Lions to face strong competition during push for the playoffs
Orlando City will have to navigate matches against three teams above they MLS playoff cut line as the Lions work to clinch the first playoff bid in club history.
The Lions’ remaining regular season schedule was released by the league Tuesday.
October will be a critical month for Orlando City. The Lions will play the Columbus Crew, who sit in first place in the Eastern Conference and only five points ahead of Orlando City in the lead for the Supporters Shield. Orlando City will also play rematches against regional opponents Nashville, Atlanta United and Inter Miami along with facing the New York Red Bulls and the Montreal Impact, who are in playoff contention, for the first time this year.
Six of the nine matches will be broadcast locally on WRBWChannel 65, with commentary provided by Evan Weston, Miguel Gallardo and Orlando Pride star Ali Krieger.
The Lions’ October matches against the New York Red Bulls
and Atlanta United will be air nationally on Fox and FS1, respectively, while the team’s October match against Inter Miami will be broadcast nationally on Univision.
MLS announced its post-Disney bubble regular season into two phases to allow for more mobility while adapting to the coronavirus pandemic. Phase One focused on regional play, with the Lions facing Atlanta, Nashville and Miami during home-andaway matches.
Phase Two featured a wider variety of opponents. Orlando City faced Chicago Fire in its first Phase Two match and will travel to play Sporting KC and FC Dallas
during its next two games of the stage this week.
The remaining nine matches of Phase Two will decide whether the Lions earn an elusive playoff bid.
The MLS playoff pool has been expanded by four teams this season, allowing 18 teams to qualify for the postseason. The playoffs will begin on Nov. 20, with the MLS Cup scheduled for Dec. 12.
Orlando City is No. 3 in the Eastern Conference table with 22 points. The Lions are also third in the race for the Supporters Shield.