2019 Orlando City SC season

The 2019 Orlando City SC season was the club's ninth season of existence in Orlando and fifth season in Major League Soccer, the top-flight league in the United States soccer league system. Alongside Major League Soccer, the club also competed in the U.S. Open Cup, reaching the semi-finals for the first time.

Orlando City SC
2019 season
CEOAlex Leitão
ManagerJames O'Connor
StadiumExploria Stadium
MLS:Conference: 11th
Overall: 22nd
MLS Cup PlayoffsDid not qualify
U.S. Open CupSemi-final
Top goalscorerLeague:
Nani (12)

All:
Nani (12)
Highest home attendanceMLS: 25,527
(March 2 vs. NYCFC)
Lowest home attendanceMLS: 22,341
(May 19 vs. FC Cincinnati)
All: 5,556
(June 19 vs. New England Revolution, USOC)
Average home league attendance22,761
Biggest winORL 5–1 CIN (May 19)
Biggest defeatNE 4–1 ORL (July 27)
SJ 3–0 ORL (Aug. 31)
ORL 2–5 CHI (Oct. 6)
← 2018
2020 →

Season review

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Pre-season

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During the offseason, Orlando City parted ways with General Manager Niki Budalić who had been at the club since January 2016 and held the role of GM for two years.[1] He was replaced in the role by FC Dallas vice president of soccer operations Luiz Muzzi.[2] The day after Budalić departed, the club announced that a total of nine players were out of contract, most notably captain Jonathon Spector marking the second consecutive season the team's captain had left following Kaká's retirement a year earlier.[3]

The club undertook its second major roster rebuild in as many years during James O'Connor's first winter transfer window in Orlando. By the end of December the team had already sold Amro Tarek, Mohamed El Monir and Yoshimar Yotún who had all featured in major roles in 2018 while bringing in two of O'Connor's former Louisville City players Greg Ranjitsingh and Kyle Smith from USL,[4] as well as Ecuador international Sebas Méndez.

Benji Michel was signed to a Homegrown deal, becoming the club's fifth homegrown player; the first to be born in Orlando and come up through the Development Academy.[5] The team also tried to sign Santiago Patiño to a Homegrown contract but the move was controversially blocked by MLS. Luiz Muzzi continued to argue the case throughout the Combine and events leading up to the SuperDraft stating "We feel like the league did us wrong on this one." Orlando eventually decided to draft him with their #3 overall pick with O'Connor describing the selection as "a message to all our other homegrowns."[6]

Orlando announced six preseason matches for 2019 including the inaugural iteration of the OC Invitational, a preseason friendly tournament that would feature New York City FC, New England Revolution and Minnesota United FC with each team facing two of the other three participants. It marked only the second time that the club would play preseason games open to the public following a friendly against Bahia in February 2016.[7] The Lions lifted the OC Invitational trophy after winning both of their games against New York City FC and New England Revolution. Minnesota United FC would finish on the same record but with worse goal difference.[8]

On February 18, Orlando unveiled Portuguese international winger Nani as a Designated Player, joining on a free transfer from Sporting CP.[9]

March

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Orlando's fifth MLS campaign began at home to New York City FC on March 2, marking the third time the two 2015 expansion teams faced each other on opening weekend. The game finished 2–2 after the Lions trailed 2–0 at the break thanks to goals by Mueller and debutant Akindele. The result meant Orlando remained unbeaten on matchday one since joining MLS.[10] The following week Orlando traveled to Chicago for their first road game of the season. The game ended 1–1 when C.J. Sapong equalized for 10-man Fire in the final minute.[11] It marked the first time since April 29, 2018 that Orlando had earned any points away from home. The first defeat of the season came in week three as Orlando lost 3–1 to Montreal Impact at home. Ignacio Piatti scored a brace to take his all-time individual total against the Lions to 10 goals in 10 games, the most of any single player against Orlando in MLS while Orlando City goalkeeper Brian Rowe was forced into a career-high eight saves.[12] The following week, Orlando went to reigning Supporters' Shield winners New York Red Bulls and got their first win of the season. Former Red Bulls captain Sacha Kljestan scored the only goal of the game as the Lions got their first road win since April 29, 2018, the first of James O'Connor's reign, and also kept their first clean sheet on the road since April 13, 2018.[13] The month ended with a 2–1 defeat to D.C. United. The result followed a series of controversial calls on the Rooney goal including a phantom foul, incorrect ball placement and impeding of the Orlando goalkeeper, none of which were called or looked at by VAR and led to a post-match tirade by O'Connor who slammed the officiating.[14][15]

April

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On April 6, Orlando earned their first home win of the season. Designated player Nani scored his first goals for the club including an 89th-minute penalty to secure a 4–3 win over Colorado Rapids following a lengthy lightning delay at half-time.[16] Orlando's first away loss of the season was on April 13 when they fell 2–1 to Real Salt Lake. It was the first time in the teams' five meetings that RSL had won.[17] In their next game, Orlando earned their first ever victory over Vancouver Whitecaps FC with Nani deflecting in a late 88th-minute winner.[18] Orlando's final game in April was the reverse fixture of the season opener against NYCFC, ending in another draw like the first meeting. Nani scored in his fourth consecutive game to equal Dom Dwyer's club record goal streak set in April 2018.[19]

