What would it take for Oscar Pareja to be on the Hot Seat?

Before saying anything else, I want to clarify that Oscar Pareja is NOT on the hot seat now and I don't think he should be. But. With new ownership and significant roster investment, the pressure will be on Pareja to perform. What would have to happen for Pareja to be on the hot seat or even fired as manager of Orlando City?

For a coach of Pareja's status and quality, something dramatic would have to happen for him to be let go or even pressured. The former Colorado and Dallas coach built Orlando City into a legitimately good MLS team for the first time ever and is an important figure in building the current core, growing the academy and establishing a stable program.

Pareja and Luiz Muzzi are the central figures to Orlando's rise to contenders. If the Wilf's are smart, the only way they'd even consider moving on from Oscar Pareja is if Orlando finished comfortably outside the playoffs. Expectations are deservedly high. This is a team that should be hosting a playoff game and making a serious run at silverware. If this squad doesn't make the playoffs, people will be calling for Papi's head, but for me it'd have to be far worse to even consider making that move.

One disappointing or underwhelming season is not enough to restart a program, not in this league where year to year success can change so rapidly. As long as the team still respects Pareja and there's relative unity in the squad, and Orlando stays far away from the Wooden Spoon race, I see no reason the head coach would even sniff the hot seat.

This is a results driven business. After two straight playoff appearances and two straight playoff losses, fans want to take the next step. Fans want more. And as a fan myself, I understand that. But the key to sustained success is consistency. If Orlando wants to become the next Seattle, sticking with Pareja is an absolute must in almost every scenario this season.