Orlando City SC was the only team that D. C. United was able to defeat twice in 2022. D. C. United won both of its matches against Orlando City SC last season. In eight MLS matches against the Lions since the start of the 2018 season, D.C. has a record of W5 D1 L2, equaling its most victories against any opponent during that time (5 in 11 games against the Crew).
On Saturday, D.C. United lost 2-0 at the Crew, following its 3-2 home victory over Toronto in the season opener. Since last season, D. C. United has scored and given up at least twice in each of its last three home games. This only happened once before, in July-August 1997, when it happened in four consecutive games.
After securing four points from two matches played at home, Orlando City will play on the road for the first time in MLS in 2023. Mateusz Klich created seven chances for teammates against the Crew on Saturday, equaling the most by a player in a match this MLS season and tying the most by a D.C. player since the beginning of 2020. The Lions lost their final four road games of 2022, including the playoffs, after only losing three of their first 14 road games last year (W5 D6). In May 2019, current manager Wayne Rooney was the last D. C. United player to make more chances in a game.
Orlando City SC has hit only two shots on track through two matches this season, remembering its punishment objective against the Red Bulls for matchday one. Even taking into account teams that have only played one match, Orlando’s non-penalty xG of 0.57 ranks among the lowest in MLS this season.
