Oct 2, 2024; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando City forward Luis Muriel (9) carries the ball during the second half against the Philadelphia Union at Inter Milan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images Orlando City will try to maintain momentum for the playoffs when they visit FC Cincinnati on Saturday night.
The Orlando Magic (14-11-7, 49 points) have won nine of their last 12 games and surged to fourth place in the Eastern Conference standings. The Lions finally started the season with more offensive production from what many consider to be one of the deeper rosters in Major League Soccer (MLS).
The latest contributor to emerge is Luis Muriel, who has appeared primarily as a substitute in his first season in MLS. He came on at halftime of Wednesday's 2-1 home win over Philadelphia and assisted on two goals, his fourth and fifth in the past four games.
“I think the way he's adjusted to us and to the team has been a lot better,” Orlando coach Oscar Pareja said. “Every day, he's integrating with what we want. I'm very happy with him and I know the team values what he does and it represents our unity.”
Muriel now has five goals and seven assists, while Facundo Torres notched his team-leading MLS 14th goal in the win. It was Torres' 45th goal in all competitions, taking the Uruguayan past Cyle Larin into the top spot on Orlando's all-time scoring list.
Meanwhile, Cincinnati (17-10-5, 56 points) fell behind early in Wednesday's 3-2 win over New York City FC and failed to surpass Columbus for second place in the Eastern Conference.
Luciano Acosta scored his 13th goal of the season from the penalty spot, but a 69th-minute strike cut Cincinnati's deficit to six minutes before Santiago Rodriguez finished After a PK, the score difference was restored to 2 points. Corey Baird scored another goal for Cincy in second half injury time.
“We just weren't good enough,” Cincinnati head coach Pat Noonan said. “I don't just put this on the players. My message wasn't clear enough and demanding enough in the last two games to look better than it is now. So, we still have some work to do. “
Cincinnati can't finish any lower than third with two games left, but leapfrogging Columbus would mean home-field advantage if the two teams meet in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
–Scene-level media