ORLANDO, Fla. — 18 days is a long time between games for the Lions.
After Orlando City's Leagues Cup run ended earlier in the month, the team got a few days off before hitting the ground running again, spending the last nine days in preparation for the final 11 matches of the season.
It was also a good time for the coaching staff to take time to reinforce the ideas and concepts that they have worked on all season, hoping to polish those intricate tactics and set pieces while they can.
"It's obviously a very important time for us towards what is the final phase of the season and qualifying for the playoffs," Head coach Oscar Pareja said before training at Orlando Health Training Ground at Osceola Heritage Park on Tuesday.
Up first in the Lions' quest to finish the season strong is their away match against the Chicago Fire (8:30 p.m. kickoff | MLS Season Pass on Apple TV (subscription required), a team they have already found success against earlier this season.
"Each game is a new challenge each and every time we go out.," Forward Facundo Torres said, "So hopefully we're able to go out and do things well and have things turn out in a similar way. But you know, going outside of our home and going out on the road is always a new challenge as well, so hopefully, we go in and we're able to get the result."
The Lions and Fire have played 18 matches against each other in their MLS tenure, which is the seventh most-played team Orlando has faced. Since Oscar Pareja's hire in 2020, the Lions have a 4-1-1 against the Fire. Prior to that, they had just a 2-5-6 against Chicago, showing a marked improvement over the last three seasons.
“Earlier this season, we had a good result, and that context is good to have some ideas on how we can approach the game," Pareja said. "What's most important for us is to focus on the present on this final road, not just against Chicago but also on the games that are to come. Mentally and physically, we have to be prepared. Tactically we have an idea of the game, and the players know the model that we have developed, and we have to be efficient with that.”
Odds and ends
- Both Junior Urso and Mikey Halliday, who have missed extended time with injuries, were back in full training this week. They've traveled with the team and are listed as questionable for tonight's match.
- Gastón González, who has also missed extended time, has been back in training with the team, but remains listed as out.
Don't miss Kickoff -60, airing one hour before Orlando City's match, exclusively on the LionNation App. Join host Gabrielle Amado and Orlando City’s English-language radio talents Evan Weston and Paul Shaw as they break down the upcoming match, with special guests appearing regularly throughout the season.
Fans can download the LionNation App at the link here.
