Orlando City SC can win it all by leaving it all on the pitch | OneFootball

There’s a lot of experience in playoffs and championships among players on the Orlando City SC roster. Yet players keep stepping up this season for playoff firsts as the Lions head for the club’s first MLS Cup Championship match.

Nico Lodeiro was with the Seattle Sounders for several MLS Cups. Luis Muriel was in Europe for five UEFA Champions Leagues. Pedro Gallese, Robin Jansson, Rodrigo Schlegel, Facundo Torres, Kyle Smith, Cesar Araujo, and Wilder Cartagena were in Orlando’s 2022 U.S. Open matches.

So every one of them played matches that had to be won, or they would go home. And they won.

So you’d figure these squad members will just keep adding to that experience. Instead, some of them have found new achievements to gain.

Striker Ramiro Enrique scored his first goal of the MLS playoffs against Atlanta United, although it was his ninth of 2024.

In that same match, defender Robin Jansson became the first Orlando City player to appear in 200 matches across all competitions.

It was the first meeting between Orlando and Atlanta in the playoffs. As a result, Orlando advances to the Eastern Conference Semi-finals for the first time.

Nov 24, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando City forward Ramiro Enrique (7) celebrates a first half goal against Atlanta United in a 2024 MLS Cup conference semifinal match at Inter&Co Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images / Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

While the Lions now play in a universe of firsts – still finding more firsts and new achievements – the players report confidence and determination. This is a result of their drills and ability to focus. This preparation means they can balance their attack and defense.

Enrique describes the preparation as his intention to create chances and score every match. He’s also prepared to defend as hard as possible.

When everything works according to preparation, Enrique expects to run hard and leave everything on the pitch.