On May 2, MLS officially announced Atlético Madrid as the opposition for the 2019 MLS All-Star Game set to be hosted by Orlando City SC at Orlando City Stadium on July 31.[20] On May 4, the team were held scoreless for the first time on the year in a 2–0 home defeat to Toronto FC.[21] They had their second consecutive shutout loss a week later against Atlanta.[22] On May 19, Orlando played new expansion side FC Cincinnati for the first time, beating them 5–1. It was the first time since May 6, 2018 that Orlando had won a game by more than one goal.[23] The team ended with a frustrating 1–0 defeat to LA Galaxy having out-shot the visitors 19–4.[24] On May 29, the team announced plans to move all of Orlando City's development pyramid to one single site, creating a new 20-acre state-of-the-art training complex at Osceola Heritage Park to house the senior team as well as OCB and the Development Academy.[25]

June

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On June 1, Orlando opened the month with a 3–0 victory away to Montreal Impact, the team's first road win by multiple goals since April 13, 2018 when the Lions earned a 2–0 win over Philadelphia Union.[26] On June 4, Orlando City held a press conference to announce the sale of the stadium's naming rights to Florida-based time share and vacation rental company Exploria Resorts. As a result, the stadium was renamed Exploria Stadium.[27] On June 12, the team won their opening U.S. Open Cup game of the year 3–1 over USL Championship side Memphis 901, to progress to the Round of 16. The game was notable for Robin Jansson's first goal as a Lion.[28] The following week, Orlando booked their place in the quarter-finals with a 2–1 victory after extra-time over fellow MLS side New England Revolution.[29] On June 26, Orlando played their first league game since June 1 following two Open Cup matches. They lost 1–0 to D.C. United after Wayne Rooney scored from within his own half.[30] The team's final game of June was away to Columbus Crew, a 2–0 victory to give the team their first winning record in June since their inaugural season in MLS.[31]

July

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July opened with back to back games against Philadelphia Union home and away. On July 3, Orlando lost 3–1 at home with Jansson and Kljestan both receiving red cards during the game.[32] The away match was originally scheduled for July 6 but a pre-match adverse weather delay due to lightning storms turned into a full postponement with MLS rescheduling the game for the next day - a decision that was not received well by Orlando City as it not only impacted the team's U.S. Open Cup quarter-final preparations but there were also three major international tournament finals on that day: Women's World Cup, Copa América and Gold Cup.[33] Orlando would go on to draw the game 2–2, conceding a late equalizer to Kacper Przybyłko who had scored twice against the Lions earlier in the week.[34] Following the game, an issue with the rescheduled travel arrangements meant the squad ended up stuck in Philadelphia for an additional second day.[35] On July 10, Orlando City progressed to their first ever U.S. Open Cup semi-final, beating New York City FC on penalties after a 1–1 draw with Maxi Moralez scoring a 90 6-minute equalizer to send the game into extra-time. Adam Grinwis made two saves in the shoot-out.[36] The game received viral media coverage for what became known as "The Running of The Wall."[37] When NYCFC won the coin toss and elected to kick the penalties in front of an empty South Stand, the opposite side of the stadium to The Wall where the Orlando City supporters were housed, the Orlando fans took it upon themselves to run en masse down the length of the concourse and fill up the stand directly behind the goal the penalties were being taken.[38][39][40] Three days later, Orlando hosted Columbus Crew in the league, winning 1–0 courtesy of late Benji Michel goal, his first in MLS.[41] However, the team ended July with a run of three games without a win, taking a point on the road in a 1–1 draw to Portland Timbers[42] before defeats to New York Red Bulls[43] and New England Revolution.[44]

Orlando hosted 2019 MLS All-Star week at the end of July. On July 29, Orlando City's eMLS professional FIFA player FIFA Abe, alongside guest player AnthFifa, won the eMLS All-Star Challenge that also featured Landon Donovan and Diego Forlán. The victory earned $5,000 for the Orlando City foundation.[45][46] On July 30, MLS debuted a new skills challenge event, pitting three teams composed of All-Stars (Wayne Rooney, Jonathan dos Santos and Carlos Vela), Atlético Madrid players (Koke, Héctor Herrera and João Félix) as well as players from Orlando City (Nani, Sebas Méndez and Chris Mueller) against each other in a series of games created by F2Freestylers.[47] The event, held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, was won by the Orlando City team after Nani hit the crossbar with the last kick of the competition, winning an additional $25,000 for the Orlando City Foundation.[48] Nani was Orlando City's sole representative in the All-Star Game, coached by James O'Connor and won 3–0 by Atlético,[49] while Benji Michel and Mason Stajduhar both featured in the 2019 MLS Homegrown Game.[50]

August

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Orlando went on their longest unbeaten run in the league during August, avoiding defeat in four games. On August 3, Orlando returned to MLS action to record the team's first ever win over FC Dallas. Former Dallas player Tesho Akindele opened the scoring in his first appearance against the team following a move in the offseason before Carlos Ascues scored his first goal as a Lion since joining in 2018.[51] On August 10, the team earned a 1–1 draw against Toronto FC[52] before returning to Orlando for a midweek game against Sporting Kansas City, winning 1–0.[53] On August 17, Orlando visited Allianz Field for the first time to play Minnesota United FC, coached by former Orlando head coach Adrian Heath. Minnesota scored a stoppage time equalizer in the 1–1 draw after a Nani penalty had put Orlando ahead. At the end of the gameweek, Orlando had moved back up to eight place in the conference.[54] However, two shutout losses to Atlanta United FC and San Jose Earthquakes to end August saw the team drop back down to ninth.[55][56]

