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Orlando City SC needs Dagur Dan Thorhallsson back now

• Defender also an effective attacking midfielder
• A proven scoring threat
• Has the focus and the stamina for post-season

By Chuck Wharton

Sep 18, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Charlotte FC forward Kerwin Vargas (18) controls the ball as Orlando City midfielder Dagur Thorhallsson (17) attempts to defend during the first half at Inter&Co Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
Sep 18, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Charlotte FC forward Kerwin Vargas (18) controls the ball as Orlando City midfielder Dagur Thorhallsson (17) attempts to defend during the first half at Inter&Co Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images / Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
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Dagur Dan Thorhallsson has been out with a left lower leg injury. He’ll be needed in the Orlando City SC post-season.

A calf injury has sidelined defender Dagur Dan Thorhallsson since Sept. 25. He has missed three matches, including the 3-1 masterly of FC Cincinnati by Orlando City SC.

Thorhallsson will be needed for the Orlando City post-season. We’ll explore why.

The defender quickly mastered the hybrid role for defenders in powering a variety of formations for Orlando. That’s why team lineup reports frequently identified Thorhallsson as a midfielder. He frequently played as a midfielder, dropping back as a defender when needed, when several MLS clubs discovered they could shut Orlando down when running a back-three – or three defender – formation.

After studying the problem, Head Coach Oscar Pareja decided the players should take the hair of the dog that was biting them. Orlando City started playing back-three formations when needed. Dagar Dan Thorhallsson took these assignments like a duck to water.

At the time Thorhallsson started running with the back three, several City players were called out for international duty. With the full roster of starters for Orlando, the defenders' contributions in 4-3, 3-4, or back-three formation variants will be amplified.

Dagur Dan Thórhallsson Goal

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Posted by Orlando City Soccer Club on Wednesday, July 5, 2023

He proved his aptitude when he effectively served the team in the back three. That’s because three-defender formations require wingers to develop extra stamina and focus – ready to drop back as effective defenders when match conditions require it.

Thorhallsson has said, that regardless of the team’s starting formation, he is ready to attack alongside his teammates. But he keeps his focus so that when the match situation changes, he’s ready to drop back. Now more than ever, it’s vital that Orlando City not concede goals.

For Dagur Dan Thorhallsson and other hybrid defenders on the squad, keeping focus and achieving balance is key. It’s the tool that will get Orlando City SC deep into the MLS post-season.

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