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Orlando City

Orlando City’s Defense Must Start Rocking Right Now

Orlando City’s defensive struggles and the historical risks of giving up an average of more than two goals per game.

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19 hours ago

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Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock penned a song in 1988 that became a staple on dance floors and in sports arenas everywhere, and it will probably remain so for years to come. That song is the classic single “It Takes Two,” a favorite of mine for as long as I can remember. The reason I bring it up here is not because of Rob Base and his excellent flow, but rather because in three of the four games this season “it takes two” was also the answer to the question “how many goals will the Lions need to score to at least give themselves a chance to earn a point?”

Sadly, in the other game of the first four it was not it takes two but rather it takes two times two, or perhaps it it takes two two times, when the Lions gave up four goals in the season opener.

The regular season is 34 games long, and with only four games played, Orlando City still has 88% of its games remaining. And, with one win and one draw among those first four games, the Lions have earned four points, which is better than last season, when they had only earned one point after their first four games. That team went on to make it all the way to the Eastern Conference final, so we should not overreact to a slow start.

And really, the slow start is only on the defensive side, because the offense has scored nine goals, tying for second in MLS so far, and it is also among the top teams in shots (second), shots on target (third), goals per shot (seventh), and goals per shot on target (sixth).

I wanted to look a little more at the defense this week, and in particular look at that ugly stat around giving up at least two goals in every game. I looked back at the last three seasons in MLS to see how many regular-season games a team gave up at least two goals, and I was both heartened and disheartened by what I found. Here are the results, broken out by each team’s final position (reminder that the regular season is 34 games):

Final Position202220232024Three-Year Avg.
Champion11131914.3
Runner-Up4121410.0
Conf. Finalist14.010.013.512.5
Conf. Semi-Finalist13.012.313.813.0
Conf. Quarter-Finalist13.212.113.512.9
Wild CardN/A14.51916.8
Did Not Make Playoffs17.515.819.517.6

It was heartening to see that the average across every final position that ended in the playoffs was at least 10 games, and most were at least 12.5. I had thought it would be a lower average, so based on Orlando City’s early performances, I was glad to see that it was higher than I thought.

Though it is not in the chart above, the average for all playoff teams during the three seasons was 13.1 games of giving up at least two goals. That is approximately 38% of a season, so the average playoff team gave up at least two goals in nearly two out of every five games. This was also more than I thought, and it means that Orlando City can pretty quickly get back onto a similar pace with a good run of defensive form.

While I was happy to see that most teams — even teams that went deep into the playoffs — had posted double-digit games of shipping two or more goals, that still does not change the fact that Orlando City is on pace to give up two or more goals in…let me check my math here….every game this season. A four-game sample is a small one, and it would not be wise to make any firm conclusions off of that, but it is simple math to look at the three-year averages for the teams that went deep into the playoffs and to calculate that Orlando City is already around one-third of the way there, with nearly 90% of the season left to play. Disheartening.

The obvious question is why are the Lions giving up so many goals, and, as was discussed a bit on the most recent episode of The Mane Land PawedCast, the team has started four different defensive lineups in four games, and the Lions will make it five for five during this week’s game against D.C. United, as Pedro Gallese was called up to Peru’s national team, so Javier Otero will likely be the starter in goal. The back line in front of Otero will probably be a repeat of a lineup that has already been used, but the lack of continuity in defense has certainly contributed to some of the issues in the first four games.

Head Coach Óscar Pareja has pointed to individual mistakes that need to be cleaned up for the results to improve, but the team as a whole has allowed the fourth-most shots on target this season, an average of 5.75 per game. Using expected goals as a measure for the danger of the locations of the shots allowed, Orlando City is giving up shots from the second-most dangerous locations across MLS, making it unsurprising that its opponents have put so many shots on target per game and converted 10 of those shots into goals. Individual mistakes certainly contributed, and Robin Jansson was called for a questionable foul that gave the Red Bulls an undeserved penalty kick, but the issues seem to be a little deeper than just a few mistakes that need to be cleaned up.

Or, perhaps it is a few individual mistakes, a lack of continuity on the back line and also some bad luck. Six of the goals allowed have been from within four yards, one was a penalty kick, and one was shot into a wide open goal after Rodrigo Schlegel took perhaps the worst touch in his professional career. According to Opta’s tracking, Orlando City only gave up five goals from four yards or closer in 2024, and for that number to already be six this season seems like an aberration more than a new normal. The team also opened the season against Philadelphia, and after four games played, the Union lead the league in goals scored. That was also the game when Jansson was unexpectedly scratched from the starting lineup just minutes before the opening kickoff, changing the defensive game plan considerably.