September

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On September 7, Orlando City hosted Los Angeles FC who remained 11 points clear at the top of the Supporters' Shield standings, earning a point in a 2–2 draw despite again leading late in the second half.[57] On September 14, with only four games left in the season, Orlando faced playoff rivals New England Revolution who were four points ahead of Orlando and occupying the final playoff spot heading into the game. Despite trailing 3–1 at halftime, Orlando fought back to score two unanswered goals and earn a 3–3 draw. Nani was involved in every goal, scoring twice and registering one assist to set a new team record in single-season goal involvements with 21. However, a win for Chicago Fire pushed Orlando down to tenth while they still remained four points behind New England.[58][59] On September 21, Orlando traveled to face Houston Dynamo. Having taken the lead through a sixth minute Dwyer goal, their earliest goal of the season, Orlando had the potential to move back up the eighth and back within two points of the playoffs were they to hold on to the lead as both New England and Chicago had tied in their earlier matches. However, two unanswered second half goals for Houston meant Orlando lost 2–1, keeping them in tenth.[60] On September 29, Orlando's final away game of the season and the team's first trip to FC Cincinnati, ended in a 1–1 draw. The result, coupled with New England's victory over NYCFC, officially eliminated the team from playoff contention with one regular season game left.[61] Benji Michel's goal was the 75th goal FC Cincinnati had conceded in 2019. It broke the MLS record for most goals conceded in a single season set the previous year by Orlando City.[62]

October

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Orlando City had the opportunity to leapfrog Chicago Fire on the final day of the season but lost 5–2 to Chicago at home, keeping the team 11th in the Eastern Conference, 22nd in the Supporters' Shield standings and taking their winless streak to eight to end the season.[63] The following day the club announced they had parted ways with James O'Connor.[64]

Roster

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Last updated on July 30, 2019[65]
No. Nationality Name Position(s) Date of birth (age) Previous club Notes
Goalkeepers
18   Greg Ranjitsingh GK (1993-07-18)July 18, 1993 (aged 25)   Louisville City INT
23   Brian Rowe GK (1988-11-16)November 16, 1988 (aged 30)   Vancouver Whitecaps FC
99   Adam Grinwis GK (1992-04-21)April 21, 1992 (aged 26)   Saint Louis FC
Defenders
2   Ruan RB (1995-05-29)May 29, 1995 (aged 23)   Barra da Tijuca Loan in, INT
3   Alex DeJohn CB (1991-05-10)May 10, 1991 (aged 27)   Dalkurd FF
6   Robin Jansson CB (1991-11-15)November 15, 1991 (aged 27)   AIK INT
12   Shane O'Neill CB (1993-09-02)September 2, 1993 (aged 25)   Excelsior HGP
22   Lamine Sané CB (1987-03-22)March 22, 1987 (aged 31)   Werder Bremen INT
24   Kyle Smith RB (1992-01-09)January 9, 1992 (aged 27)   Louisville City
25   Danilo Acosta LB (1997-11-17)November 17, 1997 (aged 21)   Real Salt Lake Loan in, HGP
27   Kamal Miller CB (1997-05-16)May 16, 1997 (aged 21)   Syracuse Orange
44   João Moutinho LB (1998-01-12)January 12, 1998 (aged 21)   Los Angeles FC GA
Midfielders
4   Will Johnson CM (1987-01-21)January 21, 1987 (aged 32)   Toronto FC
5   Dillon Powers DM (1991-02-14)February 14, 1991 (aged 28)   Colorado Rapids
7   Cristian Higuita CM (1994-01-14)January 14, 1994 (aged 25)   Deportivo Cali
8   Sebas Méndez DM (1997-04-26)April 26, 1997 (aged 21)   Independiente del Valle INT
16   Sacha Kljestan AM (1985-09-09)September 9, 1985 (aged 33)   New York Red Bulls
20   Uri Rosell DM (1992-07-07)July 7, 1992 (aged 26)   Sporting CP
26   Carlos Ascues DM (1992-06-19)June 19, 1992 (aged 26)   Alianza Lima Loan in, INT
33   Mauricio Pereyra AM (1990-03-15)March 15, 1990 (aged 28)   FC Krasnodar DP, INT
Forwards
9   Chris Mueller RW (1996-08-29)August 29, 1996 (aged 22)   Wisconsin Badgers
13   Tesho Akindele CF (1992-03-31)March 31, 1992 (aged 26)   FC Dallas
14   Dom Dwyer CF (1990-07-30)July 30, 1990 (aged 28)   Sporting KC DP
17   Nani (C) LW (1986-11-17)November 17, 1986 (aged 32)   Sporting CP DP, INT
19   Benji Michel RW (1997-10-23)October 23, 1997 (aged 21)   Portland Pilots HGP
29   Santiago Patiño CF (1997-03-10)March 10, 1997 (aged 21)   FIU Panthers
95   Robinho LW (1995-01-19)January 19, 1995 (aged 24)   Columbus Crew INT

Staff

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Executive
Majority owner and chairman   Flávio Augusto da Silva
Minor owner/Life president   Phil Rawlins
Owner   John Bonner
Chief executive officer   Alex Leitão
Executive VP of soccer operations   Luiz Muzzi
Coaching staff
Head coach   James O'Connor
Assistant coach   Daniel Byrd
Assistant coach   Sean McAuley
Goalkeeping coach   Thabane Sutu
Academy coordinator   Marcelo Neveleff

Competitions

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Friendlies

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Orlando City's 2019 preseason began on January 21 with a training camp at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. They played a closed-door friendly at IMG against New York Red Bulls before traveling back to Orlando for closed-door friendlies against O'Connor's former team Louisville City FC[66] and Philadelphia Union. The schedule concluded with two games in the inaugural OC Invitational that were open to the public and a third match against OC Invitational competitors Minnesota United FC that did not count towards the competition standings nor was it open to the public.

