Slow starts are nothing new for Orlando City. In 2023, the Lions looked completely out of the picture until the summer when they went on an excellent run of form to go from outside the playoffs into second place in the Supporters’ Shield standings.
This season was supposed to start quicker, with most of the team returning and a few potential upgrades in Nico Lodeiro and David Brekalo. Forward Duncan McGuire looked set to head to England before Blackburn Rovers pulled out of the deal, but the Lions brought in Colombian international Luis Muriel, who was supposed to ignite the squad with his attacking capabilities.
Unfortunately for Orlando City, things did not work as well as anyone had hoped. The Lions only won twice in their first 10 matches and lost another five. A huge contributing factor was the drop-off in form from Uruguayan forward Facundo Torres.
With Facundo Torres is in scoring form, Orlando City likes chances vs. New York City
Torres managed just two goals in the first three months, leading Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa to leave him off the Copa America roster.
The disappointment of missing out on such a monumental tournament lit a fire for Torres. In the 17 games after it was announced he would not be playing in the tournament, Torres scored 12 goals and cemented himself as the Lions’ all-time leading goal-scorer. His uptick in form made everyone around him better and helped the Lions climb up into fourth place in the MLS Eastern Conference.
“It obviously gives us and gives myself lots of confidence, especially when you’re going through a period working so hard and things don’t seem to come off,” Torres said after scoring two goals in a 4-2 win against the Chicago Fire just days after being denied a spot with Uruguay. “It can be really frustrating. It can be really difficult to get through, especially a couple of weeks ago getting left off the Copa America roster. It hurts.
“But the only thing you can do is pick your head up and go back to it and just work. Work even harder so that way you can find those successes that are yet to come.”
Orlando City coach Oscar Pareja also credited Torres for his club’s turnaround. He has come to rely heavily on the young forward who, despite being here for three seasons, is still just 24 years old.
“Facu has tremendous tactical generosity and its incredible. But Facu knew that we were asking for much more than that and that’s a lot of responsibility,” Pareja said after that June 22 win at Inter&Co Stadium. “Despite Facu’s age, Facu took on the responsibility and took the team to victory. As not only does Facu need to keep performing like that, but we expect that from everyone else as well on the team. As we are very happy to see Facu score and succeed.”
The Lions would go on to win 11 games out of the final 17 and have built momentum heading into the postseason. Torres’ form has lifted up Martin Ojeda (4G, 9A), who said before the season finale against Atlanta United that they had to really dig deep in the second half of the season to get to this spot.
Orlando City Soccer player Facundo Torres enjoys himself as he is interviewed during Orlando City and Orlando Pride Playoffs Media Day at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando Pride player Marta is pictured during Orlando City and Orlando Pride Playoffs Media Day at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando City and Pride have a lot to smile about Thursday. Both clubs are heading to the postseason and attended a special media day. From left, Pride coach Seb Hines and VP of soccer operations Haley Carter stand with City GM Luiz Muzzi, and coach Oscar Pareja at Inter&Co Stadium. City opens play at home Sunday vs. Charlotte FC. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando City Soccer player Dagur Thorhallsson is pictured during Orlando City and Orlando Pride Playoffs Media Day at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando Pride player Barbra Banda is pictured during Orlando City and Orlando Pride Playoffs Media Day at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando City Soccer player Facundo Torres is pictured during Orlando City and Orlando Pride Playoffs Media Day at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando Pride player Marta is pictured during Orlando City and Orlando Pride Playoffs Media Day at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando City Soccer player Dagur Thorhallsson is pictured during Orlando City and Orlando Pride Playoffs Media Day at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
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Orlando City Soccer player Facundo Torres enjoys himself as he is interviewed during Orlando City and Orlando Pride Playoffs Media Day at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
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“A couple of months ago, we had a bad run a form and we decided in that moment that for the rest of the year every game was going to be a playoff game for us,” Ojeda said. “We decided that internally, amongst the group. So we faced every game like that, continued climbing, continued piling up wins and getting ourselves ready for the playoffs.”
The Lions will need Torres to be at his best if they want to get past last season’s quarterfinal exit. A tough matchup against Charlotte FC awaits. If they win, a potential matchup with Supporters’ Shield winners Inter Miami and Lionel Messi would be a massive hurdle.
The way the Lions have been playing in recent months should give them confidence, and a return to the Uruguayan National team in September has shown that Torres is in peak form just when teammates and coaches need him to be.
“Now looking where we are right now, we’re in a beautiful moment. We finished fourth. We’re in a good spot in terms of how the team is playing,” Ojeda added. “Looking back at everything the whole season, that five-month span, now we’re in a really good spot and it’s great to see that progress.”
Up next …
Orlando City vs. Charlotte FC
When: 7:30, Sunday, Inter&Co Stadium
TV: FS1
Originally Published: