Lions face Nashville SC in last game at home
For only the second time in club history, Orlando City can control its own playoff outcome in the final two matches of the regular season.
In past years, the Lions spent the final games praying for the downfall of higher-ranked opponents or trudging through meaningless consolation games from an eliminated position.
The story this season is different.
Orlando City (12-9-11, 47 points) spent most of the year in a top-four position in the Eastern Conference, often jockeying for the second rung below the Supporters Shield-winning New England Revolution. But the Lions stumbled throughout the final stretch of competition, winning only two of their last 10 games.
After dropping to fifth, Orlando City still could finish in a top-four spot to earn home-field advantage for the playoffs. But elimination also is a looming possibility as it sits only four points above the cutoff line.
Sunday’s match against Nashville SC (12-4-16, 52) — the last home game of the regular season — could be the deciding factor.
“Now the time is urgent for all,” coach Oscar Pareja said.
The Lions’ last two losses have been punctuated by difficulties defending set pieces.
At the start of the season, defense was their strong suit in these situations. Center back Antonio Carlos was especially confident in aerial challenges, knocking away crosses to keep the box clear on designed plays.
But in recent games the
Lions have shown increased vulnerability. Pareja noted Nashville’s ability to score in set pieces as a concern for the Lions.
“Our responsibility is to prepare them better,” Pareja said. “That will raise their confidence again . ... Nashville has a good, aggressive game in that part, but we have played well against them too.”
The Lions’ defensive dip has been paired with a lack of offensive firepower.
Striker Daryl Dike became the natural spark for the Lions offense after his return in September. He’s since scored five goals in seven games, but Dike’s two most recent goals came from the penalty stripe.
With playoffs on the line, Pareja said the offense is focused on setting up Dike to score in the run of play rather than penalty kicks.
“It’s a collective improvement that we have to do to get the ball in a better spot for him,” Pareja said. “We had a couple chances in the last few games with him in that open play where he can turn as he has done before ... We want him trying to [use] that power that he has.”
Dike can be a gamechanger, but for consistent improvement the Lions need to look to their designated
players — captain Luis Nani and playmaker Mauricio Pereyra. Both provided flashes of productivity throughout this season but lacked consistency.
Nani leads the offense with 10 goals and seven assists, but he went on a 12-game scoreless streak before finally snapping it last week. Pereyra leads the Lions in assists (10) but hasn’t contributed to a goal since September.
Both players struggled with injuries late in the season, which kept them from playing on the pitch at the same time with any regularity.
Now that the duo is healthy, Pareja expects his DPs to take the helm against Nashville to push the Lions through to their second straight playoff berth.
“They’re the guys who make the difference, who bring the experience and also the talent to make the difference,” Pareja said. “They know this.
“The good thing is that they are healthier now, that they have been more consistent with their participation with the team . ... Their leadership and the push they give is crucial in these moments.”