The Audi 2020 MLS Cup Playoffs are here and the Lions’ matchup is set, slated to take on New York City FC in their first postseason match in Club history, celebrated by Orlando Health, on Saturday, Nov. 21 at Exploria Stadium.
With that, we’re looking back at some of our most memorable matches against the Pigeons as the Lions prepare to face off against their 2015 expansion rivals in what is already another historic match in our Club's history.
July 14, 2020 - Orlando City 3, NYCFC 1
Following a dramatic 2-1 victory over intrastate foes Inter Miami CF to begin their MLS is Back Tournament campaign, the Lions returned to the pitch on July 14 to take on their 2015 expansion rivals, looking to secure their spot in the knockout round of the competition.
It took a whole four minutes for the Lions to get going, with Chris Mueller getting on the end of an in-swinging free kick from João Moutinho to give City the early lead. Six minutes later, Mueller would double the Lions’ advantage, in what served as the fastest brace in Club history.
The Pigeons would go on to halve their deficit just before the halftime break, with Jesús Medina striking a half-volley into the right side netting in the 38th minute of play. However, the Lions regained their two-goal lead in the 81st off the head of Tesho Akindele in what served as the goal to clinch the top spot in the group for City heading into the knockouts.
Following that impressive performance against an NYCFC team that would go on to make a run to the Quarterfinals of the competition, Oscar Pareja’s side began to creep onto the radar of those covering the tournament and the league as a whole.
“It was a great night for the Club and for the boys. They had a terrific effort on the field and that effort was rewarded. We had a lot of people in the match, many times in a lot of sequences, that had the personality to have a good start and at the end hold the result against a team who is well structured and has very good players too,” Pareja said following the match. “It is a night to grow, it is a night to feel confident about what we’re doing here. I don’t get tired to say that this is very well deserved for the players who made a great effort on the field.”
While the match itself was much different than the Lions’ previous most memorable against the Pigeons for a number of reasons, it nonetheless was a result that provided a lot of excitement to those in City’s camp.
Excitement about the play of Chris Mueller. Excitement about the effects of Oscar Pareja.
Excitement for what was to come.
“When a coach manages the players so well and gives you confidence to go out and play your own game and show some personality on the field, I think that that’s all you can ask for. I think that he’s done that really well, especially with me,” Mueller said after the match. “I feel confident to go out and play my own game. If you look at the team, I think that our mentality is just different in the sense that we believe that we’re a winning team.
“We know that we have a lot of quality out there, we’re well-coached, the whole staff is so detail-oriented and they know what they want. Everybody has a clear role and I think that when you bring that together with a group of quality players who are focused and determined to win, it makes a good mix for a good squad and obviously a team who is looking to go deep. We have all the components we need and I’m looking forward to seeing where we can go.”
Now, what was to come is fast-approaching, as the Lions prepare for Saturday’s historic playoff matchup against the Pigeons from New York City.
