Orlando City SC works balance to get deep into the MLS post-season

Orlando City SC marches toward the post-season. The coaches and players have learned just what’s necessary to make it and go deep.

As they learned from the powerful first half Columbus Crew gave them, Orlando City SC has to unleash some offense on every opponent without waiting for halftime analysis. For the remainder of the MLS regular season, they have to create chances early and make some of them pay off right away.

No matter which half they’re playing, they must hit the accelerator, take control of space, and execute their strategy quickly. They learned painfully early this season to do otherwise, which ensures a loss.

Head Coach Oscar Pareja explained the difference in the halves they have been playing. In the first half against Columbus, which ended 1-0 in the Crew’s favor, Orlando’s strategy was to cover the pitch in a dense, but organized fashion.

In the first half, Orlando City did create some chances, but they couldn’t finish them.

Then, in the second half, they hit the accelerator and reduced focus on controlling space. They started the second half down 1-0, then fell behind 3-0 by the 71st minute. But they kept the pressure on.

Their strategy started to work. Ramiro Enrique had come in as a substitute. He caught a rebound of a shot by Ivan Angulo and directed it into the net. Next, Luis Muriel rolled in a penalty shot. But Columbus added one in the 85th minute.

Sep 21, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Orlando City forward Luis Muriel (9) scores on a penalty kick in the second half against the Columbus Crew at Lower.com Field. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images / Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Muriel got a brace for himself in stoppage time, assisted by Facundo Torres. But Orlando City’s plan for the match started too late and couldn’t get even for a point.

In Pareja’s analysis, the coaches and players are now at work to balance the separate strategies employed for each half of the Columbus Crew match.

He saw chances where Orlando could have been leading even at the end of the first half – rather than trailing 1-0. He can show the players how those chances could have gotten finished. Then simulated games will commit those chances and finishes to muscle memory.

Orlando City SC can’t get back a loss. But they can get deep into the MLS post-season with what they’ve learned.

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