Orlando City booked their place in the second round of the Eastern Conference semifinals with a dramatic 4-1 penalty shootout win over Charlotte FC.

The Lions had Facundo Torres to thank, as he scored a last-minute goal to force spot-kicks, where Charlotte were twice denied by Pedro Gallese.

Orlando had the better of a tight first half, with Torres hitting the base of the right post before sending a header against the crossbar within the first 21 minutes.

Patrick Agyemang thought he had given Charlotte the lead against the run of play just before the break, but his lob was ruled out for offside.

Charlotte eventually broke the deadlock in the 81st minute, Karol Swiderski getting a stroke of luck as his shot deflected in off Rodrigo Schlegel.

It looked like Orlando's chance was gone when Torres saw his 102nd-minute penalty saved, but the Uruguayan kept his composure to slot in the rebound.

He scored one of the hosts' four penalties but Gallese proved the hero, denying both Pep Biel and Swiderski with fine saves to send them through and set up a meeting with Atlanta United.

Data Debrief: Leaving it late

If Orlando were going to find a way back into this game, it was always going to come through Torres, who proved a thorn in Charlotte's side from the first whistle. 

He had six shots in this game, though only hitting the target twice (his saved penalty and the follow-up goal), and netted his 16th goal in MLS this season when he finally hit the back of the net.

While Charlotte suffered late heartbreak, it was a deserved win from Orlando, who dominated from the off by creating 2.41 expected goals from their 20 shots.

Dean Smith is hoping Charlotte FC can replicate their aggressive approach from game 2 when they travel to Orlando City in their MLS playoff decider.

Charlotte forced a third match in their best-of-three series against Orlando, winning 3-1 on penalties after a 0-0 draw on Thursday.

However, they lost the first game 2-0 when they travelled to Inter & Co Stadium and have not had much luck on the road against the Lions, failing to win there since March 2023.

Smith was proud of how his side took the game to Orlando on home soil and is urging his players for more of the same when they return to Florida.

"There's still a job to be done. We think we can go to Orlando and put in a performance that will put us through to the Conference semi-finals," Smith said.

"We have to take our intensity in. That's what gave us that performance, our aggressiveness.

"We forced them into mistakes, and we restricted them to almost no chances, so we were doing something right. We need to make sure we're on the front foot again and take it to them."

Meanwhile, Orlando are hoping their home advantage will provide a much-needed boost as they look to put that shoot-out defeat behind them.

They only managed one shot on target in that match and then netted just one of the four penalties that they took, but Oscar Pareja is confident they are in a strong position to go through.

"We're good. We're aiming for the same intensity, the same intentions, the same plans and the same positive essence that we have.

"When things get tight you've got to use the advantage, and we have that by being at home. We're going to be faithful to the tactics that have got us to this point.

"We have to be confident and be ourselves. Have full belief in what to do. We have a team that plays very well and one that has earned this ride, so we plan to use our advantages."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Orlando City – Duncan McGuire

Orlando attempted just three shots in their game 2 draw and penalty shoot-out defeat to Charlotte, their fewest in any MLS match this season, while hitting just one on target.

Duncan McGuire was responsible for one of those, generating 0.25 expected goals with that effort. The substitute also had the most touches in the box (three) of any Orlando player.

Charlotte FC – Kristijan Kahlina

Charlotte have won both of their penalty shootouts, beating Orlando City 4-1 on Friday after recording a 3-1 shootout win in the 2023 Leagues Cup group stage.

Charlotte have converted all seven of their penalties in shootouts while Kristijan Kahlina allowed goals on just two of the seven spot-kicks he faced.

MATCH PREDICTION: ORLANDO CITY WIN

Orlando have won eight of their last 10 home matches against MLS opposition in all competitions (D1 L1), including a 2-0 victory over Charlotte in Game 1 on October 27. The Lions scored multiple goals in all eight wins over that time.

While Charlotte stayed alive with a penalty shoot-out win after a scoreless draw against Orlando in Game 2 on Saturday, the Lions have now kept clean sheets in three straight matches against them after not doing so in any of the first six meetings in all competitions.

Charlotte's only defeat in their last seven matches in all competitions was their Game 1 loss at Orlando on October 27. In fact, Charlotte’s last loss prior to this run of seven games (W4 D2 L1) also came in Orlando (on September 18), with the omens not looking good going into their final match.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Orlando City – 53.7%

Draw – 23.7%

Charlotte FC – 22.5%

LA Galaxy were the first team to book their place in the MLS Cup playoff semi-finals after sweeping aside the Colorado Rapids 4-1 to seal their best-of-three series. 

Gabriel Pec handed the Galaxy the lead in unusual fashion when Zack Steffen's clearance deflected off the Brazilian and into the net with just eight minutes on the clock. 