Maybe that is me seeing the glass half full instead of half empty, but these are the same defensive players as last season, with the exception of Alex Freeman playing instead of Dagur Dan Thórhallsson for most of the minutes at right back. The defensive statistics were much better in 2024 than thus far in 2025, and Freeman is not a downgrade from Thórhallsson, so I think a positive regression to the mean will be coming. The 2024 team also gave up 10 goals in the first four games, 2.5 goals per game, but then gave up 40 goals in the next 30 regular-season games, a reduction of more than one goal per game, from 2.5 to 1.33.

The Lions’ defense has the talent and the experience to do something similar this year, especially as the players spend more minutes together, and there is no time like the present to have their first game of giving up fewer than two goals. I do not think it is too much to ask, and if the players are looking for some inspiration, they could get that by watching the Orlando Pride’s defensive players, who are coached by former Orlando City defender Seb Hines.

Let’s hope that the defense can, to quote Rob Base, make this thing go right.

Vamos Orlando!

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Lion Links

Lion Links: 3/21/25

Scott Sutter joins Orlando Pride staff, Pride watch party schedule announced, USMNT falls flat vs. Panama, and more.

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6 minutes ago

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March 21, 2025

By

Carlos Romero, The Mane Land

Welcome to the weekend, Mane Landers. I just found out that Barbra Banda’s goal didn’t win NWSL Goal of the Week, despite earning the most fan votes. Utterly ridiculous and I hope that Banda takes out the supporters’ frustration this weekend. I need these upcoming matches to take the bad taste of that USMNT match out of my mouth. In the interest of moving on, let’s get to the links.

Former Lion Scott Sutter Joins Orlando Pride Staff

Former Orlando City fullback Scott Sutter has joined Seb Hines’ staff with the Orlando Pride. Sutter was one of three new support staffers announced by the Pride on Thursday and will serve in the role of player development coach. Sutter made 51 appearances with Orlando City in 2017 and 2018, scoring four goals and adding six assists in his time with the club. He joins fellow former Orlando City players Hines and Giles Barnes on the Pride’s staff. Previously, Sutter has coaching experience as a volunteer assistant coach at the University of Virginia and as an academy head coach with D.C. United. 

The Pride also named Erin Angelini as the new head of rehabilitation and Tara Kaff as the club’s performance nutritionist. In addition to the new hires, Chris Cafaro and Christi Edson were promoted to head of video performance analysis and head of performance, respectively.

Pride Announce Watch Party Schedule

You can watch the Orlando Pride away matches in the comfort of your own home, but if you crave the excitement of celebrating goals with your follow supporters, you can attend of the club’s official watch parties. These events are scheduled for some of the Pride’s biggest away matches against the best the NWSL has to offer. The match Sunday against NJ/NY Gotham FC is a must-see match and the first of those aforementioned watch parties.

Lifeless USMNT Crashes Out of Nations League

The USMNT lost 1-0 to Panama on a second-half stoppage-time goal from the visitors. The U.S. garnered most of the possession and more shots, but the Yanks couldn’t finish their chances and it came back to haunt them in the end. The loss knocks the U.S. out of the Concacaf Nations League, meaning it will be the first time that the competition isn’t won by the USMNT.

New Women’s World Sevens League

A new 7-v-7 league, Women’s World Sevens, will launch in May with a reported $5 million grand prize pool for each event. Eight clubs will participate in each event, though the participants have not yet been announced. We do know that form USWNT star Tobin Heath will be involved as a player advisor for the events.

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That will do it for today. Make sure to check back as we get you ready for the Orlando City and Orlando Pride matches this weekend. Vamos Orlando!

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Orlando City

Orlando City vs. D.C. United: Three Keys to Victory

What do the Lions need to do to secure three points at home against D.C. United?

Published

21 hours ago

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March 20, 2025

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Image courtesy of Orlando City B

Orlando City returns to Inter&Co Stadium Saturday night to face Eastern Conference foe D.C. United. The Lions have given up a ton of goals this season but have also scored quite a few. However, with only one win so far, Orlando City needs to get a positive result at home this weekend. Here’s what Orlando City needs to do to earn all three points against D.C. United.

Blank Benteke

D.C. United has scored six goals so far this season. Christian Benteke has scored three of those six goals. While that is completely unsurprising, it also makes Benteke the most important player on the field for the Lions to shut down. Orlando City has given up at least two goals in every match and a total of 10 goals already this season. That must change on Saturday night.

Robin Jansson is back in the starting lineup, but he didn’t have his best match against the New York Red Bulls. We need the Beefy Swede to get back into form both mentally and physically if he is to help keep Benteke off the scoresheet. Obviously, Jansson won’t be the only player needed to stop Benteke, but he is the leader of the team and the leader of the defense.