February 2 Orlando City 1–1 New York Red Bulls Bradenton, Florida
10:30 am Méndez   (pen.) Fernandez   Stadium: IMG Academy
Attendance: Closed-door
February 6 Orlando City 1–0 Louisville City FC Orlando, Florida
4:00 pm Moutinho   Stadium: Orlando City Stadium
Attendance: Closed-door
Note: James O'Connor faces his former team for the first time since leaving for Orlando
February 12 Orlando City 1–4 Philadelphia Union Davenport, Florida
12:00 pm Mueller   Burke  
Santos   (pen.)
Sapong  
Ngalina  
Stadium: ChampionsGate Sports Complex
Attendance: Closed-door
Note: Additional 30mins played
February 16 OC Invitational Orlando City 2–1 New York City FC Orlando, Florida
7:30 pm O'Neill   31'
Akindele   34'
Mueller   37'
Bender   89'
Moralez   30'
Medina   37'
Lewis   58'   75'
Castellanos   89'
Stadium: Orlando City Stadium
February 20 OC Invitational Orlando City 6–2 New England Revolution Orlando, Florida
7:30 pm Rosell   29' (pen.)
Bye   32' (o.g.)
Colmán   47'
Patiño   49'
Higuita   51'
Powers   56' (pen.)
Diouf   87'
Penilla   11'
Turner   55'
Bunbury   81', 90'
Stadium: Orlando City Stadium
February 23 Orlando City Minnesota United FC Orlando, Florida
12:00 pm Stadium: Orlando City Stadium
Attendance: Closed-door
Note: Closed to the media, no official scoreline released

Major League Soccer

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All times in regular season on Eastern Daylight Time (UTC−04:00) except where otherwise noted.

Outside of the club, FC Cincinnati joined the league as an expansion franchise, bringing the total number of MLS clubs to 24.[67] Orlando City played FC Cincinnati for the first time on May 19, 2019, a 5–1 win. The team's first trip to Cincinnati will be on September 29, 2019.

With the addition of a 24th team, MLS was able to create a more balanced schedule in the sense that every team will play their conference opponents twice (home and away) and the 12 remaining teams in the opposite conference once to make up the 34-game schedule.[68]

Results summary

Overall Home Away
Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts W D L GF GA GD W D L GF GA GD
34 9 10 15 44 52  −8 37 6 3 8 26 29  −3 3 7 7 18 23  −5

Source: Match reports

Round12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334
StadiumHAHAHHAHAHAAHHAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAH
ResultDDLWLWLWDLLLWLWLWLDWDLLWDWDLLDDLDL
Position[a]558676656710-10108-8-98-9999-899910101111
Updated to match(es) played on October 6, 2019. Source: Match reports
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss
  1. ^ ORL's position at the end of the matchweek, not their match.

