Orlando City vs. LA Galaxy: Three Keys to Victory

Orlando City heads to the other coast to take on the defending MLS champions LA Galaxy Saturday. The Lions are coming off a dominating 4-1 victory over D.C. United at Inter&Co Stadium. Orlando City looks capable of beating any team with the way the offense is humming, but road wins are tough to come by in MLS. Here’s what Orlando City needs to do to earn all three points against the LA Galaxy.

Keep the Good Times Rolling

Orlando City leads MLS in scoring with 13 goals so far this season. Just as importantly, the Lions’ three Designated Players — Martin Ojeda, Luis Muriel, and Marco Pasalic — have accounted for nine of those goals. Additionally, the trio has provided seven of the 16 total assists this season. I’m no math guy, but 20 goal contributions from the players that are supposed to be doing just that is good stuff.

The Galaxy have shipped 10 goals so far this season. The champs are vulnerable and the Lions are on a goal-scoring hot streak. If the Lions can get the first goal of the match early, they will better be able to dictate the terms to the home team. As such, the Orlando City offense, led by the Designated Players, needs to keep things going against the Galaxy. I expect it will take multiple goals to secure a win.

Get Gritty

Cesar Araujo made his return against D.C. United and it was the first time Orlando City didn’t give up multiple goals this season. I want to see him be the enforcer he usually is against the likes of Edwin Cerrillo and Christian Ramirez. However, I also want to see Eduard Atuesta show a bit more grittiness in the defense as well. You can’t push the ball forward if you don’t take it away from the opposition.

Pedro Gallese will be back for this match, and he will rightly get the start. I’m not taking anything away from Javier Otero’s first start, but sometimes defenses take on more responsibility when you have a younger, less experienced keeper in goal. That shouldn’t mean Araujo or the back line can take it easy. We’ve seen what happens when this defense loses focus and it isn’t good. Show me the grit.

The Intangibles

Traveling all the way across the country to play is never an easy proposition. Away matches in MLS are always difficult because your routine is a bit messed up. You don’t get to sleep in your own bed, the climate is different, and in L.A. you’re kicking off when you are usually going to bed. The Lions need to overcome all of those elements to maximize their chances.

Of course, not all the intangibles are against the Lions. The Galaxy have struggled to start the season, and a team can press too much when looking for a win in front of the home fans. Additionally, the Galaxy are playing in Concacaf Champions Cup, with their next match three days later on Tuesday night against Tigres UANL. Hopefully they’ll be keeping an eye on minutes played for their starters in anticipation of the Champions Cup match.

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