Orlando City v Los Angeles FC: Pareja seeking injection of confidence

Oscar Pareja believes it is important for Orlando City to rediscover their self-confidence ahead of Saturday’s clash with in-form Los Angeles FC at Inter&Co Stadium.

The international break means Orlando have been out of action since a 1-0 defeat to the New York Red Bulls on June 2, their third straight game without a victory.

While they sit a lowly 11th in the Eastern Conference standings with 17 points, LAFC are second in the West with 30 points after winning five in a row in MLS play.

Asked about the value of having time off to reflect on their poor run, Pareja said: “It’s important, because with the work we do, the intensity of how we do things is important.

“We are optimistic after having a refresh when we needed it.”

On the challenge of facing LAFC, the Orlando coach added: “Many teams have challenges with players being away. We are professionals, we expect a team that is playing well.

“But at the same time, it’s a great opportunity for us to play well and raise our confidence, to get the points we need right now.”

In all competitions, LAFC have won their last six matches without conceding, becoming the first team from MLS to ever accomplish that feat.

Head coach Steve Cherundolo believes that achievement is the result of a team effort, saying: “I think the team is playing a mature, professional, complete 90 minutes.

“Some teams have better defensive solutions against us so we don’t have quite as many chances, but in every game we are creating chances and we are not giving up many chances.

“Our collective defending is very good. You’re seeing it all come together.”

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— LAFC (@LAFC) June 11, 2024

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Orlando City – Nicolas Lodeiro

Lodeiro has been involved in nine goals in MLS play against Los Angeles (five goals, four assists, including playoffs).

Only Cristian Espinoza (15) and Zlatan Ibrahimovic (11) have been involved in more versus them.

Los Angeles FC – Denis Bouanga

Bouanga scored LAFC’s goal in their 1-0 win over FC Dallas last time out on June 1.

The goal was Bouanga’s 48th in all competitions since the start of last season, 16 more than any other MLS player in that time.

MATCH PREDICTION – LOS ANGELES FC WIN

LAFC are unbeaten in four all-time meetings with Orlando (two wins, two draws), though the Lions did eliminate them on penalties from the quarter-finals of MLS is Back in 2020.

Orlando are winless in their last five home matches, drawing two and losing three while failing to net in each of their last three – they had only previously gone three home matches without netting in their second, third and fourth home MLS games back in 2015.

LAFC, meanwhile, have won seven successive matches in all competitions, the last six of them to nil. They will fancy their chances of victory, even without home advantage.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Orlando City – 37.7%

Los Angeles FC – 35.9%

Draw – 26.4%