Four matches in the month of August will be critical as Orlando City make their push for MLS Playoff qualification. The Eastern Conference is tightly packed -- it has been all season long -- and one or two results in August could very well be the difference.
Orlando City will come up against an Eastern Conference opponent in each of its next three matches. The fourth and final match of August will see Orlando City at home against the Western Conference’s Vancouver Whitecaps.
Here’s what the upcoming month looks like for the Lions:
Saturday, August 5th, 7:30 p.m ET
@ Montreal Impact (24 points, 10th in East)
Stade Saputo, Montreal, Quebec
Montreal has been on the outside looking in as far as a playoff spot, but they still possess plenty of offensive talent. Orlando City drew the Impact 3-3 earlier this season in a rollercoaster affair that saw Jonathan Spector score his first goal for the Club in stoppage time to equalize.
Saturday, August 12th, 7:30 p.m. ET
@ NY Red Bulls (35 points, 4th in East)
Red Bull Arena, Harrison, NJ
This match will certainly have playoff implications for both teams. City were on the winning end of a 1-0 result in April against NYRB at Orlando City Stadium. If the Lions can complete the League double over the Red Bulls it will put them in a promising position to establish themselves in the top six.
Saturday, August 19th, 7:30 p.m. ET
vs. Columbus Crew (32 points, 6th in East)
Orlando City Stadium, Orlando, FL
Another match of massive importance to both teams. Two points currently separate these clubs in the Eastern Conference standings; a lot can happen in three weeks but chances are both teams will still be jockeying for playoff position come late August. Orlando City fell 2-0 on the road earlier this season against the Crew. The Lions will be keen to flip the script when they host Columbus at Orlando City Stadium on the 19th.
Saturday, August 26th, 7:30 p.m. ET
vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC (30 points, 6th in West)
Orlando City Stadium, Orlando, FL
Orlando City will close out the month of August in front of its home fans against a Western Conference club also vying for playoff qualification. Vancouver has the exact same point total (30) as City, and they are currently above the playoff line out West.This will be the first meeting between Orlando City and Vancouver of the 2017 MLS season.