Results

March 2 1 Orlando City 2–2 New York City FC Orlando, Florida
2:30 pm
Report
Stadium: Orlando City Stadium
Attendance: 25,527
Referee: Baldomero Toledo
March 9 2 Chicago Fire 1–1 Orlando City Bridgeview, Illinois
1:00 pm
Report
Stadium: SeatGeek Stadium
Attendance: 11,041
Referee: Robert Sibiga
March 16 3 Orlando City 1–3 Montreal Impact Orlando, Florida
4:00 pm
Report
Stadium: Orlando City Stadium
Attendance: 22,352
Referee: Tim Ford
March 23 4 New York Red Bulls 0–1 Orlando City Harrison, New Jersey
7:00 pm
Report
Stadium: Red Bull Arena
Attendance: 15,108
Referee: Allen Chapman
March 31 5 Orlando City 1–2 D.C. United Orlando, Florida
6:30 pm
Report
Stadium: Orlando City Stadium
Attendance: 22,481
Referee: Armando Villarreal
April 6 6 Orlando City 4–3 Colorado Rapids Orlando, Florida
7:30 pm
Report
Stadium: Orlando City Stadium
Attendance: 22,450
Referee: Jair Marrufo
Note: Second half delayed one hour for inclement weather
April 13 7 Real Salt Lake 2–1 Orlando City Sandy, Utah
9:00 pm
Report
Stadium: Rio Tinto Stadium
Attendance: 16,770
Referee: Chris Penso
April 20 8 Orlando City 1–0 Vancouver Whitecaps FC Orlando, Florida
3:00 pm
  • Nani   62',   88'
Report
Stadium: Orlando City Stadium
Attendance: 22,468
Referee: Alan Kelly
Note: Adidas Parley kits worn by all teams in MLS this weekend
April 27 9 New York City FC 1–1 Orlando City New York, New York
1:00 pm
Report
Stadium: Yankee Stadium
Attendance: 20,862
Referee: Drew Fischer
May 4 10 Orlando City 0–2 Toronto FC Orlando, Florida
4:00 pm Report
Stadium: Orlando City Stadium
Attendance: 22,377
Referee: Robert Sibiga
May 12 11 Atlanta United FC 1–0 Orlando City Atlanta, Georgia
2:30 pm
Report
Stadium: Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Attendance: 68,152
Referee: Rubiel Vazquez
May 15 12 Seattle Sounders FC 2–1 Orlando City Seattle, Washington
10:30 pm
Report
Stadium: CenturyLink Field
Attendance: 37,722
Referee: Dave Gantar
May 19 13 Orlando City 5–1 FC Cincinnati Orlando, Florida
3:00 pm
Report
Stadium: Orlando City Stadium
Attendance: 22,341
Referee: Nima Saghafi
Note: First ever meeting between the two clubs
May 24 14 Orlando City 0–1 LA Galaxy Orlando, Florida
8:00 pm
Report
Stadium: Orlando City Stadium
Attendance: 24,712
Referee: Allen Chapman
June 1 15 Montreal Impact 0–3 Orlando City Montreal, Quebec, Canada
5:00 pm
Report
Stadium: Saputo Stadium
Attendance: 17,018
Referee: Chris Penso
June 26 16 D.C. United 1–0 Orlando City Washington, D.C.
8:00 pm
Report
Stadium: Audi Field
Attendance: 17,398
Referee: Alex Chilowicz
June 29 17 Columbus Crew 0–2 Orlando City Columbus, Ohio
7:30 pm
Report
Stadium: Mapfre Stadium
Attendance: 17,715
Referee: Rubiel Vazquez
July 3 18 Orlando City 1–3 Philadelphia Union Orlando, Florida
7:30 pm
Report
Stadium: Exploria Stadium
Attendance: 22,364
Referee: Chris Penso
Note: One hour delay to kickoff due to lightning
July 7 19 Philadelphia Union 2–2 Orlando City Chester, Pennsylvania
4:30 pm
Report
Stadium: Talen Energy Stadium
Attendance: 18,574
Referee: Robert Sibiga
Note: Match rescheduled from July 6 due to weather
July 13 20 Orlando City 1–0 Columbus Crew Orlando, Florida
7:30 pm
Report Stadium: Exploria Stadium
Attendance: 22,397
Referee: Dave Gantar
July 18 21 Portland Timbers 1–1 Orlando City Portland, Oregon
10:00 pm
Report
Stadium: Providence Park
Attendance: 25,218
Referee: Joe Dickerson
July 21 22 Orlando City 0–1 New York Red Bulls Orlando, Florida
7:30 pm
Report
Stadium: Exploria Stadium
Attendance: 22,408
Referee: Armando Villarreal
July 27 23 New England Revolution 4–1 Orlando City Foxborough, Massachusetts
7:00 pm
Report
Stadium: Gillette Stadium
Attendance: 19,043
Referee: Alan Kelly
August 3 24 Orlando City 2–0 FC Dallas Orlando, Florida
7:30 pm
Report
Stadium: Exploria Stadium
Attendance: 22,479
Referee: Silviu Petrescu
August 10 25 Toronto FC 1–1 Orlando City Toronto, Ontario, Canada
7:30 pm
Report
Stadium: BMO Field
Referee: Kevin Stott
August 14 26 Orlando City 1–0 Sporting Kansas City Orlando, Florida
7:30 pm
Report
Stadium: Exploria Stadium
Attendance: 22,347
Referee: Robert Sibiga
August 17 27 Minnesota United FC 1–1 Orlando City Saint Paul, Minnesota
8:00 pm
Report
Stadium: Allianz Field
Attendance: 19,738
Referee: Jair Marrufo
Note: Orlando's first match at the newly-built Allianz Field
August 23 28 Orlando City 0–1 Atlanta United FC Orlando, Florida
8:00 pm Report
Stadium: Exploria Stadium
Attendance: 23,014
Referee: Nima Saghafi
August 31 29 San Jose Earthquakes 3–0 Orlando City San Jose, California
10:30 pm
Report
Stadium: Avaya Stadium
Attendance: 17,323
Referee: Silviu Petrescu
September 7 30 Orlando City 2–2 Los Angeles FC Orlando, Florida
7:30 pm
Report
Stadium: Exploria Stadium
Attendance: 22,371
Referee: Alan Kelly
Note: LAFC's first visit to Orlando
September 14 31 Orlando City 3–3 New England Revolution Orlando, Florida
7:30 pm
Report
Stadium: Exploria Stadium
Attendance: 22,419
Referee: Fotis Bazakos
September 21 32 Houston Dynamo 2–1 Orlando City Houston, Texas
8:30 pm
Report
Stadium: BBVA Compass Stadium
Attendance: 15,146
Referee: Rubiel Vazquez
September 29 33 FC Cincinnati 1–1 Orlando City Cincinnati, Ohio
5:00 pm
  • Cruz   40',   45 3'
Report
Stadium: Nippert Stadium
Attendance: 25,652
Referee: Robert Sibiga
Note: Orlando's first ever away match at FC Cincinnati
October 6 34 Orlando City 2–5 Chicago Fire Orlando, Florida
4:30 pm
Report
Stadium: Exploria Stadium
Attendance: 22,433
Referee: Pierre-Luc Lauziere
Note: Decision Day 2019; all matches start at 4:30 pm. EST

