Orlando City
Orlando City Must Mend Major League Soccer’s Worst Defense
A look at the poor performance by Orlando City’s defense through the first four games of the 2026 season
We are officially more than 10% (11.8%, to be precise) through the 2026 season, which both sounds like a lot and also like not that much. With only one win and three losses, Orlando City surely feels more so on the “not that much” side, and would point to the fact that on points alone the Lions are in a five-way tie for ninth place in the Eastern Conference standings and only one point out of a tie for seventh.
In reality though, the Lions are in 13th place, because when multiple teams have earned the same number of points, they are separated by goal difference. At -7, Orlando City has the worst differential in Major League Soccer. There are still 30 games left in the season though, which is plenty of time for the team to get hot and turn that goal differential around.
The way to improve a goal differential is to score goals while also preventing the opponents from doing so, and while Orlando City is doing neither very well at the moment, the club is struggling considerably more to prevent goals than to score them. And when I say struggling, I mean struggling. Take a look at the table below, using the Opta tracking data that is still available on fbref.com and fotmob.com, and remember that there are only 30 teams in MLS.
| Metric | 2026 Performance | MLS Rank (of 30) |
|---|---|---|
| Goals Allowed per Game | 3.0 | 30 |
| Shots Allowed per Game | 17.0 | 29 |
| Shots on Target Allowed per Game | 7.8 | 30 |
| Goal Conversion Allowed | 16% | 23 |
| Expected Goals Allowed per Game (xGA) | 2.60 | 30 |
| Expected Goals Allowed per Shot | 15% | 27 |
| xGA per Game – Actual Goals Allowed per Game | -0.4 | 22 |
These are terrible stats, and we will look at just how terrible shortly, but we have to note that four games is a small sample size. We also have to note that in one of those four games the team played down a man for 72 minutes, which means that the Lions have played down a man for 20% of their season. Small sample sizes can provide noisy data, but in this case we are looking at the whole league on either a per-game basis or a conversion-percentage basis, and since 28 of the 30 teams have also played the same number of games, nearly every team is being evaluated on the same four-game sample.
The Lions’ defense is comfortably near the bottom of the league in every significant metric around team defense and ranks dead last in shots on target allowed, expected goals allowed, and the one that matters most — goals allowed.
It has not really mattered who was playing on the back line. Every combination that has played double-digit minutes together has been…shall we say, less than stingy.
| Back Line | Mins. Played | Goals Allowed | Goals Allowed per 90 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marín – Iago – Brekalo – Dorsey | 129 | 3 | 2.1 |
| TRB* – Miller – Brekalo – Dorsey | 104 | 5 | 4.3 |
| Marín – Miller – Brekalo – Dorsey | 86 | 2 | 2.1 |
| TRB – Iago – Brekalo – Dorsey | 31 | 2 | 5.8 |
| TRB – Marín – Iago – Brekalo – Taifi | 6 | 0 | 0.0 |
| Marín – Miller – Brekalo – Taifi | 4 | 0 | 0.0 |
*TRB = Tahir Reir-Brown
If you listen to The Mane Land PawedCast (and if you are not, then you should be), our hosts Michael Citro and Dave Rohe have extensively covered some of the reasons for why the defense has yet to gel. Injuries, late arrivals for new acquisitions, a goalkeeper who broke his commitment to sign with the club, and a coaching change all have made the circumstances difficult for the back line. Other teams have had issues as well, yet it is Orlando City that sports what is statistically the worst defense in the league through four games.
I will reiterate that there is plenty of season left, and these numbers will surely regress some towards the mean, but we are where we are after four games, and Orlando City’s defense is not just the worst in the league in 2026, but it is at the bottom when we look at every defense since the club joined the league in 2015. Including 2026, there have been 308 team defenses since that 2015 season, and in the four metrics that have consistent tracking back to 2015…well, you can see below. Bad.
| Metric | 2026 Performance | MLS Rank (since 2015) |
|---|---|---|
| Goals Allowed per Game | 3.0 | 308 |
| Shots Allowed per Game | 17.0 | 306 |
| Shots on Target Allowed per Game | 7.8 | 308 |
| Goal Conversion Allowed | 16% | 299 |
Now, the giant caveat is that aside from the other 29 teams in 2026, all of the other 278 defensive seasons are full length seasons, and over a full season, most teams tend to end up right around the same averages: allowing approximately 1.4 goals and 12.7 shots per 90 minutes. The chart below is every defense since 2018, due to Microsoft Excel’s limitation on the number of items that can be shown in one scatterplot. The defenses from 2017, 2016, and 2015 averaged allowing, wait for it…1.4 goals and 12.7 shots per 90 minutes…so you can safely assume that the chart would not change dramatically if they were included.
