Orlando City kicked-off their MLS Cup playoffs run with a 1-0 triumph over Nashville SC, continuing to build on their excellent 2023 regular season.
The Lions were one of the best overall teams in MLS in the regular season, enticing fans of other clubs with their flair and excitement that propelled them to a second place finish in the Eastern Conference table with 63 points.
Orlando set club records such as their highest ever finish in a season, with the likes of Facundo Torres and Mauricio Pereyra leading the way. But how exactly did Orlando pave their way to an impressive 2023 campaign?
Facundo Torres' rise to stardom
Torres took to life kindly in his first season in MLS, totaling nine goals and 10 assists upon joining from Uruguayan side Club Atletico Penarol in January 2022. However, the young star levelled up this season to help his team surge up the table in the East.
Although he didn't grab as many assists as he would've liked to in the regular season, Torres became much more of a goal threat in 2023 by tallying 14 goals and four assists. Torres then left assisting duties to the likes of Martin Ojeda and Ivan Angulo, who added seven and six assists, respectively.
Torres' stellar play has caught the eyes of a couple European giants, and the Lions can expect to go far in MLS Cup playoffs with the efficient winger in their ranks.
Oscar Pareja righting the ship
Oscar Pareja's tenure with Orlando seems to have gone under the radar.
Pareja was appointed as new boss of the Lions in 2020 after the central Florida club failed to qualify for the playoffs in 2018 and 2019. Since then, Orlando has gone on to make the postseason all four years under Pareja's guidance.
But this year has been different. With Pareja at the helm, Orlando have not only accumulated their best ever points total in a season, but they've also set new records in goal differential, road wins and overall wins.
The Lions found the back of the net 55 times over the course of the regular season (sixth-most in MLS), but Pareja's 4-2-3-1 setup kept things in check in defense, conceding just 39 goals (fourth-best in MLS) with the likes of Robin Jansson and Rodrigo Schlegel forming a solid parternship in the center of defense.
Pareja has orchestrated a season full of consistency and entertaining soccer with his full squad available at his disposal, and he'll be looking to be in the mix for MLS Cup come December.
The rookie sensation - Duncan McGuire
Few rookie in MLS history have made their mark like Duncan McGuire has. The Lions appears to have a real knack for finding up-and-coming strikers out of college such as Daryl Dike and Cyle Larin, and McGuire is no different.
The 22-year-old was the number six pick in the 2023 MLS Superdraft from Creighton University and claimed the starting spot up front for Orlando as his own. In 29 appearances (17 starts) McGuire has notched 13 goals, which is only second on the team behind Torres, as well as three assists.
Pareja has plenty of talent to choose from in his attacking unit, and the emergence of McGuire helps complete a lethal trio alongside Torres and Angulo, or possibly Ojeda.
The Lions became road warriors
Which MLS team performed the best on the road in 2023? That's right, it was Orlando.
The Lions won nine of their 17 road games played, while also drawing four contest and losing just four times. Orlando amassed 31 of their 63 points on the road, a mark of a great team that isn't limited to showing up to play only at their home ground.
Some of Orlando's impressive road wins include victories against Philadelphia Union (2-1), Minnesota United (2-1), Inter Miami (3-1, before the Lionel Messi era), Atlanta United (2-1), FC Cincinnati (1-0) and Nashville SC (1-0).
While Orlando are the number two seed in the playoffs picture and have home field advantage, their incredible road warrior mentality will come in handy down the line as the postseason heats up.
This article was originally published on 90min as Orlando City's rise to reach MLS Cup playoffs.