But parity was restored in stunning fashion when Oliver Larraz took aim from distance and fired home the leveller with a curled effort beyond the grasp of John McCarthy. 

Greg Vanney's side would, however, restore their advantage in the third minute of first-half stoppage time with another fine strike, this time Joseph Paintsil curled a strike in off the post.

The Galaxy's passage was sealed late on with a brace from Riqui Puig, his second double against the Rapids in their two games in the postseason.

Puig poked the ball through Steffen's legs, before racing through from the halfway line and rounding the Rapids goalkeeper to seal a memorable win at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. 

The visitors' display shows they mean business in the playoffs. They had 13 shots to Colorado's eight, ending the contest with a 1.76 expected goals (xG), limiting their opponents to just a 0.52 xG in the process. 

In the other playoff game, Kristijan Kahlina's heroics helped Charlotte FC to a 3-1 victory in a penalty shootout against Orlando City. 

Kahlina saved two spot-kicks to deny Nicolas Lodeiro and Duncan McGuire in the shootout, levelling up their best-of-three series heading into the final game. 

In a game that lacked clear-cut chances, Charlotte's Adilson Malanda came closest to opening the scoring, seeing his effort strike the woodwork in the 19th minute.

The Crown were ultimately worthy winners, though, given they had 12 shots to Orlando's three, with the visitors mustering just 0.29 expected goals (xG) before penalties were required. 

And Charlotte held their nerve in the shootout, converting all three of their penalties and helped by Kahlina, who kept a division-high 13 clean sheets in the Eastern Conference during the regular season. 

“It was a wonderful game for me,” Kahlina said. “I didn’t have so much to do in 90 minutes, but I showed myself in penalties and helped my team.”

Charlotte FC head into the “most important game in their history” with a chip on their shoulder, according to Dean Smith.

The Crown were defeated 2-0 away at Orlando City in game one of the playoffs and need a win in their first-ever home playoff match to keep their hopes of progress alive.

Smith was aggrieved after designated player (DP) Pep Biel was given his marching orders after 91 minutes for violent conduct and Charlotte’s appeal was rejected, leaving their forward suspended for the home encounter.

It is a situation that Smith hopes will galvanise his team and the home crowd alike, to get them over the line and set up a final decider back in Orlando.

“We’re excited for it, we’re looking forward to it. We feel aggrieved and I think the injustice that we as a team feel will make the club grow stronger,” he said.

“[Biel’s suspension] is a problem for our club because this is the biggest game in our history. We’re at home in front of our fans for a playoff game for the first time and we’ll be missing a DP.

“But we’ve done enough for me to know that we can hurt them, especially at home with our fans behind us.”

It is seemingly a consensus across the team that home advantage can provide the key to success against Orlando.

“It’s frustrating but, it could be over three games. They used their home advantage. It’s time for us to use ours on Friday. It’s a completely different game at the Bank,” said midfielder Ashley Westwood.

If Charlotte do manage to secure a win they’ll tie the series and set up a decider in Orlando, something Smith is not as keen about.

“The only problem in this result for us is that if we get the win as we want to do on Friday, we’ll have to be back at Orlando a week later,” he said.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Charlotte FC – Kristijan Kahlina

Nominated for MLS goalkeeper of the season, he will be crucial in maintaining Charlotte’s impressive home defensive record. They kept an MLS-high nine home clean sheets during the 2024 regular season.

Going back to the end of last season, Charlotte have kept clean sheets in 12 of its last 20 home matches in all competitions.

Kahlina has played all 35 of Charlotte’s MLS matches so far this season and boasts a save percentage of 75.6%, having kept 12 clean sheets.

Orlando City – Facundo Torres

The striker was on form in game one of the play-offs, bagging a goal in Orlando’s 2-0 win. He is Orlando’s top scorer this season with 15 goals.

He has the second-best shot conversion rate at Orlando (28.8%), and his distribution is just as vital to the visitors, having made 46 key passes this season – the second most on the team.

MATCH PREDICTION: CHARLOTTE FC WIN

The only ever away win in the eight all-time meetings between Charlotte FC and Orlando City was a 2-1 win by the Lions on their first visit to Charlotte in August 2022.

Since then, Charlotte are unbeaten in three home matches against Orlando City (W1 D2).

The Crown have lost just three of their last 28 home matches in all competitions dating back to June 2023 (W13 D12), the fewest home defeats by any MLS team in all competitions in that time.

However, if anyone can get a result away at Charlotte, it’s Orlando. They have won five of their last seven away matches (L2), including winning the last three in a row.

The Lions have scored three goals in each of their last three away games, something no team has ever done in four straight MLS matches (incl. playoffs).

Orlando have got the better of Charlotte of late, unbeaten in their last four MLS matches (Wins: 2 Draws: 2 Losses: 0).

