Orlando City SC Searching for Answers Early in 2026 Season
Orlando City SC has experienced a less-than-ideal start to the 2026 MLS season. The Lions stumbled their way through the first seven games, logging five losses and only one win. A lack of consistency, plus a tough schedule, has plagued the team on the pitch.
Orlando (1-1-5) kicked off the season by dropping its home opener after a disorganized performance against a New York Red Bulls team that failed to make the playoffs last season. In a rivalry game against Inter Miami, the same issues appeared when the Lions lost to Lionel Messi and the Herons 4-2.
Following a shutout loss to NYCFC on March 7, Orlando City parted ways with longtime coach Óscar Pareja. The firing created an air of uncertainty around the team and its future.
Former assistant coach Martín Perelman has since replaced Pareja as interim head coach and pulled off a 2-1 win over CF Montréal in his first game at the helm. However, that win was followed by a 5-0 loss against the Eastern Conference leader, Nashville SC, and a 6-0 loss against the Western Conference leader, LAFC.
So what exactly is not clicking for this team?
Orlando’s squad is made up of young, inexperienced players that are trying to fill a hole made by the departure of several veteran players during the offseason. Players such as goalkeeper Pedro Gallese and homegrown right-back Alex Freeman were valuable assets who left the league.
Griffin Dorsey, Maxime Crépeau, Nolan Miller and Iago are some of the players that Orlando brought in to rebuild the team. However, the Lions have not found a rhythm yet, resulting in disorganized plays and inconsistency across the board.
The Lions have conceded 24 goals in seven games to lead the league. While concerning, it’s also expected for a team that is going through a rebuild process.
“I think if you’re going to rebuild the team, you’re going to have to do it in the offseason, not during the regular season,” WESH 2 sports reporter Mike Gramajo said. “This is the reason why we’re seeing the results and perhaps the performances that we’re seeing week in and week out so far.”
The lack of a permanent head coach may also be a reason for the results. Orlando City’s management has not hinted at whether it will look for a coach this season but has stated that the club remains focused on winning.
“Our focus is on consistently building a championship-caliber roster every year,” club owner Mark Wilf said during a press conference March 24.
Despite Orlando’s issues, its players do not seem disheartened, according to Gramajo — and there are several opportunities to bounce back.
The start of the U.S. Open Cup tournament this week may help Orlando gain some momentum and confidence if it can pull off a win over FC Naples, a USL League 1 team. A CONCACAF Champions Cup spot is at stake for the winners of the tournament, but Orlando will have to make it through the first few rounds.
The Lions will kick off their U.S. Open Cup run Wednesday at Paradise Coast Sports Complex at 7 p.m.
“It’s going to be an interesting few weeks for Orlando City, whether it’s Open Cup [or] MLS,” Gramajo said. “There’s still so much soccer to be played.”
In the MLS, Orlando has eight matches before the World Cup break and it sits at No. 13 in the Eastern Conference standings with only four points. After the break, French forward Antoine Griezmann will join the team at Inter & Co stadium. The World Cup winner is expected to help out the team offensively and help solve its goalscoring problem.
Gramajo said it will be interesting to see how the dynamic changes throughout the season, especially with the arrival of Griezmann.
“If they can turn it around before Griezmann gets here, then great,” he said. “If not, it’s going to be a long season until Griezmann gets here.”
Category: MLS, Orlando City SC, Soccer
