Orlando City head coach Oscar Pareja praised his side’s “seriousness” of returning to winning ways ahead of welcoming New York City FC to Inter&Co Stadium this weekend.
The Lions recorded a fourth straight MLS triumph against Nashville SC last time out having won just one of their previous seven league encounters.
Orlando’s upturn in form has seen them bridge clear daylight between the sides below them and currently sit seventh in the Eastern Conference table, just five points behind New York Red Bulls.
Pareja is hoping to continue their upward trajectory on home soil this weekend, with his players’ maintaining their responsibilities highlighted as a key component to their recent success.
"We are really happy, indeed with the result, but most importantly with the seriousness of the team, the discipline, the responsibility that the boys have had on bouncing back from those difficult moments,” Pareja said.
“And not just bounce back, but just keeping the level and the feeling and the plays against a [Nashville] team that is very difficult. I thought we played a very serious game.
“I see that group just playing the way we are and keeping our responsibilities, but at the same time being productive for the group. Very complete game for us and we're happy and ready to move toward the next one.”
For NYCFC, they are now without a win in their last three league fixtures following their 2-2 draw with Atlanta United in midweek.
But the draw at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium did come with its positives. Daniel Rios and Saba Lobzhanidze had given the hosts a comfortable two-goal advantage heading into half-time.
However, Nick Cushing’s side showed their powers of recovery to score twice after the interval, with Talles Magno’s late penalty securing what could prove to be a very important point.
NYCFC are currently in fifth in the Eastern Conference table, and know a win is a must ahead of the Leagues Cup break next week.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Orlando City – Martin Ojeda
The Lions have been among the goals in their recent MLS fixtures, with Martin Ojeda key to their goal-scoring output.
Ojeda has registered four goal contributions in his last five league games (two goals, two assists), with one of those assists coming in the reverse fixture between the two sides back in June.
NYCFC – Talles Magno
Having suffered a knee injury in NYCFC’s opening game against Charlotte, Talles Magno had to bide his time for a return to first-team action, but he took that opportunity with both hands upon his return.
Magno scored a penalty in their draw with Atlanta and boasts an impressive record against this weekend’s opponents.
In his four games against Orlando, the Brazilian has scored two goals and provided two assists, losing just once against the Lions.
MATCH PREDICTION: ORLANDO CITY WIN
Orlando came into the contest with their confidence sky-high following their fourth consecutive league victory. Their last longer winning streak came between October – November 2023 when they won six on the bounce.
The Lions have scored 22 goals in their last eight league games, the most they have managed this season, as they continue to climb the Eastern Conference table.
NYCFC are enduring another period without a victory and have now gone three games without a win. However, they boast an impressive record over this weekend’s opponents and are unbeaten in their four meetings (W3, D1), with their last defeat coming in August 2022.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Orlando City – 46.5%
Draw – 26.5%
NYCFC – 27%
Inter Miami v Chicago Fire: Messi missing again as title tilt continues
Inter Miami will again be without injured superstar Lionel Messi as they look to continue on their course for the Supporters' Shield on Saturday.
Miami will host Chicago Fire with Messi absent, just as he was for the midweek home win over Toronto FC.
"Leo will continue to be evaluated by our medical staff week to week," coach Tata Martino said.
"We will see how he recuperates without taking any type of risk."
Messi suffered an ankle injury while on Copa America duty with Argentina, winning that competition but appearing to hamper Inter's title hopes in the process.
But Martino's men are still well placed to achieve their goals, starting with the regular-season championship.
With victory over Toronto, in which Federico Redondo took centre stage with two goals, Miami became the first team to reach 50 points this season.
They have achieved that feat within 24 games, joining esteemed company. The only six teams to previously tally 50 points inside 24 games have gone on to win the Supporters' Shield.
Next opponents Chicago at least head into this encounter off the back of a win of their own, beating FC Cincinnati on the road on Wednesday.
"When you come on the road and get a result like this, it's a great team effort," said Fire coach Frank Klopas.
"Certain guys are playing really well at the moment, but I still feel that everyone can give more. There's a lot more potential in there with the group.
