It was a barn burner in Los Angeles on Sunday Night. Orlando City came out on the wrong end of the 4-3 affair, but what you saw was a team whose attack has begun to evolve under James O’Connor.
If we compare City’s stats in the last two matches against LA Galaxy and NYCFC with the first four matches under Head Coach James O’Connor’s management against Columbus Crew, Philadelphia Union, Toronto FC and LAFC, we see some notable improvements. The average numbers of shots, corners, crosses and total passes per match have risen considerably.
Orlando City's Offensive Numbers Under James O'Connor
Shots Average |
Growth Percentage |
|
<strong>First 4 Games</strong> |
13 |
|
<strong>Last 2 Games</strong> |
20 |
58% |
Corners Average |
Growth Percentage |
|
<strong>First 4 Games</strong> |
4 |
|
<strong>Last 2 Games</strong> |
10 |
150% |
Crosses Average |
Growth Percentage |
|
<strong>First 4 Games</strong> |
11 |
|
<strong>Last 2 Games</strong> |
21.5 |
95% |
Total Passes Average |
Growth Percentage |
|
<strong>First 4 Games</strong> |
404.25 |
|
<strong>Last 2 Games</strong> |
452 |
12% |
Green -Shots on Target/ Red – Shots off Target/ Yellow – Blocked Shots/ Soccer Ball – Goals
Orlando City’s shots against Philadelphia Union and Columbus Crew: Only eighteen opportunities created
The massive percentage increases seen are easily visible on the field. You see more players involved in the attack, creative movement, and an aggressive approach in the final third.
Now let’s take a look at Orlando City’s chance creation.
In the U.S Open Cup loss against Philadelphia Union on July 18, Orlando City only recorded 10 shots on goal. Three days later, the team went to Columbus and created only eight opportunities (although two of them were goals). Eight different players were responsible for those shots (Amro Tarek, Donny Toia, Will Johnson, Josué Colman, Sacha Kljestan, Chris Mueller Stéfano Pinho and Yoshimar Yotún).
Green -Shots on Target/ Red – Shots off Target/ Yellow – Blocked Shots/ Soccer Ball – Goals
Orlando City’s shots against Philadelphia Union and Columbus Crew: Only eighteen opportunities created
The chances created by the Lions have increased dramatically in the past two matches. A total of 40 shots were taken against City’s opponents. That is 22 more than the previous two matches and seven more than the team’s average in six matches under O’Connor (13 shots per match). The total number of players involved on those opportunities also grew: from 8 to 16.
Green -Shots on Target/ Red – Shots off Target/ Yellow – Blocked Shots/ Soccer Ball – Goals
Orlando City’s 2 most recent matches against NYCFC and LA Galaxy: more created opportunities by different players
As the team’s play has improved, so have the individuals. In Dom Dwyer’s first three matches under O’Connor, he shot on goal eight times - scoring once. In the last two matches, he created 10 total opportunities and scored once.
Midfielders Yoshimar Yotún and Sacha Kljestan are also producing more. They combined for 8 opportunities and two goals in their first four matches with O’Connor. In the last two, they have produced a total of 14 opportunities.
Green -Shots on Target/ Red – Shots off Target/ soccer ball - goal
Yotún and Kljestan in the first 4 matches with O’Connor: few opportunities created
In the last 2 matches, Yotún and Kljestan gave their opponents more trouble
By looking at the numbers we have at our disposal, it’s very possible that Sunday’s scoring outburst was not an anomaly. City’s attack looks to have settled in with Head Coach James O’Connor. The Lions will look to continue that progress this Saturday night against the New England Revolution at Orlando City Stadium.
