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 Photographs Orlando Metropolis SC can clinch a playoff spot with a win in opposition to 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 received 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 all the time good to be again to a spot the place you stayed that a few years … (Dallas) has a particular place in (my) coronary heart,” mentioned Pareja, who led Dallas to Supporters’ Defend and U.S. Open Cup titles in 2016.
That mentioned, the principle goal for Pareja on Saturday is clinching a playoff spot.
“I acknowledge … how essential it’s for us to have the ability to play video games, for us to go there with our crew and gather these three factors,” he mentioned.
Luis Muriel entered within the 58th minute and scored twice for Orlando in opposition to Columbus, his first time scoring in practically three months. Facundo Torres leads the crew with 12 objectives, scoring 4 occasions in three matches earlier than the loss in opposition to the Crew.
In the meantime, FC Dallas (10-13-7, 37 factors) is 5 factors out of the ninth and last 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 eradicate Dallas from playoff competition, however time is operating out.
“Since I got here right here, the aim was clear that we wish to play (within the) playoffs, that we wish to struggle to win titles, and that is what we intend to do,” Dallas striker Petar Musa mentioned, in keeping with the Dallas Morning Information.
Musa, who scored within the win in opposition to LAFC, has been one of many standouts for Dallas in 2024, registering a team-high 15 objectives via 27 matches.
“Petar just isn’t very vocal within the locker room. He’s extra of a quiet character, however he leads by instance,” interim head coach Peter Luccin mentioned.
“Everybody on the crew respects him for a way mature he’s and the skilled method he conducts himself.”
–Discipline Degree Media
