{"id":430126,"date":"2026-10-17T02:46:11","date_gmt":"2026-10-17T02:46:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/430126\/"},"modified":"2026-10-17T02:46:11","modified_gmt":"2026-10-17T02:46:11","slug":"orlando-city-d-c-united-enter-crunch-time-in-eastern-race-field-level-media-professional-sports-content-solutions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/430126\/","title":{"rendered":"Orlando City, D.C. United enter crunch time in Eastern race – Field Level Media – Professional sports content solutions"},"content":{"rendered":"

The scramble is on for playoff berths in Major League Soccer\u2019s Eastern Conference.<\/p>\n

Seven teams are in a logjam between seventh and 13th place, separated by just six points as they battle for the bottom three postseason slots in the East.<\/p>\n

Two of the clubs meet on Saturday when Orlando City take on visiting D.C. United.<\/p>\n

With a win, seventh-place Orlando (11-13-5, 38 points) can take a giant step toward qualifying. Meanwhile, there is more urgency for D.C. (7-9-12, 33 points), which sits three points shy of the playoff cut line.<\/p>\n

D.C. United got a much-needed win on Wednesday, topping the New York Red Bulls, 2-1. It was just the second win for D.C. in its last 11 matches and ended its five-game home winless streak against New York.<\/p>\n

Tai Baribo scored his 15th goal and notched his first assist of the season, but the night belonged to 16-year-old midfielder Oscar Avilez, who had a remarkable performance in his MLS debut.<\/p>\n

\u201cExpectations weren\u2019t so high, but he did really well,\u201d D.C. coach Rene Weiler said. \u201cHe was involved in both goals. He defended well. For me, great first performance.\u201d<\/p>\n

With six matches left, all against teams in the playoff scramble, D.C. United will have a lot to say about which teams reach the postseason.<\/p>\n

Saturday presents a challenge as Orlando City enter on a four-game home winning streak behind Martin Ojeda (14 goals, three assists) and Antoine Griezmann (10 goals, six assists).<\/p>\n

In the last eight matches in which Griezmann has played, the Lions have gone 5-1-2 with the 35-year-old Frenchman scoring nine goals.<\/p>\n

On Saturday, the Lions will be without Tyrese Spicer (six goals, two assists), who has undergone foot surgery, and could be without Justin Ellis (team-high 10 assists), who was sidelined by an illness on Wednesday as Orlando played to a 3-3 draw at Toronto FC.<\/p>\n

Orlando, which has surrendered more goals (69) than any team in the East, will get a boost on defense from the expected return of Marco Pasalic, who missed the Toronto match because of yellow-card accumulation.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think at the end of the day, we concede goals that cost us too much and force mistakes,\u201d interim coach Martin Perelman said. \u201cMaybe we need to improve there.\u201d<\/p>\n

D.C. and FC Cincinnati have played one fewer game than the rest of the teams in the Eastern Conference, but they have a rescheduled match against one another on Oct. 21 to get back on track. <\/p>\n

-Field Level Media<\/p>\n

\u2013Field Level Media<\/p>\n

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