The soccer news starts with expectations in MLS. For FC Cincinnati, a quick start in their opening game led to an unnecessary reminder of the degree of difficulty. Expansion is tough. So is defending a title, something Atlanta went through at DC United. Neither of these extremes is news, necessarily. MLS isn't the type of league that regularly rewards the safe assumption. Maybe you'd like to . . .
The next Orlando City rebuild
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON DC (Nov 28, 2018) US Soccer Players - Orlando City hasn’t had much success on the field, failing to reach to the playoffs in every one its four top division seasons. Over that period, the club has gone through three different head coaches and several different strategies for breaking out of the also-ran group in Major League Soccer. None of the coaches (with the jury . . .
Orlando City’s misspent season
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON DC (Oct 19, 2018) US Soccer Players - The numbers don’t lie, as they say. Orlando City’s 2018 MLS season is the stuff of history, but not the good kind. With two games remaining on the club’s regular season schedule the Lions have already set a new standard for defensive frailty. Through 32 matches Orlando has conceded 72 goals, besting the previous ignominious mark of . . .
Next season for Orlando City
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON DC (Sep 14, 2018) US Soccer Players - Orlando City head coach James O’Connor paid his dues to earn his shot at the highest level of soccer in the United States. After ending his playing career with the USL version of Orlando City where he also served as an assistant, he moved to USL expansion team Louisville City as the top man. In three-plus seasons in Kentucky, . . .
Orlando City, FC Dallas, and the MLS reserves problem
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON DC (Sep 7, 2018) US Soccer Players - In 2016, Orlando City launched a reserve team called Orlando City B as part of Major League Soccer’s partnership with the USL. The team ostensibly served the same purpose as the rest of the USL’s MLS entries, providing professional minutes to up-and-coming players in the Lions’ system as part of a path to the first team. Results . . .
NYCFC wins, draw in El Trafico
Friday's soccer news starts with more from MLS Week 22, with NYCFC shutting out Orlando City 2-0 on the road. Maximiliano Moralez opened the scoring in the 40th minute and assisted on Anton Tinnerholm's goal a minute into first-half stoppage time. Orlando's Shane O'Neill saw red for violent conduct in the 83rd minute. Sean Johnson made five saves to keep the clean sheet. "The biggest thing for me . . .
Will things change for Seattle or Orlando?
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON DC (Jun 29, 2018) US Soccer Players - The story at the start of Week 18 of the MLS season are teams going opposite directions in rivalry games. Namely, the two games on Saturday's schedule. Should viewers stick around after Fox's World Cup coverage, they'll see the Seattle Sounders vs Portland Timbers derby. A few hours later, ESPN has Atlanta United hosting Orlando . . .
Orlando City and the MLS coaching game
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON DC (Jun 22, 2018) US Soccer Players - It’s tough to blame the leadership at Orlando City for deciding to dismiss head coach Jason Kreis during the brief World Cup break. The Lions aren’t exactly in a death spiral. It’s still too early for that. However, six losses in a row won't convince anybody that this is the year Orlando makes the playoffs. Kreis arrived in Florida . . .
What’s next for Orlando City?
If you want to part ways with a coach in MLS, dropping the news on a Friday when the attention is on the World Cup is certainly a strategy. That was the Orlando City scenario, announcing that ever popular parting of the ways with Jason Kreis and assistants CJ Brown and Miles Joseph out. The move wasn't exactly shocking. Orlando is currently 6th-place in the table, tied on 19 points with 7th-place . . .
Trying to make a run in the East
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON DC (Apr 18, 2018) US Soccer Players - Let’s start this discussion about the Eastern Conference of Major League Soccer by putting aside three teams: NYCFC, Atlanta United, and Toronto FC. That's the elite of both the Eastern Conference and MLS. You'd be hard-pressed to find anyone who disagrees that those teams belong at the top. Two other teams might deserve inclusion . . .