Goals allowed is on the y-axis (vertical) and shots allowed is on the x-axis (horizontal), so teams in the upper right, like Orlando City’s 2026 defense (circled in purple) are allowing an above average number of goals and shots each game. It should be noted that most of the extreme outliers for goals allowed on this chart are from 2026, which is not surprising because it is still so early in the season. LAFC, for example, is the first team in league history to open a season with four consecutive shutouts, but nobody expects the team to go the whole season without giving up a goal, just like nobody expects Orlando City to ship three goals per game for the rest of the season either.
The upshot of all of this is that while it is true that the Orlando City defense has been on the struggle bus through four games, we will need a lot more data before we start to really worry about this defense being the worst since 2015. This is where the Lions are, though. They also opened the season by playing three of those four games against the teams that are currently ranked first, third, and fourth in the Eastern Conference, which means that according to playoffstatus.com, the Lions have played the toughest schedule in the conference thus far.
You’ll notice that Orlando City has not played against the team ranked second in the conference, but do not fret because the Lions will go ahead and check that box Saturday night when they play at Nashville. We will see if Martín Perelman can lead the team to a second straight result, and while he is a coach who is more known for his offensive style of play, the fence, sorry, fense that needs the most mending in training this week is the one that starts with a ‘d.’
Vamos Orlando!
Lion Links
Lion Links: 7/15/26
Daryl Dike’s potential return, Orlando Pride prepare for Boston, World Cup news, and more.
Welcome to Wednesday, Mane Landers. Oh boy, do we have some news for you today. Between the Orlando Pride match tonight, the World Cup this afternoon, and some potential big signings, we have a lot to get to. We also want to wish a very happy birthday to Orlando City B goalkeeper Tristan Himes. Now, let’s get to the links.
The Return of Dike(?)
Forget “It’s coming home,” rather he’s coming home! Per Tom Bogert, Daryl Dike is set to return to Orlando City after his multi-year stint with West Bromwich Albion. Dike had a rough go of it in England, mainly due to injuries he sustained. I figure he just needs some Florida sunshine and the team at Orlando Health to help find the form that made him a terror to Orlando City’s opponents.
It also seems that the departure of Marco Pasalic is not a done deal. There has not been an official bid as of yet, and if Orlando City’s valuation isn’t met, then he may be staying. If he stays, he bolsters the attack. If not, well that’s what Dike is coming back to do and it would supply the Lions with plenty of coin to bolster the roster.
Orlando Pride Set for Boston Legacy
The Orlando Pride host expansion side Boston Legacy FC at Inter&Co Stadium tonight. The Pride will look to avenge a 2-1 loss earlier this season in Boston. After defeating the Kansas City Current over the weekend, Seb Hines’ squad will want to keep the home winning streak going. This may be Barbra Banda’s last match before heading out for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations tournament later this month, so take the opportunity to head to the match if you are in the Orlando area.
World Cup News
France was unable to keep things going as Spain defeated Les Bleus 2-0 on Bastille Day. La Roja now wait to see whether Argentina or England will be the opponent in the final. As they have done so many times this World Cup, the Spanish did not allow a goal and did enough offensively to advance. Lamine Yamal earned a penalty that Mikel Oyarzabal slotted home to give Spain a lead in the 22nd minute. Pedro Porro added another in the second half and France was unable to muster any magic.
Later today, England and Argentina square off to see which team will play the Spaniards. The amount of history between these teams at World Cups is enough to make most watch the match. I think the bigger question is which team does Gianni Infantino want to win, and will we see the same shenanigans we’ve seen in previous matches featuring these two teams? Don’t worry, England. I’m sure it’ll be fine.
USMNT Reflections
There’s been a bit of space and time for all of us to process the USMNT’s performance at the World Cup and it isn’t all doom and gloom. None other than Carli Lloyd said that despite the way it ended, it was a successful outing for the U.S. Matt Freese is trying to see the positives even though he made a costly mistake that gave up a goal to Belgium. Folarin Balogun said what I was thinking in that a certain phone call about his red card did affect the USMNT’s nerves heading into the match against Belgium. Lastly, the future could be bright thanks to these five USMNT prospects.