Standings

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Eastern Conference table

2019 MLS Eastern Conference standings
Pos Team Pld W L T GF GA GD Pts Qualification
8 Chicago Fire 34 10 12 12 55 47 8 42
9 Montreal Impact[a] (V) 34 12 17 5 47 60 −13 41 2020 CONCACAF Champions League[b]
10 Columbus Crew SC 34 10 16 8 39 47 −8 38
11 Orlando City SC 34 9 15 10 44 52 −8 37
12 FC Cincinnati 34 6 22 6 31 75 −44 24
Source: MLS
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) total wins; 3) total goal differential; 4) total goals scored; 5) disciplinary points; 6) away goal differential; 7) away goals scored ; 8) home goals scored; 9) home goal differential; 10) coin toss or drawing of lots.
(V) Canadian Championship winners
Notes:
  1. ^ Canadian clubs could not qualify for the 2020 CONCACAF Champions League through MLS play.
  2. ^ as 2019 Canadian Championship winners

Overall table

2019 MLS regular season standings
Pos Team Pld W L T GF GA GD Pts
20 Columbus Crew SC 34 10 16 8 39 47 −8 38
21 Sporting Kansas City 34 10 16 8 49 67 −18 38
22 Orlando City SC 34 9 15 10 44 52 −8 37
23 Vancouver Whitecaps FC 34 8 16 10 37 59 −22 34
24 FC Cincinnati 34 6 22 6 31 75 −44 24
Source: MLS
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) total wins; 3) total goal differential; 4) total goals scored; 5) disciplinary points; 6) away goals scored; 7) away goal differential; 8) coin toss or drawing of lots

U.S. Open Cup

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Orlando City entered the U.S. Open Cup in the fourth round, having been drawn against USL Championship team Memphis 901 FC. As a result of being drawn first, Memphis were the designated host team. In the Round of 16, Orlando beat fellow MLS team New England Revolution in extra-time to set up a quarter-final against New York City FC. The team triumphed 5–4 in a penalty shootout after a Maxi Moralez stoppage time equalizer forced extra time with the game ending 1–1. It set up a meeting with Atlanta United FC in the team's first Open Cup semi-final in history but the Lions lost 2–0. The game set a new club attendance record for the competition.

Bracket
Fourth round
June 11–12
Round of 16
June 18–20
Quarterfinals
July 10
Semifinals
August 7
Final
August 27
               
USLC Memphis 901 FC 1
MLS Orlando City SC 3
MLS Orlando City SC 2*
MLS New England Revolution 1
MLS New York Red Bulls 2
MLS New England Revolution 3*
MLS Orlando City SC 1(5)
MLS New York City FC 1(4)
MLS D.C. United 2*
MLS Philadelphia Union 1
MLS D.C. United 1
MLS New York City FC 2
MLS New York City FC 4
USLC North Carolina FC 0
MLS Orlando City SC 0
MLS Atlanta United FC 2
MLS Columbus Crew SC 1
USLC Pittsburgh Riverhounds 0
MLS Columbus Crew SC 2
MLS Atlanta United FC 3
USLC Charleston Battery 1
MLS Atlanta United FC 3*
MLS Atlanta United FC 2
USLC Saint Louis FC 0
USLC Saint Louis FC 2
MLS Chicago Fire 1
USLC Saint Louis FC 1
MLS FC Cincinnati 0
MLS FC Cincinnati 2*
USLC Louisville City FC 1
MLS Atlanta United FC 2
MLS Minnesota United FC 1
MLS Houston Dynamo 3
USLC Austin Bold FC 2
MLS Houston Dynamo 2
MLS Minnesota United FC 3
MLS Minnesota United FC 4
MLS Sporting Kansas City 1
MLS Minnesota United FC 6
USLC New Mexico United 1
MLS FC Dallas 4
USLC OKC Energy FC 0
MLS FC Dallas 1
USLC New Mexico United 2
MLS Colorado Rapids 2(2)
USLC New Mexico United 2(4)
MLS Minnesota United FC 2
MLS Portland Timbers 1
MLS Real Salt Lake 0
MLS Los Angeles FC 3
MLS Los Angeles FC 3
MLS San Jose Earthquakes 1
MLS San Jose Earthquakes 4
USLC Sacramento Republic FC 3
MLS Los Angeles FC 0
MLS Portland Timbers 1
MLS Seattle Sounders FC 1
MLS Portland Timbers 2
MLS Portland Timbers 4
MLS LA Galaxy 0
MLS LA Galaxy 3
NPSL Orange County FC 0
June 12 Fourth round Memphis 901   1–3   Orlando City Memphis, Tennessee
8:30 pm EDT
Report
Stadium: Mike Rose Soccer Complex
Attendance: 3,088
Referee: Sergii Demianchuk
June 19 Round of 16 Orlando City   2–1 (a.e.t.)   New England Revolution Orlando, Florida
7:30 pm EDT
Report
Stadium: Exploria Stadium
Attendance: 5,556
Referee: Marcos de Oliveira
July 10 Quarter-final Orlando City   1–1 (a.e.t.)
(5–4 p)
  New York City FC Orlando, Florida
7:30 pm EDT
Report
Stadium: Exploria Stadium
Attendance: 7,227
Referee: Victor Rivas
Penalties
August 6 Semi-final Orlando City   0–2   Atlanta United FC Orlando, Florida
7:30 pm EDT
Report
Stadium: Exploria Stadium
Attendance: 18,461
Referee: Rubiel Vazquez
Note: New club record attendance for U.S. Open Cup match

Squad statistics

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Appearances

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As of match played October 6, 2019

Starting appearances are listed first, followed by substitute appearances after the symbol where applicable.