Charlotte are looking for their first league win in encounters between the two sides since March 2023. Orlando have outscored Charlotte 7-3 during their unbeaten streak.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Charlotte FC – 36.8%

Draw – 26.3%

Orlando City – 36.9%

Denis Bouanga and Cristian Olivera were on target as Los Angeles FC edged out the Vancouver Whitecaps 2-1 on Sunday.

LAFC, the 2022 MLS Cup champions, will book their place in the next round should they win north of the border next week.

Ryan Gauld netted in the 94th minute for the Whitecaps, but it was too little, too late for the Canadian side, who hammered the Portland Timbers in the wildcard round.

LAFC have now won seven straight playoff games against Western Conference opponents, while Bouanga has netted eight goals in nine postseason appearances.

Hugo Lloris, however, says LAFC must sharpen up.

"The performance is not [good] enough, but we got the result so that's the most important thing," Lloris said.

"We need to increase [our levels] if we want to have ambition. A win is a win, so that's positive, but there were things we need to fix if we are to improve."

Elsewhere, Orlando City also made a winning start to their playoff campaign as they beat Charlotte FC 2-0.

Facundo Torres put Orlando ahead in the 32nd minute at Inter&Co Stadium, with Martin Ojeda doubling the hosts' tally 14 minutes from time.

A frustrating day for Dean Smith's Charlotte team was compounded when Pep Biel was sent off late on, though they will at least have home advantage when they look to turn the best-of-three series around next time out.

Charlotte FC defender Tim Ream says it is business as usual for Dean Smith's team as they approach Sunday's MLS Cup Playoff clash with Orlando City.

Charlotte went unbeaten through their final five games of the regular season to finish fifth in the Eastern Conference, while Orlando finished one point clear of them in fourth.

They visit Florida for the opening match of a three-game first-round series on Sunday, having ended a six-match winless run on the road by trouncing D.C. United 3-0 last week.

Former Fulham captain Ream, who has played a key role since returning to the United States in August, says nothing will change about their work in training ahead of the game.

"We're just going about it in the same way we have been doing in the last couple of weeks, doing the right things in training," Ream said.

"We have to make sure we take that into the game this weekend.

"I was expecting to come in and push myself and push the other guys around me from the get-go. It doesn't always work that way but I'm very pleased with where we are."

Orlando, meanwhile, are appearing in the postseason for a fifth straight year, and forward Duncan McGuire has enjoyed being part of a fluid attack under Oscar Pareja this term.

"I'm very excited to get to the playoffs. I think the way we've shown ourselves on the field in the past few months, it's a really good brand of football that I'm excited to be part of," McGuire said.

"The way we finished the season, locking in fourth place, is huge for us, and then we're very excited to host games, which helped us in the first round last year.

"We're very excited to get to Sunday, getting a bunch of numbers forward has allowed us to be successful offensively, having so many goalscorers across this team."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Orlando City – Facundo Torres

Torres has been involved in five of the 10 goals Orlando have scored against Charlotte (three goals, two assists against them), including recording two goals and an assist in the two meetings between the sides this season.

Charlotte FC – Patrick Agyemang

Agyemang's goal last Saturday took him to 16 goal contributions for the season (10 goals, six assists), equalling Karol Swiderski (2022 and 2023) for the most in a single campaign in Charlotte's MLS history. 

No other player in team history has ever recorded 10 goal contributions in a single campaign.

MATCH PREDICTION – ORLANDO CITY WIN

Orlando ended a four-match winless run against Charlotte (two draws, two defeats) with a 2-0 victory in the last meeting between the sides on September 18. That win was the first of the sides' seven all-time meetings to be decided by more than a one-goal margin.

While Charlotte collected 13 points from their last five matches of the regular season, their best return in any five-game span in their MLS history, the Lions enter this one as favourites.

After missing the playoffs in each of their first five MLS seasons, Orlando have reached the postseason in five straight campaigns dating back to 2020, and their big-game experience could be key here.

They have won six of their last eight home matches in MLS play, drawing one and losing one, with five of those victories coming by a margin of more than one goal. 

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Orlando City – 52%

Charlotte FC – 23.5%

Draw – 24.5%

Atlanta United defender Stian Gregersen is relishing his side’s must-win game against Orlando City this weekend and is confident his team can reach the playoffs.

The Five Stripes go into the final day in 12th place in the Eastern Conference, level on points with Philadelphia Union, and three points behind the cut-off line.

While needing favourable outcomes from the matches involving CF Montreal and D.C. United, Gregersen said the focus must remain on their own performance, while also trying to maintain momentum from their win over the New York Red Bulls last time out.

“I think it's a little bit sad that we had the break because we were so good into this match, but of course, we have to look back at it and keep up,” said Gregersen. “Continue with the confidence we had after this game and continue this weekend, in the training.”