Free Kicks
- Atlanta United has signed Chilean defender Paulo Diaz on a free transfer. I didn’t realize a team could improve the defense with signings.
- As I alluded to above, Ismail Elfath will lead an all-U.S. Soccer referee crew for the match between Argentina and England. I’m curious to see how it plays out.
- If you want to watch the Bundesliga, you may need to get another streaming service as the U.S. rights are moving from ESPN to USA Network & Fandango.
- Charlotte FC is ending the practice of charging Personal Seat Licenses (PSLs) in an effort to stem declining attendance and slower ticket sales. I’m glad that was an experiment that failed in MLS even if it is standard in other American professional sports.
- The New England Revolution have signed 18-year-old Peyton Miller to a contract extension through the 2028-2029 season.
- Former Orlando City B defender Nabi Kibunguchy has signed with USL Championship side Indy Eleven. We wish him luck with his new team.
That will do it for today. Check back later for our coverage of the Orlando Pride’s match against Boston Legacy FC. You can follow The Mane Land on Bluesky for updates. Vamos Orlando!
Lion Links
Lion Links: 7/14/26
Marco Pasalic transfer rumor, Marta up for weekly award, MLS transfer roundup, and more.
Good morning, everyone. I write to you from Texas, specifically Dallas, as I was in Austin to see friends over the weekend and decided to pop up the road to take in the energy of the World Cup semifinal that will be played in the city later today. I won’t be attending the game, since I don’t wish to sell one of my kidneys but am looking forward to mingling with some of the fans who have traveled here for it. We’ve got a lot to talk about this morning, so let’s get into the links.
Marco Pasalic Transfer Rumor
There have been some quiet rumblings for awhile now that Marco Pasalic may leave Orlando City during the summer transfer window. We now have a more concrete report regarding a potential departure, as the streets are saying that the winger is set to sign for newly promoted Hull City, with a price tag of at least €7 million.
If the move does come to pass, it would reunite him with manager Sergej Jakirovic, who he briefly played for during his time at HNK Rijeka. Jakirovic also stated in a recent interview that he wants to sign Pasalic, so this is a rumor that could have some legs.
Marta Up for Weekly Honors
The Orlando Pride picked up an excellent win on Friday by knocking off the Kansas City Current 3-0, and Marta has been rewarded for her efforts in the victory with a nomination for the NWSL Player of the Week. The Brazilian legend bagged the team’s first goal shortly after halftime, when she found herself in space well outside the box and unleashed a low left-footed drive into the bottom corner for her 50th goal as a Pride player. For some reason, she was snubbed in the Goal of the Week voting despite her impressive strike, so make sure you go vote for her for Player of the Week!
MLS Transfer Roundup
With the MLS summer transfer window opening on Monday, we’ve got a slew of moves to get caught up on. We begin with confirmation of an item that we covered in Monday’s Links, as Nathan Ordaz has officially moved to D.C. United in exchange for up to $2.875 million. The New England Revolution have extended Matt Turner’s loan from Lyon, with the new deal lasting through December. It also has an option to extend the loan again until December 2027, after which the Revs have a purchase option. Atlanta United has signed Paraguayan center back Junior Alonso on a free transfer, with his deal running through the 2028-2029 season. Finally, Charlotte FC has announced the signing of forward Allan Saint-Maximin as a Designated Player. He will occupy the DP slot vacated by Wilfried Zaha.
USWNT Announces Fall Friendlies
The United States Women’s National Team has announced that it will play a pair of October friendlies against Spain in a matchup of the reigning World Cup champions against the reigning Olympic champions. The USWNT will face the top-ranked team in the world on Oct. 10 at Audi Field in Washington D.C., and again on Oct. 13 at Subaru Park in Chester, PA. The Oct. 10 match will also have a pregame retirement celebration for USWNT defender Crystal Dunn. This will be just the fourth time that the two teams have faced each other, with the U.S. winning two of the three previous meetings. The two friendlies will be the last games that the USWNT plays before beginning World Cup qualifying.
Previewing France vs. Spain
The World Cup semifinals begin today, with France and Spain set to throw down in Dallas. For France, the stars are too many to count, with Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, and Michael Olise all taking turns lighting up both the field and the scoreboard for the team that has made back-to-back appearances in the final. As far as Spain goes, all the focus is on Lamine Yamal, as the young winger has been key to Spain’s success despite scoring just one goal. If Nico Williams is able to start on the opposite wing, the French won’t be able to key so heavily on Yamal, and it could open up more space for him in which to operate. The matchup between the youngster and Lucas Digne will be key, as will the ability of either Mikel Oyarzabal or Ferran Torres to be effective up top for Spain.
