Sep 21, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Orlando Metropolis midfielder Facundo Torres (10) dribbles the ball whereas Columbus Crew defender Andres Herrera (2) defends within the second half at Decrease.com Discipline. Obligatory Credit score: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Photos Orlando Metropolis SC can clinch a playoff spot with a win towards host FC Dallas on Saturday night time in Frisco, Texas.
Orlando Metropolis (12-11-7, 43 factors) are in fifth place within the Jap Convention and 8-3-1 of their final 12 matches. They’d gained three straight matches — all shutouts — earlier than a 4-3 loss to the Columbus Crew final Saturday.
It is a return to North Texas for Orlando Metropolis head coach Oscar Pareja, who was on the helm in Dallas from 2014-18.
“It is at all times good to be again to a spot the place you stayed that a few years … (Dallas) has a particular place in (my) coronary heart,” stated Pareja, who led Dallas to Supporters’ Protect and U.S. Open Cup titles in 2016.
That stated, the primary goal for Pareja on Saturday is clinching a playoff spot.
“I acknowledge … how necessary it’s for us to have the ability to play video games, for us to go there with our staff and accumulate these three factors,” he stated.
Luis Muriel entered within the 58th minute and scored twice for Orlando towards Columbus, his first time scoring in practically three months. Facundo Torres leads the staff with 12 objectives, scoring 4 occasions in three matches earlier than the loss towards the Crew.
In the meantime, FC Dallas (10-13-7, 37 factors) is 5 factors out of the ninth and remaining postseason spot within the Western Convention with 4 matches remaining. They halted an 0-2-1 winless stretch final Saturday with a 3-1 win over Los Angeles FC.
A loss would not get rid of Dallas from playoff competition, however time is working out.
“Since I got here right here, the purpose was clear that we wish to play (within the) playoffs, that we wish to combat to win titles, and that is what we intend to do,” Dallas striker Petar Musa stated, based on the Dallas Morning Information.
Musa, who scored within the win towards LAFC, has been one of many standouts for Dallas in 2024, registering a team-high 15 objectives by means of 27 matches.
“Petar will not be very vocal within the locker room. He’s extra of a quiet character, however he leads by instance,” interim head coach Peter Luccin stated.
“Everybody on the staff respects him for a way mature he’s and the skilled approach he conducts himself.”
–Discipline Degree Media