not higher, level, and it wouldn’t require any formation or positional shifts.

A downside is that the right-footed Muriel wouldn’t be inverting the way that Torres did, which would tweak some of the team’s tactics and patterns of play in the final third. Additionally, it would be gambling on Muriel improving his goal-scoring numbers despite being shifted out wide and presumably not having as many looks at goal.

In this scenario, the Lions likely aren’t going out and adding a third Designated Player, or if they are, it’s probably an attempt to upgrade over Angulo — something which just doesn’t seem super likely to me, given how ever-present he’s been in the lineup since joining the team. I also don’t know if I can see Luiz Muzzi and Co. standing pat with the current state of a roster that couldn’t win it all and then lost its best player.

No. 10

A different route would be to trot him out at the no.10 position, where he often found himself deployed when coming on as a substitute during the second half of the year. The advantages of this solution are that it would allow the Colombian to utilize his considerable passing range and ability on the ball while minimizing his need to contribute large amounts of goals. On the downside, it would require shifting Ojeda out of the central position that he occupied to such great effect during the second half of the 2024 season. While Muriel has played well in this position, I can’t see the decision-makers being willing to gamble on Ojeda regressing if moved out wide again.

Shadow Striker/Roving Playmaker

The final, and most intriguing (and complex) of the options would be to deploy him as a shadow striker/roaming playmaker as part of a front two. Muriel drops into the hole behind the striker and moves around, finding space just behind his fellow forward, popping up wherever the spaces are and making it difficult for teams to zero in on patterns of play.

Again, it would allow him to use his excellent passing and dribbling ability to create scoring chances for McGuire/Enrique, while still getting him some looks at goal. It’s also a position that he’s played at various times throughout his career, including last year, when we saw him partnered with McGuire in either a 4-4-2 or 3-5-2. The two played well together during those games, and showed signs of a flourishing partnership that ultimately wasn’t pursued further as the team got more bodies healthy and Ojeda began to shine as the central player in the three-man attacking midfield.

The biggest problem would be finding a formation that gets Orlando’s best players on the field in their best positions. A 4-4-2 would allow a midfield of Ojeda, Angulo, Wilder Cartagena, and Cesar Araujo, but Ojeda would need to be out wide and we’ve already covered why that’s an issue. A 3-5-2 would also allow for those guys to be on the field, but then Dagur Dan Thorhallsson and Rafael Santos would likely be sacrificed, and Cartagena would move to center back while Nico Lodeiro slotted into the midfield in his place. OCSC is better when Cartagena and Araujo are partnering in the midfield, and I love having Santos’ crossing ability and DDT’s versatility on the field. For me, it would be cutting off your nose to spite your face.

An interesting solution could be trying a 4-2-2-2, with Santos, Robin Jansson, Rodrigo Schlegel/David Brekalo, and Thorhallson at the back, Araujo and Cartagena as the defensive midfielders, Angulo and Ojeda as the attacking midfielders, and Enrique/McGuire and Muriel up top, with Muriel operating as the shadow striker. To get the necessary width in attack, one of the fullbacks (presumably DDT) could invert into the midfield when in possession, and one of the defensive mids (likely Cartagena) would drift out wide while Ojeda plays centrally, where he operates best. The biggest issues here are that it would necessitate a lot of tactical variation from what the team is accustomed to, requires Thorhallsson to run his guts out, and is susceptible to getting torched on the counterattack. There’s a world where it could work, but I wouldn’t expect to see it.

At the end of the day, everyone’s lives are made easier if having a full off-season and preseason under his belt helps the Colombian DP find his shooting boots and he hits the ground running as the striker in Oscar Pareja’s preferred 4-2-3-1. Orlando adds firepower at right wing, Ojeda stays in the middle, and Muriel does what he was primarily signed to do — score goals. If that doesn’t happen, there are still ways to try to get him involved, but each solution comes with its own unique set of advantages and disadvantages to navigate. Either way, Muriel’s fit during the 2025 season is an intriguing storyline to watch as we build towards the start of the new campaign. Vamos Orlando!

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Lion Links: 1/10/25

Orlando City reportedly nears signing Nicolas Rodriguez, Orlando Pride re-sign Marta, Americans abroad this weekend, and more.

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16 hours ago

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January 10, 2025

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Mark Thor

Happy Friday! I’m already pretty much over this cold weather. While it was a nice change of pace, I’ve never been a huge fan of shivering in my car while waiting for the heat to get going. Thankfully, it looks like some warmer weather is coming this weekend before temperatures dip again next week. But enough about the weather, let’s get to today’s links!

Orlando City Linked With Nicolas Rodriguez

According to Fabrizio Romano, Orlando City is close to signing Colombian winger Nicolas Rodriguez from Fortaleza in Colombia’s top flight.

