Orlando City SC have been in mostly a good groove this season, but coach Oscar Pareja said reaching the midpoint of the schedule can be an important crossroads.
“Now we have to do it again and again,” Pareja said.
The next chance for that comes Saturday night on the road against Charlotte FC.
Orlando City (9-5-6, 33 points) is 2-2-0 in its last four matches, with both victories coming in road outings.
Charlotte (8-11-1, 25 points), which has a three-match losing streak, will play at home for the first time since May 24.
“Our performances have definitely deserved more than what we’ve got, but we can’t keep making the same mistakes,” Charlotte coach Dean Smith said.
Finally being back in its home stadium could be a boost for Charlotte. There’s also a disgruntled element among fans who want to see better results.
“When you’re losing games, there will be some brutal things that are said,” Smith said.
Orlando City will be without defender Alex Freeman again as he remains with the U.S. national team.
Charlotte is looking to shore up its defense, with Smith saying the fullback situation needs to be addressed. That might be difficult in the short term because Smith said defender Souleyman Doumbia is out for this weekend because of an ailing hamstring, while defender Andrew Privett is doubtful because of a hip flexor.
Charlotte gained some potential stability this week with midfielder Pep Biel’s loan becoming permanent through the end of the season if certain metrics are met.
Biel has racked up six goals and eight assists in 19 MLS matches this year.
Charlotte’s offense could get a boost from Idan Toklomati, who has scored in back-to-back matches.
Orlando City won 3-1 against Charlotte in a May 14 meeting at home. Charlotte’s Wilfried Zaha scored on the team’s only shot on goal, while the winners got goals from Luis Muriel, Martin Ojeda and Ramiro Enrique.
“The team we have faced before,” Pareja said. “We know them.”
–Field Level Media
