As Orlando City prepares for their final four matches of the regular season, they find themselves in an Eastern Conference playoff battle. The Montreal Impact, D.C. United, the New England Revolution, and Orlando City are all within four points of each other, but only two currently sit in the playoffs. Despite a disappointing loss this weekend against D.C. United, Head Coach Jason Kreis still believes that his team can bounce back and claim one of those final slots.
“We met with the team yesterday to express that there is still a lot to play for here,” Kreis said after training yesterday. “Obviously it was a massive, massive disappointment that we didn’t get at least a point in D.C. But I still feel like the way the end of the season is scheduled, with the opponents that are playing each other and that we still have to play, I still think that the opportunity is here for us.”
Orlando City will play their next match against Toronto FC: an admittedly difficult away match. Toronto FC comes into the match with 48 points, just below first place in the Eastern Conference. But like any team, Toronto has their weaknesses; weaknesses that Kreis is hoping the team can use to their advantage.
“We come here with a massive challenge in front of us, but still a team I think we can beat,” Kreis said. “I thought that we played very well against them a month or so ago at home. In many ways, I thought we outplayed them but didn’t win the game. So we hope to do the same here and hope for a better result.”
Many of the teams in this tight playoff race will play each other throughout the rest of the season. Orlando City will face both Montreal and D.C. United at home before the season is over; the race is far from over.
“My outlook on the playoffs stays the same,” Kreis said. “I think it’s still possible, very, very possible with this group. And we inside the locker room and inside the coaching staff and inside the club believe.”
