Lions eager to pass their next test in semifinal
Minnesota United stands in way for franchise’s first final
The elation has worn off in the six days since Orlando City upset LAFC to book its ticket to the semifinal round of the MLS is Back Tournament.
The Lions didn’t have long to celebrate before preparing for another battle, this time against potent Minnesota United.
While LAFC undoubtedly posed one of the greatest challenges in the league, that match was only the latest hurdle in the toughest gantlet of the tournament. On Thursday, the Lions face a familiar face in former coach Adrian Heath as they look to earn a place in their first final in MLS competition.
For some, it might be hard to transition from the excitement of beating the best team in the league to the rigorous focus of another high-stakes match. But captain Nani has a simple mantra for the team this year — “confident, not arrogant.”
It’s an ideal the Lions plan to carry into the semifinal match.
“The good thing is that these guys, they have their feet on the ground and they know that the day after they just need to refocus and go into the next one,” Orlando City coach Oscar Pareja said. “It doesn’t guarantee anything, you know, because the game continues. They know that. … It is the beauty of the game. You win, you celebrate. … But the next day is the next opportunity, and then the next and the next.”
The match against Minnesota United will be strikingly similar to LAFC. The Loons play a highspeed style of offense that flows through their pacy wingers. Orlando City will look to squeeze its opponent into a narrow shape.
Orlando City has held the majority of on-ball possession in four of its five tournament matches. The key to continuing this style is winning the midfield.
“I expect just a fight,” Tesho Akindele said. “It’s going to be the same as any playoff game would be. You kind of saw it last game, a very physical battle, you know, just scratching and clawing for inches on the field.”
Minnesota showed its ability to produce a high-volume of goals during its 4-1 quarterfinal win over San Jose. Fresh off a dominant defensive performance over LAFC, the Lions will need to reorganize to shut down the Loons’ attack.
Besides hiring Pareja, the most important offseason move for Orlando City was the acquisition of goalkeeper Pedro Gallese. That might not show up on paper — with 13 saves so far, he’s tied for ninth in the league with only a one-goal advantage on the next five keepers below him.
The difference is the quality of
the saves Gallese makes. His talent was on display in the LAFC match, during which Gallese fended off MLS-leading scorer Diego Rossi on two separate occasions with a kick save and a double save.
Gallese is one of the many reasons the Lions’ defense has thrived. The addition of Antonio Carlos — a player Akindele describes as an MLS all-starlevel defender — further strengthened the backline.
But to each of the defenders, the team’s success fending off opponent goals is a group effort. Orlando City’s success has hinged on its ability to disrupt teams in every space of the field, defending in the Lions’ attacking third to shut down any hope of countering.
“It’s really the collective work,” Carlos said. “It starts up front. They’re marking those players, the opponents, and trying to break those balls so that they come not as clear for the opposing players when it gets to us. We believe that we’re doing a good job compacting the team and acting like a unit. The entire team is really marking and everyone is doing their part, and that makes us successful as a group.”
Both teams are currently navigating injury concerns. Orlando City striker Chris Mueller is questionable after hurting his shoulder in the opening minutes of the LAFC match, wearing a sling on the sidelines for the second half. Midfielder Júnior Urso is also looking to make his return to the pitch after suffering an injury in the final groupstage match, moving off the injury report for the first time for Thursday’s match.
Meanwhile, Minnesota has been missing key defender Ike Opara all tournament due to injury. The Loons also could be without Thomas Chacon and Romain Metanire, although former Orlando City midfielder Kevin Molino will return to face the Lions after picking up a knock earlier in the tournament.
Both sides, however, have shown their versatility throughout the tournament. The Loons and the Lions have followed similar storylines since they arrived at Disney World. Both were undersold from the beginning and remain undercard contenders for the championship.
Between a rematch with Heath and a constant battle to redefine that underdog label, this semifinal is stacked with storylines. But Pareja says his team only needs one motivator — its desire to win a title.
“I think the motivation for everyone who is participating in this game — I’m talking about clubs, fans, players, staff, coaches — is intrinsic,” Pareja said. “I think it comes from within us. I don’t need any extra factor to motivate anyone who is going to participate in a semifinal in Major League Soccer. I just see it as another game that represents a lot for everyone. There is no past and there is no future. It is just this one game, and we’re going to make sure that we are there.”