Lions’ 2018 slate features a grueling summer stretch
Orlando City's 2018 schedule has fewer of the grueling stretches that frustrated coach Jason Kreis in 2017, but a key slate from early June through late July will likely determine whether the club can clinch its first playoff bid.
Major League Soccer released the Lions’ 2018 schedules Thursday. As previously announced, Orlando City opens the 2018 campaign against D.C. United on Saturday, March 3, at 7:30 p.m.
The following week, former Orlando City coach Adrian Heath and midfielder Kevin Molino return to Central Florida when the Lions host Minnesota United for the first time on Saturday, March 10, at 7:30 p.m.
New Orlando City midfielder Sacha Kljestan, who is suspended for the first two games of the year following an altercation during a 2017 playoff match, will make his debut at New York City FC on March 17.
Kljestan will then play his first home match with the Lions against his former team when Orlando City hosts the New York Red Bulls on March 31 at 1 p.m.
Other marquee home matchups include visits from the Portland Timbers on April 8 at 4 p.m., reigning MLS Cup champion Toronto FC on July 14 at 8 p.m. and the defending Western Conference champion Seattle Sounders on Oct. 17 at 7:30 p.m.
The Lions will host rival Atlanta United on May 13 at 6 p.m. and Aug. 24 at 8 p.m.
The first tough stretch of the schedule likely will be three-game road trip from NYCFC to Vancouver to Montreal from June 2-13, squeezed in ahead of the nine-day break MLS will take during the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
After the break, the Lions will host the Montreal Impact June 23 before startng a six-game stretch that involves extensive travel and competitive matchups: at Atlanta United June 30, at expansion side Los Angeles FC July 7, versus defending champion Toronto FC July 14, at Columbus Crew July 21, versus NYCFC July 26 and at L.A. Galaxy July 29.
Orlando City has traditionally suffered June and July slumps that coincide with intense heat and humidity during the team’s training sessions, which often don’t end until 11 a.m. or later.
The Lions’ final regularseason home game will be against the Columbus Crew Oct. 21 and they will close out the season on the road against the Red Bulls on Oct. 28.
Orlando City will be featured on national television 13 times, with the remaining matches to be broadcast in Central Florida on WRDQ-TV 27.
The Lions are in the midst of revamping their roster.
The biggest changes so far include the signing of Kljestan, who was acquired from New York in exchange for Carlos Rivas and Tommy Redding, and a three-year contract signed by striker Dom Dwyer, who is now a designated player for the Lions.
A limited number of Orlando City season tickets are available for purchase at OrlandoCitySC.com/ tickets/season. Single game tickets are slated to go on sale at a later date to be announced by the club.