“Every match has its pressure, but this one will be a little bit more special. But we need to focus on ourselves because we know that we have to win.

“After that, we will see what happens with the other teams. I don’t want to know what happens in the other games because we have to win. We can’t control what they are doing. We have to focus on ourselves and then we will see.”

Orlando, meanwhile, have already confirmed their place in the postseason, but are arguably the most in-form team heading into the playoffs.

The Lions’ last fixture before the international break saw them sweep aside FC Cincinnati away from home, earning their sixth win from their last seven MLS games (L1). During that run, they have also scored 19 goals.

Orlando head coach Oscar Pareja understands what is at stake for Atlanta this weekend but highlighted the importance of his team scoring the first goal to control the pace of the game.

“We have found net. We have found answers from our forwards. The offensive side of the team has improved tremendously. I think the compromise that they have had with our defensive phase has brought that product,” Pareja said.  

“It doesn't make sense, but that they are scoring goals because they are defending better, and we are much, much better team when we have this commitment that the boys had up front and we're happy to do it. It's the same as we ask the defenders.

“And I said, you have to be proactive to play with the ball, and you have to have personality to play with the ball because that's the best way to defend, just being offensive. So, I'm very proud of the guys. The guys are doing a good job.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Orlando City – Facundo Torres

Torres has recorded 19 goal contributions this season (14 goals, five assists) tied for the second-most in a single season in Orlando's MLS history.

The only player with a season with 20 or more goal contributions for the Lions was Nani, who recorded 22 goal contributions in the 2019 campaign.

Atlanta United – Saba Lobjanidze 

Lobjanidze enters the final match of the season as Atlanta’s leading scorer with eight goals.

The Five Stripes have had at least one 10-goal scorer in each of the team’s first six full MLS seasons (excluding shortened 2020 season) with at least one player scoring 12 times in each season.

MATCH PREDICTION: ORLANDO CITY WIN

The last 10 meetings between Orlando and Atlanta have been split, with each side winning three times and drawing four. Neither team has won two consecutive times over those meetings with Atlanta recording a 2-0 home win in the last matchup on March 17.

However, the Lions have won 10 of their last 13 regular-season matches (D1 L2), including the last three in a row. No team has collected more points than Orlando’s 31 since the beginning of July.

Atlanta have 37 points entering the final match of the season. The fewest points the Five Stripes have totalled over a full MLS season (excluding shortened 2020 season) is 40 in 2022.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Orlando City – 57.9%

Draw –21.9%

Atlanta United – 20.2%

Pat Noonan said his FC Cincinnati side must become a team again in order to return to winning ways after their winless MLS run extended to three games in midweek.

The Orange and Blue were on the wrong side of a five-goal thriller, losing 3-2 to New York City FC as another slow start was punished at the Red Bull Arena.

While having already secured their spot in the playoffs, Noonan expressed the importance of team cohesion for the final two games of the regular season, starting this weekend against Orlando City.

"We need to be more of a team on the field. I think we have too many individual moments where we're not doing what is in the best interest of the team," Noonan said.

"It's a lot of players at a lot of different times. It's not a singular thing. We're making too many decisions where guys want to be the playmaker, they want to be the goalscorer, they want to be the assist man.

“We need to do simple things better. We overcomplicate the game right now."

Orlando, meanwhile, come into the encounter at the TQL Stadium having won five of their last six MLS games, the latest of which came in a 2-1 victory over Philadelphia Union.

Over that period of success, the Lions have scored 16 goals, conceding only six as they continue to build momentum ahead of their upcoming playoff campaign.

Head coach Oscar Pareja was pleased with his side’s display against the Union last time out, believing his side are currently the best team in the division at this moment in time.

“We are obviously very happy and satisfied with the way the team has found ways to win games and put us in a decent spot in the standings at this time of the season,” Pareja said.

“Another hard game, well played by us. We could’ve had more precision in certain moments when we could have put the game away from Philadelphia [Union], but we ended up just finishing with the 2-1 [win].

“Very tight plays at the end with them pushing and really making us feel that it could be a tight game. But all in all, I thought we were the best team on the pitch, and we have been one of the best teams in the league for me."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

FC Cincinnati – Luciano Acosta

Acosta has recorded a goal contribution in each of his last three matches, including scoring on Wednesday night.

This is the Argentine’s 11th different streak of three or more consecutive regular-season games with a goal contribution since the start of the 2022 season.

Orlando City – Facundo Torres

Torres scored in Orlando City’s win on Wednesday, his sixth straight match with a goal contribution, equalling the club record.

The Uruguayan is the third Lions player to record such a streak, after Martin Ojeda and Sacha Kljestan.

