MLS is known for being a very exciting league to watch. Lots of goals, not a lot of defending, and a tendency for the spectacular to happen. This weekend’s fixture between Orlando City and FC Cincinnati exemplifies that perfectly. Two of the league’s worst defenses face off in a match that also features attacking stars Antoine Griezmann and Evander. This is going to be a fun one.
Match Details
Who: Orlando City vs. FC Cincinnati
What: MLS Regular Season
Where: Inter.co Stadium, Orlando, Florida
When: Saturday August 15, 7:30 PM ET / 4:30 PM PT
Watch: Apple TV
Griezmann Helping Turn Orlando’s Season Around
Antoine Griezmann was one of three huge stars to come stateside this summer, alongside Chicago Fire’s Robert Lewandowski and Inter Miami’s Casemiro. Unlike the others, Griezmann didn’t join a contender. Heading into the World Cup break, Orlando City were 12th in the East with the worst goal differential in the conference at -21. Their last game before the break was against this FC Cincinnati team, a game they lost 6-2.
Orlando will be much more confident this time around. After Griezmann’s arrival, they won their first two games by a combined 5-0. Those wins were over San Jose and Nashville, two of the best teams in MLS. Leagues Cup disrupted their momentum a little but they did beat Monterrey in the first round of matches with the French superstar getting on the scoresheet.
Griezmann has found the perfect strike partner in 19 year old Justin Ellis. The homegrown player broke into the first team in April and recorded five goal contributions in his first five starts. He also provided an assist in those wins over Earthquakes and Nashville after the break as well as adding a goal in Leagues Cup against Atlético San Luis. Ellis has a lot of Griezmann-like qualities in his game. He’s best as a second striker who is impossible to get off the ball and has an eye for the right pass in nearly every moment. Griezmann has been vocal in his praise of the youngster, saying that “he’ll be a player for a top European team one day.” Ellis is also the only Orlando City teammate Griezmann follows on Instagram. The duo will hope to combine for some goals this weekend against a shaky FC Cincinnati defense.
Evander Hitting MVP Form For FC Cincinnati
It’s hard to find the words to describe Evander da Silva Ferreira. The Brazilian midfielder has been one of the best players in MLS since joining Portland Timbers for the 2023 season and seems to reach a new level every year. He has registered at least one goal contribution in his last 12 games, including a goal in the MLS All-Star Game. Last time out against Atlas he hit 25 goal contributions on the season with a banger from outside the box.
All of this means Evander leads MLS in total goal contributions as well as assists, even ahead of Lionel Messi. He’s the focal point of the joint-highest scoring attack in the league. In that 6-2 win over Orlando right before the World Cup break, he scored twice and provided three assists. All of this to say, Evander will have a huge role to play if Cincinnati are going to beat Orlando again.
Things aren’t going as well on the other end of the pitch. FC Cincinnati’s defending has been a disaster this season. In fact, the only team that has conceded more goals than them in MLS is Orlando. USMNT center back Miles Robinson has been a huge disappointment ever since signing a big contract extension and the rest of the back line have failed to impress. However, they did just keep their first clean sheet in three months against Pumas in Leagues Cup. Another shutout isn’t likely against a revamped Orlando attack, but they’ll be hoping to build on that.
Match Prediction
One thing is guaranteed in this game and that is goals. Both teams will almost certainly get on the scoresheet, likely more than once. This will be a match for the neutral, an end to end affair almost similar to a basketball game. It’s a bold call after how the last meeting between the two sides went but I’m going to back Orlando to win at home.
Prediction: Orlando City 3-2 FC Cincinnati
Braden Hines is a writer and data analyst with a passion for U.S. Soccer. Runs American Ultras Talk on YouTube and X. Works for Carolina Ascent FC and Syracuse Men’s Soccer.