Free Kicks
- Former Lion Daryl Dike is leaving West Bromwich Albion. We know a team that just traded a striker.
- Debinha has signed a contract extension with the Kansas City Current.
- Hydration breaks will reportedly be a key element in future negotiations for soccer media rights.
- Manchester United is reportedly in advanced negotiations to sign midfielder Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa.
- Pau Cubarsi has pushed back on comments made by Spain’s former prime minister Mariano Rajoy, in which he claimed that France “don’t have any French players.”
That’s all I’ve got for you this morning. Vamos Orlando!
Lion Links
Lion Links: 7/13/26
Pride and OCB win, Maxime Crepeau to compete in MLS All-Star Skills Challenge, Latest MLS transfer roundup, and more.
Hello, Mane Landers! I hope all is well with you down in Florida. I’ve been very busy at work, but I look forward to watching the 2026 FIFA World Cup semifinals and final this week. We’ve got plenty to cover today, so let’s get to the links.
Pride Shut Out Kansas City Current at Home
The Orlando Pride defeated the Kansas City Current 3-0 at Inter&Co Stadium Friday night, bouncing back from a tough outing at Angel City the previous week. After a scoreless first half, Marta scored the opener from long distance to give Orlando the lead. Hannah Anderson and Barbra Banda added a goal apiece as the Pride have won three out of their last four league matches. Goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse earned a clean sheet in her 100th appearance for the club. Orlando remains eighth in the NWSL table with 20 points. The Pride will be back in action at home Wednesday, taking on Boston Legacy at Inter&Co Stadium.
OCB Wins at FC Cincinnati 2
Orlando City B beat FC Cincinnati 2 by a 2-1 scoreline at NKU Soccer Stadium in Highland Heights, KY on Sunday. Issah Haruna’s goal gave the Young Lions the lead in the first half. In the second half, Cincinnati leveled the match, but Matthew Belgodere scored the winner on the road. That result pulls the Young Lions into third in the MLS NEXT Pro Eastern Conference standings with 33 points, just one point off leaders Chattanooga FC. OCB will be away for another road test Saturday against Chattanooga FC at Finley Stadium.
Orlando City Reportedly Submits Transfer Offer for Alex Moreno
Orlando City has reportedly submitted a transfer offer to sign Girona defender Alex Moreno. No agreement has been reached between the two sides, and conversations remain ongoing, according to reports. Moreno made 31 appearances for Girona last season in La Liga and recorded three assists. The 33-year-old left back remains under contract with Girona through 2027, but the club was relegated from La Liga to La Liga 2 last season. Several European clubs have also expressed interest in signing Moreno, including La Liga sides Real Betis and Rayo Vallecano.
Crepeau to Compete in MLS All-Star Skills Challenge
Orlando City goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau will compete in the 2026 MLS All-Star Skills Challenge at Truist Field in Charlotte on July 28, the club announced Friday. The competition will feature top players from Major League Soccer and Liga MX competing to test their soccer skills on the pitch. Five skills challenge competitions are featured, including the All-Star Goalie Wars, All-Star Crossbar Challenge, and the MLS vs. Liga MX Relay Challenge. Each competition will crown its own champion this year, switching from the traditional MLS-versus-opponent format used in previous years.
Latest MLS Transfer Roundup
According to Tom Bogert of The Athletic, Sporting Kansas City has emerged as a potential option to sign former Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah.
D.C. United has reportedly acquired forward Nathan Ordaz from LAFC.
Meanwhile, the Seattle Sounders have reportedly traded defender Cody Baker to the New England Revolution.
Free Kicks
- Former Lion Silvester van der Water has signed with Cambodian Premier League side Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng FC.
- Ted Lasso actor Cristo Fernandez, who plays Dani Rojas in the show, made his professional debut for USL Championship side El Paso Locomotive over the weekend.
- FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed that the organization will examine expanding the men’s World Cup from 48 to 64 teams after the 2026 tournament concludes.
- Senegal has fired manager Pape Thiaw following its Round of 32 defeat to Belgium in the World Cup.
That will do it for me today, Mane Landers. Enjoy your Monday, and I’ll see you next time.
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