What's Happening?
Orlando City SC fell into a wild-card spot following a 4-2 defeat against Toronto FC on Saturday night. The match, held at BMO Field, saw Toronto's Djordje Mihailovic score twice, contributing to Toronto's first home win since June 28. Orlando, with a record
of 14-9-11, was overtaken in the standings by the Columbus Crew, who secured a victory over the New York Red Bulls. Toronto FC, with a record of 6-14-14, managed to avoid finishing last among Canadian teams, surpassing CF Montreal by four points. The game featured a notable performance by Jonathan Osorio, who scored early for Toronto, and Mihailovic's free-kick goal that extended Toronto's lead. Despite efforts from Orlando's David Brekalo and Duncan McGuire, the team could not overcome the deficit.
Why It's Important?
This result has significant implications for Orlando City as they now face a more challenging path in the playoffs, starting with a wild-card match against the Chicago Fire on November 22. The loss highlights Orlando's ongoing struggles with away games, having not secured an away victory since July 25. For Toronto FC, the win provides a morale boost and a positive end to their home game drought. The outcome also affects the playoff dynamics in the Eastern Conference, with Orlando needing to regroup quickly to advance further.
What's Next?
Orlando City will prepare for their upcoming wild-card match against the Chicago Fire. The team will need to address their away game performance issues to succeed in the playoffs. Toronto FC, having concluded their season, will focus on building for the next season, potentially using this victory as a foundation for improvement.
