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Orlando City SC prepares for Charlotte FC series

• Orlando City readies for fifth-straight post-season

• Charlotte FC brings strong goal protection

• Outstanding keeper plays off his line

By Chuck Wharton

Sep 18, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando City forward Duncan McGuire (13) is congratulated by teammates after he scored a goal against Charlotte FC during the second half at Inter&Co Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
Sep 18, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando City forward Duncan McGuire (13) is congratulated by teammates after he scored a goal against Charlotte FC during the second half at Inter&Co Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images / Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
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Orlando City SC has prepared for the players’ fifth-straight playoff appearance. How far they go depends on how well they are prepared.

Charlotte FC has prepared just as thoroughly as Orlando City SC to kick off the post-season. It will be challenging for Orlando at home to win this best-of-three series.

Statistically, Charlotte doesn’t bring the scoring threat that Orlando City does. Yet, the visitor doesn’t need as many goals to win matches and finish fifth in the MLS Eastern Conference.

That’s because their Goals Against number for the regular season is the lowest in the conference at 37. A lot of the credit for that goes to Charlotte keeper Kristijan Kahlina. It’s the reason he’s a finalist for MLS Goalkeeper of the Year.

His 100th appearance for the club was in the last match of the season against CF Montreal. He recorded his 12 clean sheets of the season – 25th of his career – in the 2-0 win. He’s tied for most clean sheets this season with fellow finalist, Hugo Loris of Los Angeles FC.

He’s tied for third in saves this season with 121.

Kristijan Kahlina
Oct 19, 2024; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Charlotte FC goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina (1) plays the ball in the second half against D.C. United at Audi Field. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images / Amber Searls-Imagn Images

American Soccer Analysis reported that, according to their Goals-xGoals calculation of -10.47, Kahlina had the single best season for an MLS keeper since 2013.

Despite the challenge of getting balls around Kahlina, Orlando City will win this series if they play like they did in the 2-0 victory over Charlotte in September.

In that match, the Lions limited FC to just four shots – only two of them on target. They kept possession 58% of the time.

They maintained a furious attack. It was so persistent that even Orlando goalkeeper Pedro Gallese got a second assist behind Luis Muriel on a Duncan McGuire goal in the 89th minute.

So Orlando proved that in spite of his strengths, Kahlina is beatable through his playing style. He’s strong in defending close-range shots including penalties. Yet he plays off his line very often. So Orlando can get the ball behind him through skillful passing and attack the goal.

Speed, skill, and a persistent attack wins these matches for Orlando City SC.

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