The 20-year-old would bring the club some needed attacking power and Orlando has open U22 Initiative slots to make it happen. The Lions have yet to make much noise this off-season beyond transferring Facundo Torres to Palmeiras, so hopefully signing Rodriguez kicks off the excitement ahead of the 2025 season. Another report has the transfer fee coming in around $2 million, with Fortaleza keeping a 30% sell-on fee if he’s sold in the future.

Marta Re-Signs With the Orlando Pride

The Orlando Pride have re-signed Marta to a new contract that will keep her in the City Beautiful through 2026. Whether or not Marta would return was the biggest question mark surrounding the club after her contract expired following a historic season that included winning both the NWSL Shield and the NWSL Championship. Marta is one of the best attacking midfielders in the league and was a finalist for both the NWSL MVP and NWSL Midfielder of the Year awards last year. Enjoy how Marta revealed the big news through the club’s social media. She definitely had me in the first half.

Keeping Up With the Americans Abroad

Goalkeeper Ethan Horvath had a stellar game in Cardiff City’s 1-0 win over Sheffield United in the FA Cup, making seven saves in the shutout. It was his first start for the club since August and he could get the nod in Cardiff’s next FA Cup match in February. Lindsey Horan had an assist in Lyon’s 2-0 road win over Dijon, while Cameron Carter-Vickers and Auston Trusty started in Celtic’s 2-0 win against Dundee United.

As for upcoming action, Joe Scally will have a chance to impress when Borussia Mönchengladbach hosts Bayern Munich on Saturday. Elsewhere in the Bundesliga, Giovanni Reyna and Borussia Dortmund will take on Bayer Leverkusen today. Serie A should feature the usual suspects on Saturday, with Christian Pulisic, Yunus Musah, and AC Milan playing Cagliari and Tim Weah, Weston McKennie, and Juventus facing off against Torino. We also might get to see Matt Turner in goal when Crystal Palace plays Stockport County in the FA Cup.

FA Cup Third Round Storylines

There’s plenty of more FA Cup soccer all over England this weekend to check out. While we were robbed from seeing Ashley Young and his son Tyler Young play against each other in Everton’s 2-0 win against Peterborough United, there are still many storylines in the third round. The heavyweight matchup is between Arsenal and Manchester United on Sunday. While it may be too much to say some of the English Premier League’s bigger clubs are on upset alert this weekend, Tottenham’s road game against Tamworth and Liverpool’s match with Accrington Stanley could prove interesting. Manchester City is set to take on a Salford City side owned by several former Manchester United players as well.

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That’s all I have for you today. I hope you all have a fantastic Friday and rest of your weekend!

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Orlando City

Orlando City is Often Late to the Transfer Party

Why you shouldn’t worry that we’re still waiting on Orlando City’s off-season signings.

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1 day ago

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January 9, 2025

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Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

Here we are yet again. It’s that time of the year when seemingly every MLS club is making moves, signing new players, and going about the business of getting better for the coming season. It’s also the time of the year when supporters of Orlando City are looking around like Vincent Vega in Pulp Fiction, wondering where the signings are for the Lions.

I’m here to tell you not to panic. As frustrating as it is, this is business as usual for Executive Vice President of Soccer Operations and General Manager Luiz Muzzi and Vice President of Soccer Operations and Technical Director Ricardo Moreira. In case you’ve forgotten, here are some late signings that the club has made over the years.

January Signings

Despite how it feels, Orlando City signs plenty of players in January. Some of those have been earlier than Jan. 9. Nicolas Lodeiro signed with the club on Jan. 4, 2024, Rafael Santos signed on Jan. 5, 2023, and Cesar Araujo signed Jan. 7, 2022. I understand if you think they shouldn’t count since it was before this exact time of the month, but some fans have been freaking out for a week.

Let’s look at those on this day of the month or later. That list includes Martin Ojeda, who became a Lion on this day in 2023. In addition, Pedro Gallese signed Jan. 17, 2020, Ramiro Enrique signed on Jan. 30, 2023, and Dagur Dan Thorhallsson signed the very next day. All four of those players were consistent starters in 2024.

February/March Signings

Muzzi and Moreira aren’t afraid to wait to see if Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow to sign new players. Just last year, the club signed David Brekalo on Feb. 8 and Luis Muriel on Feb. 15. Muriel really came on late in the season, and Brekalo will certainly be vying to get his starting spot back in 2025.

I’ve saved my most compelling example for last. Orlando City signed Robin Jansson on March 12, 2019. All he’s done is become Orlando City’s captain and all-time appearance leader. His contributions to the club are extensive. Not too bad for a very late signing.

Historically speaking, Orlando City isn’t doing things any slower than usual. That is why I’m saying not to panic…yet. The Lions made it to the Eastern Conference final for the first time in 2024. If they want to win MLS Cup, the club will need to continue to improve the team.

Given the departure of Facundo Torres, at least one major signing needs to happen. Like you, I hope that signing happens sooner than later. Indeed, I’d like to see several signings, as the club wisely uses the money from the Torres deal to bolster the club for the upcoming season.

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