Orlando City SC missing the mental part of match preparation

Orlando City SC plans to regain success in the MLS Eastern Conference. First, the squad will have to regain their focus.

Going into the Leagues Cup/Olympics break, Orlando City SC had great momentum. The squad went 4-1-1 in their six matches going into the break. That stretch includes a 5-0 shutout of D.C. United.

But in the first game back in MLS competition, Orlando went to Sporting Kansas City. This time City was shutout 3-0.

Orlando had worked hard from the confusion and frustration the players and supporters experienced at the beginning of the season. As they entered their break they enjoyed an eight-game unbeaten streak – the second longest in team history.

There was no reason to expect a shutout coming. Winger Facundo Torres sought his 40th goal for Orlando, plus his 24th and 25th assists, which would tie him with Nani for second place.

Midfielder Nico Lodeiro wanted his 12th assist of the season, which would be a league record.

Then no one scored against Sporting, a team just three notches above last place in the MLS Western Conference.

Head Coach Oscar Pareja said the loss wasn’t due to a lack of preparation. They held an intra-squad and attempted a simulation of the match. As the coaches calculated the statistics and metrics, Pareja found no reason that the momentum they built into their eight-game unbeaten streak wouldn’t continue.

Yet Pareja witnessed a lack of intensity and energy, translating to focus and confidence.

The physical coaches did their job with Orlando City players. To regain and reinforce the intensity and energy Pareja saw missing, it will take mental coaching.

That type of mental coaching can use exercises to focus before matches and stay focused. When the game turns against Orlando, the players can remain confident. And when the pressure’s on, they will stay composed.

The focus training can fit very well in the match simulation. And the metrics Pareja spoke of will become real and stay real for Orlando City SC.