Orlando City desperate to notch first win of the season

Orlando City requires an outcome. Austin and the Lions have only played twice, the most recent in 2022. As of 2024, the team with the second-best record in the MLS is without a victory.

The Lions (0-3-1, 1 point) go to Inter&Co Stadium on Saturday to play Austin FC (0-1-3, 3 points), following a depressing road loss to Atlanta the previous weekend (MLS Season Pass, 7:30).

In their most recent encounter, the teams drew 2-2. Orlando is hoping that getting more sleep during the week will enable them to achieve a much-needed outcome.

Coach Oscar Pareja remarked, “It’s healthier that we have a few extra days to add to our training. “Obviously, I hope we can use that to gain a very necessary outcome, but most of all

“After that, we can allocate more time for training and matches with players who strengthen our squad. We’re making the most of this moment and we’re fine.

The Lions’ defense has been weak. Only four MLS games have seen Orlando give up ten goals. They have also had trouble scoring, scoring just twice following Duncan McGuire’s brace in the Minnesota United defeat.

“It’s a lot of things, not just one, in my opinion. Naturally, we need to improve our defense given the number of goals we have given up, Pareja stated. But I don’t attribute that to a particular person or faction. Simply said, I believe that when we move forward as a team, we score goals together. We must become more adept.

Since a large portion of the starting lineup is gone on international duty, Orlando will need to rely on its depth. Younger players can get experience from these games, and senior backups can demonstrate their worth as depth players and improve their match fitness.

“It’s tough when you don’t get regular game reps. But it’s just something you work every day like you are going to play here on the training field or in the gym,” said backup goalkeeper Mason Stajduhar, who’ll replace Pedro Gallese. “So I’m always preparing like I’m going to play on the weekend. So it’s nothing new, just the fact that I actually am scheduled to start this weekend.”

César Araújo (right ankle) and Ramiro Enrique (right ankle) are questionable for the Lions. David Brekalo (Slovenia), Wilder Cartagena (Peru), Gallese (Peru), Favian Loyola (U.S. U-19), McGuire (U.S. U-23), Abdi Salim (Somalia) and Facundo Torres (Uruguay) are unavailable because of international duty.