KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Two games into the 2026 MLS season and Orlando City SC is still searching for its first points of the campaign. Now the Lions hit the road this weekend with a sense of urgency to get a result and put the season back on track.Â
The Lions travel north to face New York City FC on Saturday afternoon at Yankee Stadium, a venue that has been challenging for the Florida side over the years, partly due to its narrow field and tight conditions.
"This is the industry, especially from my seat, that we all feel that the job needs to be done. That's why we're here," Pareja said following training at Orlando Health Training Ground at Osceola Heritage Park this Thursday. "We have that responsibility, especially the coach. I know that we need results. We want to develop, we want to construct, we need many things, but winning makes it easier. The feeling of doing that by winning is much better. Otherwise, it's complicated."
Despite the tough start, Pareja remains confident in what his team is capable of, pointing to the first half against Inter Miami, where his team felt dominant and scored twice, as a reason for optimism heading into the weekend.
"Our team in the last game already gave signs of improvement and commitment and trying to do much more efficiently what we need in order to win," he said. "Now we need to keep doing that, but win games. No doubt that we are urgent to get results, and I feel that is a challenge, but I think we have a good mentality, and the boys are ready."
Speaking of this weekend, New York City has shown a different look to start this season, largely operating without a traditional striker and relying on its midfield, especially midfielder Keaton Parks, to create. It's a wrinkle the Lions will need to account for, especially given the unique dimensions of Yankee Stadium's playing surface.
"They have different ideas, especially in that part of the pitch," Pareja said. "We try to neutralize things the way we think it should be done. But also, don't forget that the team has this urgency to propose and not just have the defensive side correct. We have to keep scoring. That was another positive part of the last game, that we already showed other ways to score."
Additional positives from the first two matches were the involvement of the Homegrown Lions getting their first real chances with the team. Tahir Reid-Brown and Colin Guske both featured prominently in the last match, while Zakaria Taifi notched an assist in the first match. Pareja noted that their growth has been something that he wants to shine a light on going forward.
"We try to pick the right time for them to jump in, in a zone where we want them to feel confidence," he said. "I'm so happy to see how Colin and Tahir performed, especially in the last game. It was a very tough, rigid, emotional game, and they responded first class. We are so happy to see the growth of the Academy and the connection with them. I know we need to win games, that's what I'm here for. But that side that belongs to the players and their own development is very positive."
Kickoff on Saturday is an early one, set for 2:30 p.m. ET via MLS on Apple TV.
Odds and Ends:
- Defender Adrián MarÃn returned to training this week. Pareja said he expects him to be available for selection on Saturday.
- Rookie Nolan Miller is training after coming out of the Inter Miami match in the 59th minute.
