As Orlando City gets ready to face the Houston Dynamo on Saturday night, both teams come off wins in the U.S. Open Cup.
However, their performance in MLS matches this season has not been strong.
Orlando City (1-5-1, 4 points) and Houston (2-4-0, 6 points) still have chances to move up in the playoff race. Saturday’s game is a chance to work towards that aim.
Orlando City’s sole MLS win happened on March 14 against Montreal, which was followed by two heavy defeats to LAFC and Nashville, with a total score of 11-0.
This week has been better for the Lions after they drew 1-1 with Columbus and won 1-0 against FC Naples, advancing to the Round of 16 in the U.S. Open Cup.
Following three losses at the beginning of the season, Orlando City parted ways with coach Oscar Pareja and welcomed Sebastian Setti, who has experience in MLS, Europe, and Liga MX, as an assistant to interim coach Martin Perelman. Martin Ojeda and Marco Pasalic each lead the team with two goals.
“It’s important,” said Orlando City forward Tyrese Spicer about the U.S. Cup win. “Every game is like a final, as Martin (Perelman) says. We need to win one after another and keep building.”
Houston bounced back from a tough 6-2 defeat to Colorado last Saturday with a solid 4-1 victory over El Paso in the U.S. Open Cup.
“We managed the game well to set us up for hopefully some success this weekend — especially on the road, where we haven’t done well,” said Houston coach Ben Olsen.
Midfielder Guilherme has stood out for a team seeking steady performance. Before the big loss to Colorado, two of the Dynamo’s defeats were by just one goal, and another by two goals.
With five goals this season, Guilherme ranks fourth in the MLS, tying with reigning league MVP Lionel Messi and others.