Orlando City SC aim to continue a number of streaks on Tuesday night when they host Toronto FC.
Orlando City (8-5-7, 31 points) is undefeated in its last six matches against Toronto, running its record to 4-0-2 in those games after winning both meetings last season.
Orlando City also boasts a six-match unbeaten string at home (3-0-3), while Toronto is winless in 13 consecutive matches on the road (0-9-4).
“When we are at home it is an incredible feeling, that feeling of just being connected with the fans and producing is what helps us a lot,” Lions coach Oscar Pareja said. “Hopefully we can do the same on Tuesday. It is a tough match but we’re grinding.”
Facundo Torres continued his torrid stretch by scoring a goal in each half of Orlando City’s 3-1 victory over the Chicago Fire on Saturday. He has scored five of his team-leading seven goals over his last four MLS matches.
“Thankfully, with a bit of luck, things have been going well. I’ve got that renewed motivation,” Torres said. “I think the (Uruguay) national team really helped re-spark that because when you’re called into the national team and you can score, you’ve got that feeling of happiness and I was able to bring some of that motivation back from the national team into here.
“We’re playing really well right now and things are just starting to click.”
Things aren’t clicking for Toronto FC (3-8-10, 19 points), who saw their losing streak extend to three matches and their winless run increase to six (0-3-3) following Saturday’s 1-0 setback to Real Salt Lake.
“It’s a tough one to swallow for sure,” Terry Dunfield said following his debut as the Reds’ interim coach. “I thought that the guys gave me everything. The guys in that change room could be really proud of their performance.”
Toronto FC played Saturday’s match without Richie Laryea and Jonathan Osorio (Canada), goalkeeper Sean Johnson (United States) and Tomas Romero (El Salvador) due to international duties in the Gold Cup.
Federico Bernardeschi is tied for the team lead in both goals (three) and assists (four).
–Field Level Media
