Orlando City can advance into the Eastern Conference Finals of Major League Soccer for the first time when they host the Columbus Crew on Saturday at Exploria Stadium.
In the opening round of the playoffs, the Lions claimed a pair of 1-0 victories over Nashville SC to advance to this stage, while the Crew defeated Atlanta United 4-2 in their previous encounter, winning that three-game series 2-1.
Match preview
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For only the second time in their MLS history, Orlando City are in the second round of the playoffs, putting together two solid outings against the Boys in Gold.
Playing against the stingiest defensive unit in round one meant scoring chances were at a premium for the Lions, but to their credit, they have also been resolute along the back end lately, posting a clean sheet in five of their last six matches in the regular-season and playoffs.
Throughout the domestic campaign, the Lions were effective playing out from the back with elite ball progressors in central defence combined with some equally elite ball winners in the midfield, giving Oscar Pareja's men some nice balance across the roster that we did not see in past seasons.
In 2023, Orlando showed the capability to win in various ways, capturing 11 matches during the regular season and playoffs by a single goal and winning 10 games when conceding.
It has been a while since this team were beaten at Exploria Stadium, with the Lions currently unbeaten in 14 successive matches played there in all competitions, losing only one of their three post-season encounters at home in their MLS history (3-1 versus the New England Revolution in 2020).
The Lions have only suffered one defeat in their last 10 MLS meetings versus the Crew, and they are currently on a six-match home winning run against them.
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After two disappointing regular seasons in 2021 and 2022, the Crew regained their confidence this year, thanks partly to the genius tactics of first-year head coach Wilfried Nancy.
Wherever he goes, the French manager seems to not only get results but also the best out of his players, guiding CF Montreal to their best-ever MLS regular season in 2022 (65 points), while the Crew equalled a single-season club record for points in 2023 (57).
Traditionally operating in a 3-4-3 formation, Columbus were among the best in the league at baiting opposing defences to move forward with short passes before knifing into open space in the attacking half of the field.
It helped that they have plenty of quality in the attack, capable of burying those opportunities, leading the league in the regular season for goals (67), while that quality powered them past the Five Stripes, scoring eight goals over that three-game series.
Columbus have shown they can play through virtually any defence, netting two or more goals on 24 occasions in the regular season and playoffs, but they have also left plenty of gaps in behind their defence, conceding multiple strikes in 15 MLS encounters.
They have captured just one of their last five domestic fixtures in the regular season or playoffs away from home, while the Crew have not won a post-season fixture in normal time outside of Columbus since defeating the New York Red Bulls in the 2008 MLS Cup Final (3-1).
Team News
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It is unlikely the Lions will have Jack Lynn available for this match as he is dealing with an issue in his left thigh, and Favian Loyola is also doubtful because of a left arm injury.
Ivan Angulo registered his first playoff goal in their game two victory over Nashville, his sixth across all competitions this year, and Pedro Gallese stopped four shots as he has yet to concede in the post-season, collecting 13 clean sheets in all competitions.
The last time they hosted the Crew, we saw a high-scoring affair, with the Lions claiming a 4-3 victory thanks to goals by Martin Ojeda and Facundo Torres before Ramiro Enrique notched a brace in the final four minutes plus stoppage time.
The Crew will be without Will Sands for this one due to a knee injury, while Sean Zawadzki saw limited action in game three versus Atlanta after sustaining a minor thigh strain in game two.
Diego Rossi had a goal and an assist in their game-three victory, with Darlington Nagbe, Alexandru Matan and Malte Amundsen also finding the back of the net.
Cucho Hernandez saw his four-match goalscoring run end in their previous encounter, though he had a goal and an assist in their last visit to Orlando, setting up the opener by Julian Gressel, while Rossi also netted in that defeat.
Orlando City possible starting lineup:
Gallese; Thorhallsson, Schlegel, Jansson, Santos; Araujo, Urso; Torres, Pereyra, Angulo; McGuire
Columbus Crew possible starting lineup:
Schulte; Moreira, Camacho, Amundsen; Gressel, Nagbe, Morris, Yeboah; Matan, Rossi, Hernandez
We say: Orlando City 2-2 Columbus Crew (Orlando City advance on penalties)
Orlando may not have the potency that some attacking players in Columbus possess, but as a group, they are more than capable of scoring goals, which can be equally valuable.
The X-factor in this one could come down to the goalkeepers, and in a shootout, we have more faith in Gallese, who has been an intimidating presence to face from the penalty spot.
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Top tip
Joel Lefevre
