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Orlando City SC shows All Teeth to begin MLS post-season

• Best end-run for best offensive Orlando City squad
• Charlotte FC starts the post-season in Orlando
• Orlando City players must punch the accelerator now

By Chuck Wharton

Oct 2, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando City midfielder Facundo Torres (10) celebrates a goal against the Philadelphia Union during the second half at Inter&Co Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images
Oct 2, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando City midfielder Facundo Torres (10) celebrates a goal against the Philadelphia Union during the second half at Inter&Co Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images / Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images
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It’s an end to the 2024 regular MLS season that was too quiet. Orlando City SC suffered a weak start, followed by the best end-run of any other team. Now stands the post-season.

The team has announced All Teeth as the theme entering this post-season and the season ended for Orlando City SC with a couple of losses. That capped the best run to end the season for any MLS team.

The Lions started the season 2-5-3 through 10 games. Shocked supporters wondered what happened to the Orlando team from the previous season that had enjoyed success on the pitch.

After intense scouting of opponents and drills, the 2024 edition of Orlando City began changing its fortune. Eventually, they beat the record of 55 goals set by the previous season’s squad that supporters were missing. They’ve become the best offensive team ever in the franchise.

Their record since July 1 is 10-3-1 – the best run of any MLS squad this season. They’ve now qualified for the MLS post-season for five-straight seasons under Head Coach Oscar Pareja – one of only three active MLS teams with this achievement.

In fourth place in the MLS Eastern Conference, they get to host their playoff opener against Charlotte FC at home. As a best-of-three series, they also host the third game if necessary.

Charlotte knows how to play Orlando hard. In two matches during the regular season, the Lions drew Charlotte 2-2, then shut them out 2-0.

Duncan McGuire
Sep 18, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando City forward Duncan McGuire (13) controls the ball against Charlotte FC in the second half at Inter&Co Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images / Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Even in the shutout, Charlotte blocked half of Orlando’s shots and executed 11 clearances. Goalkeeper Pedro Gallese played one of his best games and got an assist on one of the Orlando goals.

One of the goals was by Facundo Torres. This season with his 45th goal he’s become the team’s all-time leading scorer. With his 18th goal this season, he tied the single-season record.

Gallese, Torres, and all their teammates will have to punch the accelerator now to drive the team deeply into the 2024 post-season. Orlando City SC supporters are counting on it.

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