No. Pos Nat Player Total MLS Open Cup
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Goalkeepers
18 GK   TRI Greg Ranjitsingh 2 0 2 0 0 0
23 GK   USA Brian Rowe 32 0 32 0 0 0
99 GK   USA Adam Grinwis 4 0 0 0 4 0
Defenders
2 DF   BRA Ruan 28 0 23 2 0 3 0
3 DF   USA Alex DeJohn 9 0 6 0 1 2 0
6 DF   SWE Robin Jansson 32 1 28 0 4 1
12 DF   USA Shane O'Neill 12 0 9 2 0 1 0
22 DF   SEN Lamine Sané 30 0 25 1 0 4 0
24 DF   USA Kyle Smith 24 0 15 8 0 1 0
25 DF   USA Danilo Acosta 8 0 8 0 0 0
27 DF   CAN Kamal Miller 16 0 14 2 0 0 0
34 DF   USA Randy Mendoza 1 0 0 0 0 1 0
44 DF   POR João Moutinho 18 0 15 1 0 2 0
Midfielders
4 MF   CAN Will Johnson 23 1 20 1 1 2 0
5 MF   USA Dillon Powers 10 0 7 0 2 1 0
7 MF   COL Cristian Higuita 11 0 7 2 0 2 0
8 MF   ECU Sebas Méndez 25 0 20 3 0 2 0
16 AM   USA Sacha Kljestan 27 3 14 9 1 4 2
20 MF   ESP Uri Rosell 21 0 16 4 0 0 1 0
26 MF   PER Carlos Ascues 19 1 14 3 1 0 2 0
33 MF   URU Mauricio Pereyra 6 0 5 1 0 0 0
Forwards
9 FW   USA Chris Mueller 33 6 16 13 5 3 1 1
13 FW   CAN Tesho Akindele 32 11 22 6 10 4 1
14 FW   USA Dom Dwyer 29 7 16 11 7 1 1 0
17 FW   POR Nani 33 12 26 4 12 2 1 0
19 FW   USA Benji Michel 20 6 9 8 5 0 3 1
29 FW   COL Santiago Patiño 13 2 3 8 2 2 0
77 FW   BRA Robinho 6 0 3 3 0 0 0
Players away from the club on loan:
10 MF   PAR Josué Colmán 8 0 1 7 0 0 0
15 MF   USA Cam Lindley 0 0 0 0 0 0
31 GK   USA Mason Stajduhar 0 0 0 0 0 0

Goalscorers

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As of match played October 6, 2019
Rank No. Pos. Name MLS Open Cup Total
1 17 FW   Nani 12 0 12
2 13 FW   Tesho Akindele 10 1 11
3 14 FW   Dom Dwyer 7 0 7
4 9 FW   Chris Mueller 5 1 6
19 FW   Benji Michel 5 1 6
6 16 MF   Sacha Kljestan 1 2 3
7 29 FW   Santiago Patiño 2 0 2
8 4 MF   Will Johnson 1 0 1
6 DF   Robin Jansson 0 1 1
26 MF   Carlos Ascues 1 0 1
Total 44 6 50

Shutouts

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As of match played October 6, 2019
Rank No. Name MLS Open Cup Total
1 23   Brian Rowe 7 0 7
Total 7 0 7

Disciplinary record

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As of match played October 6, 2019
No. Pos. Name MLS Open Cup Total
                       
2 DF   Ruan 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
3 DF   Alex DeJohn 1 0 0 1 0 0 2 0 0
4 MF   Will Johnson 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0
6 DF   Robin Jansson 6 0 1 0 0 0 6 0 1
7 MF   Cristian Higuita 5 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 0
8 MF   Sebas Méndez 7 0 0 1 0 0 8 0 0
9 FW   Chris Mueller 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
12 DF   Shane O'Neill 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0
13 FW   Tesho Akindele 1 0 0 1 0 0 2 0 0
14 FW   Dom Dwyer 7 0 1 0 0 0 7 0 1
16 MF   Sacha Kljestan 3 0 1 1 0 0 4 0 1
17 FW   Nani 4 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0
19 FW   Benji Michel 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0
20 MF   Uri Rosell 6 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 0
22 DF   Lamine Sané 4 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0
23 GK   Brian Rowe 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
24 DF   Kyle Smith 4 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0
25 DF   Danilo Acosta 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
26 MF   Carlos Ascues 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0
29 FW   Santiago Patiño 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
33 MF   Mauricio Pereyra 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
44 DF   João Moutinho 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
Total 60 0 3 6 0 0 66 0 3

Player movement

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Per Major League Soccer and club policies, terms of the deals do not get disclosed.

MLS SuperDraft picks

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Draft picks are not automatically signed to the team roster. The 2019 draft was held on January 11, 2019. Orlando had five selections.

