Orlando City are looking to wind down their preseason with one more tune-up before we get into the regular season. Thankfully, for (some) Orlando City fans, we will be able to view this match – one of the few matches fans were able to watch this season. So now that some of us will be able to view the match, what are some things we should look for or things we could see?
What does the starting XI look like?
Throughout preseason, Orlando City has played a fair amount of players, in a bunch of different spots, and with some different formations (we talked about a three back set on our latest episode of LPO). So will we see a “Starting XI” when we watch the team on Saturday? I certainly hope so. I think this helps on two levels. One, this gives the fans confidence that Papi knows what his starting lineup would look like. Last season, fans could clearly see the lineup Papi wanted to run out there and he often ran that lineup into the ground. So normally, it would be easy for us to know what that lineup would be. Two, it allows the players to get closer to 90 minutes fit. This offseason has been so test heavy and players have come in late, that there would be a big benefit for giving the guys a long run out. Maybe not the whole 90 minutes but a good 60 or 70 minutes would be great. However, with all the changes in the offseason, that lineup is harder to figure out. I presume that lineup will be one of the three options below:
This first lineup is a more “conservative” and Papi-like lineup. It keeps the attacking front four the same as last year to keep a level of consistency with the effort of trying to spark Ivan Angulo into a different form. In the middle of the park, Wilder Cartagena slides back into the “6” role and has Eduard Atuesta next to him, the midfielder who played a ton of minutes for Orlando City and had some brilliant moments. I believe right now, Braian Ojeda will have to fight his way into the starting XI. If we look at the defensive line, there’s a bit of change here but not a ton of surprise. Adrian Marin, according to reports, has played a solid preseason thus far and will get the nod to start at left back. The center back pairing will be anchored by David Brekalo, which seemed obvious after the news of Robin Jansson being out broke but who will next to him? I think it’s very possible that Iago steps in and takes that job right away. That’s not an insult to Nolan Miller, it’s just the level of quality that Iago brings is hard to ignore. But Miller still gets a spot on the field but at right back potentially. The club doesn’t have a natural right back left besides Zakaria Taifi but Papi doesn’t tend to trust the kids, so this could be a way to keep Miller on the field.
The second lineup is something I’d prefer to see but also fits within the scope of what Papi has tried this preseason, according to sources. There isn’t a ton of changes but some effective ones. Tiago would come in and take over for Angulo at left wing, which would provide Orlando will more attacking firepower on the left flank, something they didn’t get all last year. Angulo doesn’t completely leave the field though. The natural winger would shift back to right back, a position he has played a bit of this preseason. It gives Orlando speed on the defensive flank and someone who will look to fight for every ball that comes in his area. Without a more natural right back on the roster, that isn’t a younger player, Angulo would get the call.
The third and final lineup suggestion comes on the back of rumors we have heard from this preseason. According to multiple sources, the team has been testing a three center back set that looks very much like the graphic above. Brekalo, Cartagena, and Iago make up the back three. Miller could also slide in there if they want Cartagena further up the field or if they need to give Iago more time to bed in. The central midfielders are B. Ojeda and Atuesta who are asked to play box-to-box roles for the team. If the team would rather have Cartagena with one of B. Ojeda/Atuesta, Cartagena would stay a bit back as the “6” and then the other would play a box-to-box role. Your two midfielders would be Tyrese Spicer on the left (who has played a wing back role before with Toronto FC) and Ivan Angulo on the right (who has been playing right back during camp). The forward line becomes Tincho on the left who cuts in and drops right underneath McGuire and Pašalić who will cut in and play towards the net.
For perspective, the lineup above, is what Orlando City rolled out against FC Cincinnati in their preseason scrimmage on Wednesday. This may be closer to what the lineup could be with maybe a sub at goalkeeper if Crépeau is healthy. It’ll be a good comparison when we see the lineup come out!
Let’s See the Young Kids
The preseason is a time for testing formations, adjusting tactics, and trying out new players. So with a team that has gotten considerably younger this offseason, we have to expect that Papi is going to find time to test them out and see what they’ve got. Unfortunately, it hasn’t been as much time as fans would like to think. Reports have said that Papi has preferred to play the usual suspects for much of the preseason in lieu of running out some of the younger guys. Thankfully, players like Tiago, Taifi, Guske, Miller, Caraballo etc. have been pressed into service just based on pure need as well as what’s on the roster. But outside of that, the young guys haven’t gotten many chances to really shine. OCB did line up some scrimmages of their own which has allowed the fringe first team players an opportunity to play extra minutes with that squad, against different opponents.
Saturday could be a really good day to give them a proper run out. We fully expect Oscar to start what should be his XI for the season opener but after the initial 45-60 minutes, do we really need to see the starters? To me, this sounds like a perfect opportunity to let the young Lions run out to the field and show the season ticket members (and guests) what they are all about. Many fans are worried about what these new players have to offer, with many more never seeing them play. This would help squash some of the fear in the fan base while also giving the young guys an opportunity to grow into the season before it starts. I expect there will be some substitutions throughout the scrimmage but I hope they are early enough and include the young talent.
Connect with the Season Ticket Members (and guests)
The club has decided to only open one of their preseason matches to the public, which angered a lot of fans and rightfully so. The excuses of “we need to work without prying eyes” or “we want to keep our tactics a secret” are poor excuses at that and assume that this fan base can’t understand what the preseason is used for, which in itself, is a slap in the face. The fans just want to see their team and for those fans who are paying the most, they deserve to see their team. But while the match will get underway around 7pm, the club should use pre-game, halftime, and post-game as an opportunity to connect with the fans. Put on little events that show the club appreciates its season ticket members and shows off all the great improvements to the stadium in the offseason. If it were me,
- I would provide tours to season ticket members’ seats so they can get a feel of the matchday. Especially for new members or members who have moved their seats in the offseason
- Give tastings or show off the new food offerings that are around the stadium. Fans who have been able to go to the stadium this offseason have said that there appears to be new offerings compared to last year, so get fans connected.
- For players who aren’t playing in the match, do meet and greets with photo opportunities for the fans. Let them talk to some of the guys and get excited about seeing them on the field.
- During halftime, bring out Ricardo Moreira and Jarrod Dillon. Have them talk about the upcoming season, stadium improvements, and other things to expect from the team.
- Finally, really show off the new Sunken Treasure kit and all the merchandise with it. People love a new kit and a new design for the upcoming season so plaster it everywhere, open up a ton of merchandise locations, and really get fans into the new design.
So with all that, what do you want to see? All I can say is I’m excited to be back in the stadium and see the boys compete one time before the games count for real. Hope to see you all out there!
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