Oscar Pareja accepts better results are required to help lift the mood at Orlando City as they return to home soil against D.C. United.
The Lions have taken just four points from their opening four matches and are 11th in the Eastern Conference.
City’s only win came against Toronto FC in their most recent home game, which they followed up with defeat at New York City FC and a draw with the New York Red Bulls.
Speaking ahead of his side’s return to Inter & Co Stadium on Saturday, Pareja told reporters: “We have mixed feelings about the season.
“Results measure a lot and, coming from a tight game against Red Bull that that didn’t represent our efforts, it’s a task for us to get better.
“We have an important game at home. In general, I’m happy with how the team is gelling together, but we have to add results.
“That’s what makes us feel like we’re doing something good. It’s a long journey and we’ve only played four games.”
Leading the way pic.twitter.com/tmzjDAt4dR
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) March 21, 2025
D.C. United have made an unbeaten start to their 2025 campaign, albeit three of their four matches so far have finished all square.
The most recent of those was a stalemate at home to CF Montreal, which head coach Troy Lesesne wants to see an improvement on.
“We didn’t have the same type of aggression and pressing style that you usually see,” he said of the 0-0 draw with Montreal.
“And so that’s something that we never want in terms of the opponent to be comfortable. They were comfortable many, many times.
“This is something that will be addressed [against Orlando] because if we’re that way versus Orlando City, they can hurt you.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Orlando City – Duncan McGuire
McGuire has only played three minutes of football this season, coming last weekend, as he works his way back from shoulder surgery.
The 24-year-old may be thrown in for his first start given his record against D.C., having been involved in a goal in all four matches he has played against them.
Love a training sesh at @AudiField pic.twitter.com/2gOK28uzZg
— D.C. United (@dcunited) March 18, 2025
D.C. United – Christian Benteke
Benteke was a nuisance for Montreal’s defenders but ultimately could not continue his scoring streak, having netted in his first three outings before that.
The Belgian won eight more aerial duels last weekend and has now won 23 this season, which is the most of any player in MLS.
MATCH PREDICTION: ORLANDO CITY WIN
Orlando’s four points from four games is their joint-second-worst return at this stage of an MLS season, level with 2018 and behind last season, when they had one.
United are unbeaten in four matches for just the second time in the past 19 seasons – not since 2006 have they started with five unbeaten.
However, City won both matches against D.C. last season, scoring eight goals in the process, having won just two of the previous 10 regular-season games.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Orlando City – 60.8 %
Draw – 20.6%
D.C. United – 18.6%
