Orlando City off-course, crash out of Concacaf Champions Cup with 4-2 loss to Tigres UANL

Monterrey, MX – Orlando City SC‘s 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup run has come to an end, and for a 2nd season in a row, it comes at the hands (or feet?) of Tigres UANL in the round of 16, as Orlando suffers a 4-2 loss in Monterrey.

Orlando looked unorganized, with sloppy ball movement, and slow buildups. All of these are a symptom of one thing: lack of cohesion amongst players. To me, it was first noticeable when they played Miami. Coach Oscar Pareja kept key players on the bench to start and eventually lost 5-0. When it came to their big off-season signings in Nico Lodeiro and Luis Muriel, I said “It’s better to lose with them on the field so that at least they’re gaining experience with the team and getting real reps.” After their 0-0 draw in the 1st leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup round of 16 matchup vs Tigres at home, I asked coach Oscar Pareja if he was load managing minutes and he confirmed as much, due to the heavy schedule.

Managing minutes is one thing, but mismanaging that process is a completely different thing. Coach Pareja also mentioned they were monitoring different metrics to determine who needs down time, so it’s safe to say the coaching and training staff have some numbers and data behind their decisions. However, why not limit starter’s minutes at the end of matches as opposed to what they’ve done in having them rest at the beginning of matches? Matches are organized from the beginning of the game, not halftime, or a few minutes into the half.

Alright #OrlandoCity fans. Martins starts in place of Araujo, but switches sides with Wilder. I think Orlando gets their revenge game on #TigresUANL for last year’s #ConcaChampions elimination. #VamosOrlando pic.twitter.com/xcIMAl9uKp

— Gustavo Chacon (@onaPSIh) March 13, 2024

Where’s the consistency?

Had the starters been starting each match together, we might be seeing a more organized Orlando City on both sides of the ball. The greatest teams move the ball seamlessly, almost like they’re relying solely on muscle memory. Today, Pareja started the same squad that started the 1st leg vs Tigres. This is with the exception of Felipe Martins who started in place of an injured Cesar Araujo. Every other match in the season has seen a different lineup, even in the positions where players are organized. It’s difficult to create muscle memory in that manner.

For instance, David Brekalo, Nico Lodeiro, and Luis Muriel all started today. They’re all in their 1st season with Orlando, and this was only the 2nd time they all started a match together. The 1st time was in leg one vs Tigres. That stat is just a microcosm of how the lineup hasn’t seen any consistency at all this season.

Tigers hunt Lions

Tigres took full advantage of Orlando’s lack of familiarity. Marcelo Flores seemed like he was dancing around Orlando’s defense. That’s something that shouldn’t happen unless you’re allowing attackers to find plenty of space. When the defense is so familiar that they think as one unit, space is scarce commodity. Every Tigres goal was a lesson on how to expose a defense that gives up too much space. Even Pedro Gallese found himself in no-man’s-land, allowing Sebastian Cordova to lob a strike over El Pulpo’s head into the back of the net.

After a terrible start for #OrlandoCity, going down 2-0, they find themselves only down 1 goal after Torres converted a penalty.
For the 2nd half, Muriel has been MIA. Duncan could provide that extra boost to push Orlando. Will we see him?#VamosOrlando pic.twitter.com/8EIfV26kXI

— Gustavo Chacon (@onaPSIh) March 13, 2024

Now, with Orlando eliminated, they only have MLS matches to focus on until Leagues cup begins in late July. That gives Orlando four months to figure out who they are if they still want to compete for multiple trophies this season.

Next up, Orlando travels to the ATL to face rivals, Atlanta United FC this Saturday at 7PM.