For the challenges ahead, Orlando City SC will think about it

The road to the MLS post-season for Orlando City SC goes through Cincinnati FC  on their home pitch.

Orlando City SC recently overcame the mental lapses that contributed powerfully to their loss to Sporting Kansas City. To lose to Kansas City was unthinkable. That team rests just three places above last in the MLS Western Conference.

Yet Orlando got shut out 3-0. They took care of  3-0 in their next match. It was the preparation leading to focus that made the difference. The only thing missing in the 3-0 loss was returned to the Orlando City arsenal the 3-0 victory over Nashville was the mental preparation that leads to focus.

The victory kept Orlando City over the playoff line and returned them to a positive Goal Differential. But in early October when they face FC Cincinnati on their home pitch, they’ve got their greatest challenge of this season.

Cincinnati has risen to second place in the MLS Eastern Conference. That’s just underneath first-place Inter Miami, which has clinched a playoff spot.

FC Cincinnati enjoys a 16-8-3 record after 27 games, compared to Orlando City at 10-10-7. Their goal differential is 12 compared to Orlando’s 1.

Three of Cincinnati’s greatest strengths are winning aerial duels, stealing the ball from opponents, and creating chances through their skill. Creating chances is their greatest skill.

Creating changes is the skill Orlando Head Coach Oscar Pareja pushed for the players to work in their match with Nashville SC. With the 3-0 shutout, it worked.

Pareja said he started reminding the players of their mental preparation just before the second half of that match. He referred to mental training as discipline.

With the focus resulting from their discipline, they increased their chances while descreasing the opponent’s chances. He emphasized that this is the way to add points in the league.

In Pareja’s view, it means that Orlando City SC wins decisive victories when they think about it.