Orlando City shot up the Eastern Conference standings thanks to the free fall that Columbus and Miami went on last month.
Orlando had Cup aspirations this season that are still intact as they are in the middle of the pack with a shot to get a good playoff spot with the rest of the Summer ahead of them.
The past few weeks have been tough for Orlando, thanks to the Gold Cup taking away their young star in Alex Freeman at Right Back. Not having Freeman in the lineup not just hurts their defense but also limits their attack and the creativity in their counterattacks.
Orlando is still in a prime spot to compete; the loss against FC Cincinnati did teach us a few things.
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What we Learned against Cincinnati
Orlando needs Alex Freeman as he has become an impact player that cannot be replicated or replaced.
Freeman has earned his role with the USMNT as he has been able to mold himself to a new role that suits the team more than it benefits himself.
Orlando Freeman has been able to create chances from the back line and push the ball up vertically while creating chances for the forwards. Freeman is just 20 years old and in his first full year with the first team in Orlando.
Freeman’s unique abilities and skill set are needed for this team to make the next step into being a contender for the MLS Cup. This team has talent up and down the roster, but falls just behind some of the other top clubs in the East that are fighting for a top spot against them.
Cincinnati is the second-best or equal to the Philadelphia Union at this point of the season, with Nashville SC right behind them. Anything can happen in the playoffs if these two teams can meet despite the advantage clearly going to Cincinnati.
Where do they rank in the East?
Orlando has bounced around the rankings since the start of the season, which has made it difficult to find out what kind of team Orlando is and where it truly lands when it comes to talent.
Orlando is a top-six team in the East, although fans wouldn’t be too happy with where I rank them in that top six.
Orlando is sitting at five in the current standings. I believe that Miami is slightly better than them, even considering the dominant victory Orlando secured against them.
Miami sits four points behind Orlando, considering Miami hasn’t played a league game in weeks, that lead could diminish quickly if Orlando cannot string more wins together, as we are in the midst of the Summer months.
Orlando sits one point behind Columbus; the Crew appear to be the better squad so far this year, though it has been close. Columbus fell out of form in early June, but they have recovered in the past few weeks with better play.
Orlando is in the mix in the East and will be considered a dark horse once the playoffs begin.
Main Photo
Credit IMAGO / SOPA Images
Recording Date 03.05.2025