"That's why this game on Saturday is so massive for us."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Inter Miami – Federico Redondo
Miami may be missing Messi, but the supporting cast has consistently stepped up this season. They have had four different players score two or more goals in a match, tied for the most in MLS.
The latest of those was Redondo, scoring his first goals in MLS against Toronto. With an assist in that game, too, he will hope that is the start of a strong run of game.
Chicago Fire – Brian Gutierrez
The Fire have had just three goals from substitutes in 2024, yet two of those have been among their past three goals. The latest, their winner against Cincy, saw Gutierrez emerge from the bench to score.
The midfielder will not want that to develop into a consistent theme, however, surely preferring to play from the start. He had done so in each prior game going back to April.
MATCH PREDICTION: INTER MIAMI WIN
Chicago have actually won four of their six games against Miami, including the past three in a row.
But New York City FC are the only team to further extend such a streak against Miami, and their run of five straight victories ended back in 2022. Miami are a very different prospect in 2024.
Their stretch of scoring in 10 consecutive MLS matches is a club record, with their tally of 19 goals across those games showing the task that lies before Chicago – with or without Messi.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Inter Miami – 64.2%
Chicago Fire – 16.7%
Draw – 19.1%
Reggae Girl Chantelle Swaby inks two-year deal with Leicester City
Jamaica's senior Reggae Girl Chantelle Swaby is set to realise a lifelong dream of playing in the Barclay's Women's Super League (WSL), as she was signed by Leicester City on a free transfer.
Swaby, agreed to a two-year deal with Leicester City after her contract with French club FC Fluery expired recently.
The versatile player, who has been capped 38 times for Jamaica, is eager to hit the ground running at the King Power Stadium.
“It feels great to have signed for Leicester City. I’ve been wanting to come to the WSL for years now, but I just haven’t had the chance to, so I’m happy to be here and can’t wait to get started," she told the club website.
"I know this will be a really good experience and a great challenge for me, and I'm really excited. Playing as the home team at King Power Stadium will be a whole different experience, and I'm really looking forward to getting started with my teammates and meet the supporters,” Swaby added.
The 25-year-old made 33 appearances across two seasons and helped FC Fleury finish fifth in the French top-flight league last season. Prior to that, she represented American outfit Sky Blue FC and had a one-year stint with Rangers in the Scottish Women's Premier League, where she won the 2021–22 title.
Interestingly, Reggae Boy Bobby Reid was recently picked up by Leicester City's male team following their promotion to the English Premier League (EPL).
Schmeichel reunites with Rodgers at Celtic
Kasper Schmeichel has signed a one-year deal with Celtic, while reuniting with former Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers.
The Denmark goalkeeper joins the reigning Scottish Premiership champions as a free agent after his departure from Belgian side Anderlecht, where he spent a single season.
Schmeichel, who also spent a year with Ligue 1 outfit Nice in 2022-23, brings plenty of experience to Celtic Park, following his 11-year stint with Leicester.
The 37-year-old helped the Foxes to their fairy-tale Premier League triumph in 2016, along with their FA Cup success five years later.
Rodgers was Schmeichel's coach in his final three years at the King Power Stadium, and both are excited to renew that working relationship.
"I am absolutely delighted to join Celtic and can't wait to get started," Schmeichel told the club's official website.
"Celtic is one of the world's proper football clubs, a massive name and a place of real passion and success. Celtic is what football is all about.
"I know Brendan very well, too. He is a top manager and someone I can't wait to work with again.
"I'm really looking forward to meeting up with the boys [on their pre-season tour] in America and starting our work and then, of course, meeting our fans who bring so much to Celtic.
"I will be doing all I can to keep Celtic on top and bring these brilliant supporters more and more success."
"I am really pleased to bring Kasper to Celtic," Rodgers added. "He is a real quality keeper and someone with the ability and personality to be great for us.
"He is a guy I trust and someone who knows how to win. He lives for football, and he is coming to a club where he will feel the same passion that he has for the game.
"I know he will feel right at home at Celtic, and we look forward to working with him as we all aim for more success."
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