Orlando City vs. Real Salt Lake: Three Keys to Victory

Orlando City faces Real Salt Lake a mere three days following its match against the Chicago Fire. This is the last home match of the month before the team heads to Minnesota. Points are hard to come by on the road in MLS, making it all the more important that the Lions do so on Saturday. What must the Lions do to earn all three points against Real Salt Lake?

A Better Defense

The Achilles heel for Orlando City is the defense. Robin Jansson is often the only decent defender on the back line for the Lions. I’m not trying to take anything away from Griffin Dorsey, as he as been good as well, but he is often way up the pitch contributing to the offense. Realistically, Orlando is often playing three on the back line and two of those players are Adrian Marin and David Brekalo. The latter is somewhat serviceable, but the former has been inadequate.

Whichever players are on the back line will not be able to focus on any one player for Real Salt Lake, as the Utah side tends to spread the goals around. No one has double-digit goals, but 11 different players have scored for Real Salt Lake. That said, Sergi Solans leads all scorers. The Lions have to tighten up a leaky defense if they don’t want to give up more points at home.

Deal with the Press-ure

Real Salt Lake likes to employ a high press which Orlando City will need to play through. Fortunately, Orlando City’s passing has been better of late. That is especially true of Antoine Griezmann and Justin Ellis, though most everyone else has upped their game as well. The Lions will need to continue their quick one-touch passing. Good distribution from Maxime Crepeau will help deal with the first line of the press, after which it is up to Orlando City’s midfielders to connect the defense to Orlando’s attack.

Rest and Rotation

Even with Orlando City being out of the Leagues Cup, the schedule congestion is real. This will be the fifth match in 11 days for the Lions. While there has been some rotation in that period, the team has also lost Bernardo Rhein to injury on an already thin back line. Iago could spell Brekalo, or Brekalo could move out to fullback and Marin could sit. It’s unlikely that Dorsey sits, and almost a certainty that Jansson plays. It’s not a recipe for success, and Orlando City needs the defense to step up as I mentioned above.

Things are a little better on the offensive side of things. Orlando City has plenty of attacking options with Daryl Dike, Marco Pasalic, and Harvey Sarajian all didn’t start against Chicago. That being said, I’ll be surprised if Griezmann doesn’t start and possibly play all 90 minutes. Unfortunately, Orlando City cannot afford to give up potential points just because it’s a Western Conference opponent.

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