Orlando City and D.C. United Seek to Build on Recent Scoring Surges

Orlando City and D.C. United both ended scoring droughts in a significant way on Wednesday night, each finding the back of the net for a season-high four goals.

As the teams prepare to meet Saturday night in Washington, they will aim to carry the momentum of their newly revitalized offenses.

Orlando City, which had been outscored 13-1 in their previous four MLS matches, rebounded with a 4-1 home victory over Charlotte FC earlier this week. Martin Ojeda scored twice, while 19-year-old Luis Otavio netted his first professional goal for the Lions (2-6-1, 7 points).

The team displayed offensive efficiency, scoring on four of their six shots on target. Goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau contributed with four saves at the other end.

Following a disappointing start to the season that saw three consecutive losses, Orlando parted ways with coach Oscar Pareja in his seventh season and promoted assistant Martin Perelman to the interim head coach position. Since the change, the Lions have recorded a 2-3-1 record.

Ojeda leads the team with four goals, while veteran Ivan Angulo has five assists and newcomer Tiago Souza has provided three assists, marking their contributions to the team’s offense.

“We’re working. The team is growing. The players are doing an amazing effort,” Perelman remarked. “This is a long season. What matters is where we stand at the end. That is our mindset.”

D.C. United found their scoring touch as well, having failed to score in four consecutive MLS matches prior to a thrilling 4-4 draw against the New York Red Bulls on Wednesday. D.C. (2-4-3, 9 points) entered the match with the lowest goal tally in the league, but Tai Baribo recorded a hat trick while Jackson Hopkins added a goal and an assist, helping the team come back from a 3-1 deficit in the second half.

On Saturday, D.C. United will look to overcome their struggles at home, where they have secured only one victory in their last 14 MLS matches dating back to May of last year.

“I think they will be more compact because of the change of the coach,” said D.C. manager Rene Weiler regarding Orlando. “The players want to show their best side to the new coach.”

Orlando has performed well against D.C. in recent matchups, going 3-0-1 in the last two seasons, thus evening out the all-time series at 9-9-3.