The other major factor is Pedro Gallese’s absence, as the keeper will be on international duty. That means Javier Otero will get his first MLS start in goal. Otero will need to rise to the challenge in front of a leaky back line. Said back line needs to stop being so leaky to help out Otero. Everyone elevating to get the job done is ideal.

Continued DP Contributions

Orlando City’s Designated Players have scored six of the club’s nine goals, and provided four of the team’s five assists on the season. While that is exactly like it should be for any team, that hasn’t always been the case for the Lions in the past. It’s so normal and also so odd at the same time.

D.C. United has given up five goals so far this season, which is pretty average in comparison around the league. My point is that Kim Jun-hong is not Carlos Coronel, and D.C. United’s defense hasn’t been as stingy as the New York Red Bulls defense. If the Lions can score two goals against New York — and it should have been more — then Marco Pasalic, Martin Ojeda, and Luis Muriel can certainly score multiple goals against D.C.

New Midfield, Who Dis?

Eduard Atuesta had an excellent game against the New York Red Bulls. Joran Gerbet had as good a first start as any rookie could in place of Cesar Araujo, who missed the match due to some tightness late in the week. Orlando City may have its starting defensive midfielder back, but if not, then Gerbet will need to build on his performance from last week.

The D.C. United midfielders are expected to provide service for Benteke. The Orlando City midfield needs to disrupt that service at every opportunity. If they do this, then Atuesta can do what he does best to link the defense to the Orlando City offense and provide opportunities to the attack to hopefully outscore D.C. United.

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

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Lion Links

Lion Links: 3/20/25

Marco Pasalic making an early impact, Seb Hines prepares for NJ/NY Gotham FC, USMNT plays Panama tonight, and more.

Published

1 day ago

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March 20, 2025

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Jeremy Reper

How’s it going, Mane Landers? Not only do we have Orlando soccer to look forward to this weekend, but there’s plenty of international soccer to enjoy as World Cup qualifying heats up all over the world. Before we dive into today’s links, let’s all wish a happy birthday to Orlando Pride forward Barbra Banda!

Marco Pasalic Impressing Early On

Former MLS player Dax McCarty weighed on which MLS newcomers have been off to a hot start this season, with Orlando City winger Marco Pasalic earning some recognition. The 24-year-old already has three goals and an assist to his name, shaking off some of the concerns about Orlando’s attack heading into the season. While I think it’s a bit early to say that Pasalic has truly replaced Facundo Torres, it is nice to see that he’s already making an impact in a league that can be a bit difficult to get the hang of for new Designated Players. Hopefully he can keep the goals coming when the Lions take on D.C. United at home Saturday.

Seb Hines Talks Shop Ahead of Match Against Gotham

The Orlando Pride started their 2025 NWSL season with a dominant 6-0 win over the Chicago Stars and will look to keep the momentum rolling when they face NJ/NY Gotham FC in their first road match of the year on Sunday. Pride Head Coach Seb Hines spoke on how his team will have to be at its best to get a result against a Gotham side that has plenty of talent and is coached by Juan Carlos Amoros. He also discussed the Pride’s focus on converting more from corner kicks and the versatility that Prisca Chilufya adds to the attack.

USMNT Takes On Panama Tonight

The United States Men’s National Team will face off against Panama tonight in the Concacaf Nations League semifinals in Los Angeles. Panama has been a thorn in the Yanks’ side in recent years, beating the U.S. in penalties in the 2023 Gold Cup and getting the best of the USMNT again in last year’s Copa America. Tonight’s match will be the toughest test yet for Head Coach Maurico Pochettino, who will have to navigate these two Nations League games without some key defensive players. The winner of tonight’s game will face either Mexico or Canada in Sunday’s final.

Bethany Balcer Stepping Away From Soccer

Racing Louisville forward Bethany Balcer has announced that she will be taking a break from soccer to focus more on who she is outside of soccer.

“The last year and a half I’ve found my identity slowing [sic] slipping away being consumed with soccer and being a professional athlete,” she wrote. “I’ve been chasing things that are material, I’ve become bitter, and I’ve lost my love and joy for the game.”

Balcer has been in the NWSL since 2019 and has been an advocate for players taking care of their mental health. Former Orlando Pride player Sydney Leroux made a similar decision a few days ago, choosing to step away from soccer for her mental health the day before Angel City FC’s season opener. Broadened mental health services was part of the collective bargaining agreement last year for the league and it’s important for players to have improved options when it comes to the mental toll that being a professional athlete can have on them.

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

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