MATCH PREDICTION: FC CINCINNATI WIN

While Cincinnati are favoured to win by Opta’s data-led simulations, they have lost five of their last nine regular-season home matches (W3 D1) dating back to late May. Cincinnati had lost only three of their previous 31 home league matches dating back to June 2022.

Orlando, meanwhile, have enjoyed games away from home. Their win over Dallas last time out was their seventh road win of the season and 16th overall since the start of the 2023 campaign. Only Cincinnati (17) has more away wins since the start of last season than Orlando.

However, the last seven meetings between Cincinnati and Orlando have all been either drawn (two) or decided by a one-goal margin (Cincinnati W3, Orlando W2). There have been three total goals scored in the last four games between the sides.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

FC Cincinnati – 43.7%

Draw – 26.8%

Orlando City – 29.5%

Jim Curtin is confident the Philadelphia Union have put themselves in a good position, but admits they need to stop dropping points ahead of their trip to Orlando City.

The Union had recorded back-to-back wins in MLS before last weekend, when they let a lead slip to draw 1-1 with Atlanta United.

It leaves them ninth in the Eastern Conference, one of three teams on 37 points, as they push for a place in the playoffs.

Despite the tight table, Curtin is optimistic that their solid work to this point will be enough to help them qualify.

"We're at a point in the year that every team in and around that red line are very desperate," he said.

"It's going to go down to the last day for sure, and we've put ourselves in a situation where we're still in control of our own destiny, but our margin for error is small.

"Not taking the extra two points against Atlanta makes it a little more challenging, no doubts about that."

Meanwhile, Orlando clinched their playoff place last time out with a 3-1 win over FC Dallas.

Sitting fourth in the table, Oscar Pareja was proud of how his team turned around a poor start to the campaign but is still pushing them to finish the regular season strongly.

"We're so excited, and we have a lot of gratitude with the club and with the fans that have supported us this year," Pareja said. "One more time we qualify for the playoffs.

"It's great for a group of players that have a big heart and a big love for the club too, and a lot of passion for what they do. So, I'm very happy.

"We still have a journey to navigate. The boys are in a good mentality."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Orlando City – Facundo Torres

With a goal on Saturday, Facundo Torres has contributed to at least one goal in five straight regular season matches, equalling the longest streak of his career.

The Orlando City club record for consecutive games with a goal contribution is six, done three times before, including by Martin Ojeda earlier this season.

Philadelphia Union – Nathan Harriel

The Union drew, 1-1, with Atlanta United on Saturday despite taking a 1-0 lead, with Harriel scoring their lone goal.

Philadelphia have now dropped 24 points from winning positions this season, the second-most in MLS in 2024 (St. Louis City – 25) and most in a single season in club history, and Harriel will want to help his fellow defenders ensure it does not happen again.

MATCH PREDICTION: ORLANDO CITY WIN

Orlando defeated the Union 3-2 at Subaru Park on May 11. The Lions have never defeated Philadelphia twice in a single season before.

Indeed, Orlando are unbeaten in nine straight home matches (W6 D3) in all competitions, including keeping clean sheets in each of the last four. This is the first time they kept clean sheets in four straight home matches in all competitions in club history.

Meanwhile, the Union have won two of their last three regular-season away matches (L1), including a 5-1 victory at New York City FC on September 18. Philadelphia had won only one of their previous eight road league matches prior to this run.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Orlando City – 45.9%

Draw – 26.7%

Philadelphia Union – 27.4%

Patrickson Delgado wants FC Dallas to take momentum from their 3-1 victory over Los Angeles FC as they aim to push for the playoffs.

Dallas face Orlando City at home on Saturday, and while the visitors look well set to go on and clinch a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, it is a different matter for the hosts in the West.

Minnesota United are five points clear of Dallas in the race for a playoff spot, with just four regular-season games remaining.

But midfielder Delgado is hopeful Dallas can get over the line.

"This victory will help us gain more momentum for the final games of the season," he said after the win over LAFC, as reported by Big D Soccer.

"Our goal is to make the playoffs, and we will not give up. We will play every game like a final and finish the season strong."

Alan Velasco, who has just returned from injury, impressed against LAFC, and interim coach Peter Luccin was thrilled with his display.

"We can see what talent Velasco can do on the field, we know that," he said.

"When we are putting all those quality players together, this is what happens. We scored three goals, we could've scored one or two more.

"It's good that those two players are coming back but at the same time, we need to manage our emotions. Everyone wants to see Alan play but he's coming back from a very serious injury, so we need to manage him well."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

FC Dallas - Logan Farrington

Farrington came off the bench to record a goal and an assist in Dallas' win over LAFC, his second game with a goal and an assist as a sub this season. Farrington is one of six players in MLS history to record multiple games with a goal and an assist off the bench in a single season.

