Supporters peppered social media with their frustration and disappointment. Late in the season after clinching the MLS playoffs, Orlando City SC lost to the Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
Late in their match with the Vancouver Whitecaps FC, Orlando City SC had the score equalized 1-1. Then they lost 2-1.
The Lions had already achieved their late-season goal of making the MLS playoffs. But the concern of the club and supporters is that there still is a chance to brighten their position in the post-season.
Yet, it’s not as if they lost to a disorganized and weak opponent. Vancouver stands in first place in the MLS Western Conference with a record of 18-6-9. That compares to Orlando’s record of 14-8-11 in seventh place of the Eastern Conference.
Dagur Dan Thorhallsson started the scoring in the 24th minute, with assists to Duncan McGuire and Martin Ojeda.
The lead for the Lions stood until the 81st minute. That’s when Vancouver forward Nelson Pierre fought his way to the right place to score his first MLS goal.
The late equalizer knocked just enough Orlando players off the beam. In the final stoppage time, Thomas Müller put a ball in the net with an assist from Ryan Gauld. That allowed the Whitecaps to leave the pitch with three points.
The Lions lost Captain Robin Jansson in the first half due to injury. Yet they responded well and played the rest of the half strongly.
Head Coach Oscar Pareja noticed in the second half that his players just weren’t synchronized. This lack of synchronization is something the team has fought in each of the last two seasons. But they identified the problem much earlier in the season.
Dagur Dan Thorhallsson believes their disruption came from ineffective adjustments as Vancouver increased pressing them high.
When facing such tactics in the MLS playoffs, Orlando City SC must commit to fighting fire with fire. They’ll have to press their opponents back just as hard and high. That will get them deep into the post-season.