2019 Orlando City MLS SuperDraft Picks
Round Selection Player Position College Status
1 3   Santiago Patiño CF   Florida International University Signed[69]
2 27   Kamal Miller CB   Syracuse University Signed[70]
38   Tommy Madden LB   UNC Charlotte Not signed[71]
3 59   Scott DeVoss CB   University of Denver Not signed[72]
4 96 PASS

Transfers in

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No. Name Pos. Transferred from Fee/notes Date Ref.
13   Tesho Akindele CF   FC Dallas Acquired for $100k of 2019 TAM and $50k of 2020 GAM December 9, 2018 [73]
44   João Moutinho LB   Los Angeles FC Traded in exchange for Mohamed El Monir December 11, 2018 [74]
18   Greg Ranjitsingh GK   Louisville City FC Undisclosed fee December 19, 2018 [75]
24   Kyle Smith RB   Louisville City FC Free transfer December 19, 2018 [75]
8   Sebas Méndez DM   Independiente del Valle Undisclosed fee, reportedly $1.8 million December 28, 2018 [76]
19   Benji Michel RW   Portland Pilots Signed Homegrown contract December 31, 2018 [77]
3   Alex DeJohn CB   Dalkurd FF Free transfer January 10, 2019 [78]
17   Nani LW   Sporting CP Free transfer February 18, 2019 [9]
23   Brian Rowe GK   Vancouver Whitecaps FC Free transfer February 22, 2019 [79]
6   Robin Jansson CB   AIK Undisclosed fee, reportedly $540k March 12, 2019 [80]
95   Robinho LW   Columbus Crew SC Acquired for $50k of 2019 TAM July 11, 2019 [81]
33   Mauricio Pereyra AM   FC Krasnodar Free transfer July 30, 2019 [82]

Loans in

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No. Name Pos. Loaned from Notes Date Ref.
26   Carlos Ascues DM   Alianza Lima 12-month loan extension exercised N/A
25   Danilo Acosta LB   Real Salt Lake One-year loan with option to buy in exchange for $75k GAM December 28, 2018 [83]
2   Ruan RB   Barra da Tijuca One-year loan January 16, 2019 [84]

Transfers out

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No. Name Pos. Transferred to Fee/notes Date Ref.
1   Joe Bendik GK   Columbus Crew Option declined; Rights acquired by Columbus Crew in exchange for $50k TAM on 12/27/2018 November 27, 2018 [85]
6   Richie Laryea CM   Toronto FC Option declined; Signed with Toronto FC on 3/21/19 [85]
8   Tony Rocha CM   New York City FC Option declined; Rights acquired by NYCFC in exchange for a 2019 MLS SuperDraft fourth round pick on 12/12/18 [85]
28   Chris Schuler CB Retired Option declined [85]
2   Jonathan Spector CB   Hibernian Option declined; Signed with Hibernian on 3/15/19 [85]
21   Scott Sutter RB   Vancouver Whitecaps FC Option declined; Signed with Vancouver Whitecaps on 1/30/19 [85]
25   Donny Toia LB   Real Salt Lake Option declined; Rights acquired by Real Salt Lake in 2018 MLS Re-entry draft on 12/14/18 [85]
33   Jose Villarreal CF   Las Vegas Lights Option declined; Signed with Las Vegas on 5/29/19 [85]
36   Earl Edwards Jr. GK   D.C. United Contract expired; Rights acquired by D.C. United in exchange for a 2019 MLS SuperDraft second round pick on 12/19/18 [85]
94   Victor "PC" Giro LB   Vancouver Whitecaps FC Traded in exchange for Vancouver's natural third-round pick in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft December 9, 2018 [86]
13   Mohamed El Monir LB   Los Angeles FC Traded in exchange for João Moutinho December 11, 2018 [74]
3   Amro Tarek CB   New York Red Bulls Traded in exchange for Red Bulls's natural fourth-round pick in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft December 11, 2018 [87]
19   Yoshimar Yotún LW   Cruz Azul Sold for $4 million December 27, 2018 [88]
29   Stefano Pinho CF   PT Prachuap Waived; Signed with PT Prachuap on 1/23/19 January 16, 2019 [89]
27   R. J. Allen RB   FC Motown Waived; Signed with FC Motown on 4/5/19 February 6, 2019 [90]
11   Pierre da Silva LW   Memphis 901 Released; Signed with Memphis 901 on 8/5/19 July 31, 2019 [91]

Loans out

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No. Name Pos. Loaned to Notes Date Ref.
11   Pierre da Silva LW   Club Athletico Paranaense Until end of season February 7, 2019 [92]
31   Mason Stajduhar GK   Tulsa Roughnecks FC Until end of season (temporarily recalled June 24, 2019) March 15, 2019 [93]
15   Cam Lindley DM   Memphis 901 FC Until end of season April 12, 2019 [94]
10   Josué Colmán AM   Cerro Porteño One and a half year loan with right of recall June 12, 2019 [95]

Broadcasting

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Orlando City will be featured on national television 6 times during the 2019 season, while all remaining matches will be televised locally on WRBW My65. This means that 30 of Orlando's 34 regular-season matches will be broadcast on FOX entities between FOX 35, My65 and Fox Sports.[96] Following City's exclusive streaming partner deal with YouTube TV made in May 2018, YouTube TV online subscribers will have access to all of FOX's locally and nationally televised matches.[97]

Radio coverage for City will be provided in both English and Spanish during the 2019 season. La Nueva 990 AM will serve as the Spanish language broadcaster while English commentary will be split between FM 96.9 The Game and Real Radio 104.1 FM all season long.[98]

References

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