Orlando City at Toronto FC: Three Keys to Victory

Decision Day is almost upon us with Orlando City’s playoff position in the balance. The Lions travel north of the border to Canada to take on Toronto FC. If Orlando City is able to get a victory, the club is assured of avoiding the play-in match. If not, then things get a bit dicier. This is a winnable match for the Lions. What must Orlando City do to earn all three points against Toronto Saturday night?

Please, May I Have Another?

One of these days the Lions are going to score more than one goal and win the match as a result. Saturday night against Toronto FC is the perfect time to do so. I’m not saying that Toronto has a bad defense — the Reds have only allowed 42 goals this season — but it’s the last match of the regular season, so it’s the perfect time by default.

I’m perfectly happy if Dagur Dan Thorhallsson, Alex Freeman, or any player scores a goal, but I’m really hoping that Orlando’s Designated Players can get back on the scoring bus they were driving earlier this season. There’s no more waiting for Martin Ojeda, Luis Muriel, and Marco Pasalic to contribute to the offense again. It has to happen now.

Squeaky Clean

While I’m asking for things that haven’t happened in a while, can the Lions give us a clean sheet? It has been over four months since Orlando City blanked the opposition. While there have been injuries, international call-ups, and a bevy of different lineups since then, but much like the scoring-multiple-goals thing, this is the last chance of the regular season to get a clean sheet.

Orlando City will likely need to do it without Robin Jansson, thanks to the injury he sustained against Vancouver, although the availability report isn’t out yet. Thankfully, Alex Freeman and David Brekalo will be back from international duty. We will likely see them with Rodrigo Schlegel and Adrian Marin on the back line. Orlando’s back line, even with a starter out, should be able to defend against a Toronto club that has only scored 33 goals this season —  though two of those were against Orlando City earlier this season. That’s all they get.

Wide-Open Attack

Orlando City can take advantage of its speedy players on the wings to create chances for the Designated Players. I expect Freeman and Ivan Angulo to cause trouble down both sides of the pitch for the Toronto fullbacks. It is something that Oscar Pareja’s teams tend to do, so I’m leaning into it.

I also think that we will see Tyrese Spicer come on in the second half to provide a little spark against his former team. He scored a goal for Trinidad & Tobago on Tuesday and it’s my hope he’ll do the same for Orlando City. I even made a bold prediction on The Mane Land PawedCast regarding Spicer. Now, I just need him to prove me right.

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