Orlando City - Facundo Torres

Torres has contributed to at least one goal in four straight regular-season appearances, the third such streak of his career, including a five-match run in 2022-23.

He is the first Orlando City player to have three streaks of four or more consecutive games with a goal contribution.

MATCH PREDICTION: DRAW

Dallas have lost only one of seven all-time meetings with Orlando (W4 D2), though this will be the first match between the sides since May 2022.

Orlando have scored only two goals in the seven previous meetings between these teams.

Dallas have won eight of their last 11 regular season home matches (D1 L2) dating back to late April. Dallas have scored multiple goals in 10 of those 11 matches, netting three or more in five of them.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Dallas - 35.4%

Orlando City - 38.5%

Draw - 26%

Defence is seemingly the best form of attack, so says Columbus Crew head coach Wilfried Nancy after his side kept an 11th clean sheet of the season in their 2-0 win over Toronto FC.

After securing their spot in the playoffs, the Crew will be looking to continue their momentum for the final games of the campaign, starting with the visit of Orlando City FC this weekend.

Nancy’s squad have been impressive at both ends of the pitch, keeping the most shutouts in the division along with scoring 54 goals, a total only bettered by Eastern Conference leaders Inter Miami (67), while also conceding the fewest goals in the MLS this term (28).

The Columbus head coach lauded his players for their showings in attack and defence, saying their success this season has been down to the competitive spirit within the group.

“This is not only the backline because the front line, but they also do a good job avoiding certain things,” Nancy said. “Obviously, also the backline does it well.

This is the competitive spirit that we have. After that, we can talk about tactics that we are good at defensively, but for me, this is this desire to compete all the time.

“Sometimes we are unbalanced because it could happen, they are able to make a play at the right moment. This is the chemistry of the team, and this is the spirit of the team. That's why we can also be good defensively.”

But another head coach that has been impressed with his side’s defensive showing is Orlando’s Oscar Pareja, with the Lions having now kept three clean sheets in their last three league games.

Orlando have also scored eight goals during that run, with their last triumph over Charlotte FC moving them up to fourth in the Eastern Conference standings.

While the likes of Facundo Torres and Duncan McGuire have starred for the Lions at the top end of the pitch, Pareja was quick to acknowledge the performances of his defenders.

“It’s also a very important phase that we have to highlight tonight as well,” Pareja said.

“Defending well as a group with consistency is probably one of the most difficult parts of the game. The back forward and those midfielders are sustaining the team in a very good way.

“We're solid. Individual performance has risen as well; it's better individually. I think that they have grown a lot during this period.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Columbus Crew – Cucho Hernandez

Hernandez came off the bench to record a goal and an assist in Columbus’ win over Toronto on Wednesday.

Since joining the Crew in July 2022, he has 11 games with both a goal and an assist in all competitions, third among MLS players in that time behind Lionel Messi (12) and Luciano Acosta (18).

Orlando City – Facundo Torres

Torres netted his team-leading 12th goal of the season for Orlando in their win over Charlotte on Wednesday and will be confident of adding to his MLS tally against the Crew.

The Uruguayan boasts an impressive record against this weekend’s opponents, contributing four goal involvements (two goals and two assists) in his five games against Columbus.

MATCH PREDICTION: COLUMBUS CREW WIN

Columbus have won two straight matches against Orlando, both with 2–0 wins in last season’s conference semi-finals and in May this year. The Crew had won just one of their previous 10 matches against the Lions prior to last season’s playoff meeting (D1 L8).

The Crew’s 4-0 loss to Seattle Sounders earlier this month was just their second defeat in their last 39 home matches in all competitions dating back to May 2023. No MLS team under Nancy’s stewardship has ever lost two straight home matches in all competitions.

However, Orlando have won six away matches in the 2024 regular season, having only triumphed more on the road in a single season last year (nine). Only FC Cincinnati (17) have more away wins than Orlando (15) since the start of the 2023 season.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Columbus Crew – 60.5%

Draw – 20.7%

Orlando City – 18.7%

Duncan McGuire is glad to be back among the goals as Orlando City continue their playoff charge, with a home clash with Eastern Conference rivals Charlotte FC next on the agenda.

McGuire had gone over two months without a goal in MLS play since netting in June's 4-2 defeat to New York City, prior to Saturday's meeting with the New England Revolution.

But he was on target in a 3-0 win for Oscar Pareja's team, who now boast a four-point cushion to those outside the automatic playoff spots in the Eastern Conference standings.

Speaking after the game, the forward said: "It's always good to score. It has been a while since I've scored. 

"It's been a bit annoying for my standards, so I'm definitely glad to be back on the scoresheet.

"But at the end of the day, if we're winning as a team, then that's all that matters. But yeah, I'm definitely glad to be back on the scoresheet and hopefully I can keep it going.

