PawedCast Episode 544: Quakes and Nashville Rewinds, New York Preview, OCB, and More

Orlando City is coming off its best week of the season after going on the road and beating the Western Division co-leaders (second on goal differential, technically) and returning home a few days later to beat the MLS Supporters’ Shield leaders. It was something we didn’t see coming, and even the most optimistic fans out there didn’t likely expect six points out of six this week, despite the presence of Antoine Griezmann.

We break down both matches, discussing the key players, moments, and plays, as well as the new tactical setup of the team. We touch on Bernardo Rhein signing a Homegrown Player deal ahead of Saturday’s match. And we look back on our understandably pessimistic score predictions and make our selections for Man of the Match for both outings.

Our mailbagbox asked us about Orlando City left backs from now until the end of the season, and more. Remember, if there’s anything — and we do mean anything — you want us to address on the show, just ask us by tweeting it to us at @TheManeLand with the hashtag #AskTMLPC, or hitting us up on Bluesky Social with that same hashtag.

After the mailbagbox, we go through the OCB minute, as the Young Lions are struggling offensively and were fortunate to lose only 1-0 at home on Sunday against Huntsville City. We also look ahead to OCB’s trip to CT United FC.

It’s All-Star Week, and there’s no doubt Orlando fans will be keeping an eye out to see how well Maxime Crepeau plays after his fantastic week in which he kept the team’s first two MLS clean sheets in over a year.

Finally, we look ahead to Orlando City’s matchup on the road against the New York Red Bulls on Saturday night. Can Martin Perelman and Antoine Griezmann keep the good vibes going in the final game before the Leagues Cup kicks off? We look at the history of the series, present our key matchups, and make our score predictions.

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Here’s how No. 544 went down:

0:15 – Orlando City played two games against two of the three best teams in MLS and beat them both without allowing a goal. That was…unexpected.

40:07 – The mailbagbox is left-handed.

50:51 – OCB was bad on Sunday, but another match awaits on Saturday. Meanwhile, the senior Lions will be on the road in New Jersey.