"We're very excited and it helps us with motivation and confidence going into the next one. We're excited to get the win and onto Wednesday."

Wednesday's game could prove pivotal in the battle to reach the postseason, with Charlotte just two places and two points behind the Lions in the standings.

The Crown were going well before the Leagues Cup break but have since suffered back-to-back losses versus Atlanta United and CF Montreal, leading coach Dean Smith to rally his troops.

"Before the break, we had three of the toughest games you can get, and we came through those away games unbeaten with five points and probably should have had more," he said.

"My consistent message is this is a new game; this is a new beginning. 

"When you have six games left and build it like that, then they know their performance levels have to be to go and win that game."

PLAYERS TO WATCH 

Orlando City – Duncan McGuire

Since the beginning of last season, McGuire has recorded 27 goal contributions (21 goals, six assists) in the regular season for Orlando. 

That is the second most by any American in that time, behind only Brian White (34).

Charlotte FC – Tim Ream

Ream scored his first goal for Charlotte from a header against Montreal last time out. It was Ream's second career MLS goal, with the other coming on September 11 2010, for the New York Red Bulls, a gap of 5,117 days.

MATCH PREDICTION – ORLANDO CITY WIN

Charlotte are unbeaten in four straight matches against Orlando City in all competitions (two wins, two draws) after the Lions won each of the first two meetings between the sides.

The Crown have also scored at least once in each of their last four away matches in league play, only being shut out three times on their travels this year. Only five MLS teams have been shut out fewer times on the road this season.

While they will carry a threat, Orlando have won their last two games by 3-0 scorelines, at home to Nashville SC and New England, the first time they have won back-to-back MLS matches by three or more goals. They go in as favourites.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Orlando City – 53.4%

Charlotte FC – 22.7%

Draw – 23.9%

Oscar Pareja is keen to ensure Orlando City's positive momentum does not dissipate after one poor result, as they look to return to winning ways against Nashville SC.

Orlando occupy the final automatic playoff place in the Eastern Conference, but their five-match unbeaten run in MLS play was halted by a 3-0 defeat to Sporting Kansas City last week.

With struggling Nashville the visitors to Inter&Co Stadium this week, Pareja is not worried about that defeat being a turning point.

"We recognise that we didn't have our best game in Kansas," Pareja said. 

"We tried to get our energy back during this week, understanding that we have had a good time with good results and good football. 

"We want to continue with that momentum, we feel it. We are just ready to play the next games here.

"We agreed with the players that we lost energy at Kansas, but it's not something that is common for our team."

Nashville, meanwhile, sit 14th in the standings, eight points adrift of Orlando, after losing seven straight regular-season games.

The last of those was their first MLS outing under B.J. Callaghan as they went down 2-0 to Austin FC, but the new head coach saw positive signs in their performance. 

"I think we played a game where the performance was good enough to win," he said. "We had a few moments that we lapsed. 

"That's unacceptable, we have to learn from it, we have to improve it. You have to give credit to Austin, they were able to capitalise on those moments.

"We just need to continue to sort of pound repetitions to get the timing right, get the technique right, get the service right."

PLAYERS TO WATCH 

Orlando City – Nicolas Lodeiro 

Six different Orlando City players have recorded at least four assists this season, led by Lodeiro's eight. 

Only Inter Miami (seven) have more players with at least four assists this MLS season, but Lodeiro is certainly the creative fulcrum for the hosts.

Nashville SC – Hany Mukhtar

Mukhtar has scored six goals against Orlando City in MLS play (including playoffs), tied for his most against any opponent (also six versus Atlanta and Chicago), though he has not scored in any of his last four meetings with the Lions.

MATCH PREDICTION – ORLANDO CITY WIN

Orlando have won four straight matches against Nashville, including in last season's playoffs, keeping clean sheets in all four matches.

The Lions saw their five-match regular-season unbeaten run (four wins, one draw) halted by a 3-0 loss at Sporting Kansas City last time out, conceding as many goals in that defeat as in their previous five outings combined.

However, they should bounce back here. Nashville's club-record regular-season losing streak extended to seven matches with a 2-0 loss at Austin last Saturday, and they have lost their last four on the road in MLS.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Orlando City – 58.7%

Nashville SC – 19.8%

Draw – 21.5%

Oscar Pareja said allowing his Orlando City players to rest after their exit from the Leagues Cup was crucial ahead of resuming their MLS season against Sporting Kansas City this weekend.

The Lions were knocked out by Cruz Azul in the last 32 of the competition, losing in a penalty shootout at the Inter&Co Stadium following a goalless draw in normal time.

They return to league action having gone into the break five games unbeaten, sitting seventh in the Eastern Conference table heading into the final fixtures of the campaign.  

And Pareja is confident that their two-week break will have his side fit and firing for the business end of the season.

“We definitely have put in two weeks of hard work, but at the beginning of the first week we tried to rest a couple of our players,” Pareja said.

“After the amount of games we had, it was healthy for us to recover some of our players and then the rest of the time we have dedicated our time to recovering for our next games.”

Kansas City were also knocked out of the Leagues Cup at the last 32 stage, comfortably beaten by Columbus Crew, who play Los Angeles FC in the showpiece match this weekend.

They resume their league season sitting in 12th place in the Western Conference table, triumphing in two of their final four fixtures (D1 L1) before the break and closing the gap to FC Dallas.

Despite their heavy defeat in the Leagues Cup to the Crew, head coach Peter Vermes was able to pinpoint areas in which his side could improve upon their MLS return.

“I thought we did a really good job,” Vermes said of the team’s first period. “I thought tactically and work ethic-wise, we were very good.

"We didn’t provide them with a lot of options to play. A lot of balls went wide, and we forced them backward. I thought we did a great job of that.”

“We over-committed to one side, especially in our midfield,” Vermes said. “We didn’t have any pressure on the ball, and it was an easy run in behind us.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Kansas City – Willy Agada

Kansas’ leading marksman, Willy Agada, has five goals in his last seven appearances in all competitions, and he will be key to breaking Orlando’s winning run.

His strike against St. Louis City last time out was his 20th goal in the MLS since his move from Hapoel Jerusalem in 2022, reaching that tally in 51 appearances.

Orlando City – Martin Ojeda

Ojeda has contributed to a goal in each of his last six MLS appearances, equalling the longest single-season streak by an Orlando player.

This will be the Argentine’s first appearance against Kansas, and he will be looking to add to his 12 goal involvements in all competitions upon his return to league action.

MATCH PREDICTION: ORLANDO WIN

Orlando have won four of their last five regular season matches before the Leagues Cup break, with no team collecting more points than the Lions’ 13 in July, while they also led the MLS in goals scored (14) and were tied for the fewest conceded (three) last month.

Kansas City has won four of their last five home matches against MLS opposition in all competitions (D1), including a 2-1 win over Chicago in the Leagues Cup last month.

The last six meetings between the two sides have been split with each team winning twice and drawing twice. All four wins in that time were by one-goal margins, so expect a tightly contested affair at Children's Mercy Park.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Kansas City – 33.2%

Draw – 25.6%

Orlando City – 41.2%

Oscar Pareja says the confidence of his Orlando City side is on the rise ahead of their MLS trip to Nashville SC at Geodis Park.

The Lions have triumphed in their last three league matches, overcoming New England Revolution 3-1 in their most recent outing.

Orlando are seventh in the Eastern Conference standings, and head coach Pareja believes improvements are clear to see as encouragement grows within the camp.

"Very excited with the three points, very proud of the character of the team and the players that brought us back after an irregular first half," Pareja said, referring to the Revs victory.

"It seems like our confidence keeps rising, and finding the net is helping us to believe that this is the team who can keep that rhythm and get into the playoffs.

"A team with more chemistry, but at the same time, with more passion and more energy that allowed us to dominate the game and score our goals.

"This is the first time that the team won in New England and that means a lot of respect for the players to that achieve that."

Nashville are ninth in the same East table, though only sit ahead of CF Montreal on goal difference.

They have lost their last four matches against Inter Miami, Columbus Crew, Portland Timbers and D.C. United, however, and must improve at home if they are to end that run here.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Nashville SC – Hany Mukhtar

Hany Mukhtar has nine goal contributions (four goals, five assists) in eight regular-season matches against Orlando.

The Nashville forward has only recorded more goal contributions against one opponent in his MLS career – 12 versus Atlanta United.

Orlando City – Facundo Torres

Facundo Torres has recorded two goal contributions in each of his last two matches, including scoring a brace against New England on Saturday.

This is the fourth time Torres has registered multiple goal contributions in consecutive league matches, something no other Orlando player has managed more than once.

MATCH PREDICTION – DRAW

The Opta supercomputer predicted a Nashville victory as the most likely result, however a draw appears more probable in this clash.

Nashville had suffered just five defeats in their first 19 regular-season matches in 2024 but have now lost four straight matches in all competitions for the first time in club history.

Orlando have also won their last three meetings with Nashville, including a two-match sweep in last season's playoffs.

The Lions have won four of their last five matches (L1), too, after winning four of just 18 league games prior in 2024, including wins in their previous three in a row – only twice enjoying longer victorious streaks.

However, Nashville cannot be completely ignored considering they had gone unbeaten in their previous eight against Orlando in all competitions (W3 D5) before their three-game losing streak recently.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Nashville SC win – 43.7%

Draw – 26.8%

Orlando City win – 29.5%