Orlando Faces Montreal In Battle for MLS Playoff Berth

By  //  October 2, 2015

ABOVE VIDEO: Comments from head coach Adrian Heath, midfielder Brek Shea and defender Rafael Ramos on the team’s home game against the Montreal Impact on Saturday, Oct. 3. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

ORLANDO, FLORIDA – Orlando City Soccer Club (10-13-8, 38 points) will face the Montreal Impact (12-11-6, 42 points) on Saturday, Oct. 3, in a contest that will feature two of Major League Soccer’s hottest teams – with both Clubs riding three-game winning streaks heading into the fixture. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET at the Orlando Citrus Bowl.

Tickets to the game are still available and can be purchased by visiting www.OrlandoCitySC.com or by calling 855-ORL-CITY. In addition, the match will be broadcast live on MY 65 and will be transmitted in English on Real Radio 104.1 FM and in Spanish on La Grande 1030 AM. The match will also air on tape delay on Sun Sports.

Adrian Heath
Adrian Heath

“We have a huge game this weekend against Montreal. If we were to win on Saturday and take it back to a point, it puts us in with a shout so I think it’s going to be a very big game for us,” said Head Coach Adrian Heath. “Drogba’s come in and really given them a lift. When I look at the atmosphere at Stade Saputo, it’s been incredible. But this will be at the Citrus Bowl and I’m really looking forward to it. As I’ve said before, whenever we’ve asked our supporters to turn up and really get behind us, they’ve never let us down.”

Saturday’s match will mark the third regular season meeting between Montreal and Orlando, as both teams continue to fight for the final Audi 2015 MLS Cup Playoff berth in the Eastern Conference with just one month remaining in the 2015 campaign.

The Lions are heading into the match-up against the Impact boasting the team’s longest winning streak in MLS, showcasing confident victories over 2015 U.S. Open Cup Champions Sporting Kansas City, the Chicago Fire and the New York Red Bulls most recently.

During last weekend’s 5-2 rout over New York – the only team in MLS to clinch a playoff berth thus far – Orlando striker Cyle Larin recorded his second hat-trick of the season to extend his tally to 14, surpassing Damani Ralph’s single season scoring record for a rookie (11).

VIDEO: Cyle Larin’s Rookie Record-Setting GoalsRelated Story:
VIDEO: Cyle Larin’s Rookie Record-Setting Goals

The three-goal performance also placed the Canadian in elite company, joining Designated Players Robbie Keane and Sebastian Giovinco as the only three players in MLS to record two hat-tricks this season.

Playmaker Kaká and Colombian midfielder Carlos Rivas were also highly instrumental throughout the game, as the Brazilian created three goals and Rivas’ super-sub performance led to two additional assists. Montreal comes into the game holding on to the final playoff position in the East with a four point advantage over the Lions and two games in hand.

Since scoring a hat-trick in his first start for the Impact during a 4-3 win over the Chicago Fire, forward Didier Drogba has helped guide Montreal to a six game unbeaten run – scoring seven goals in six games played.

However, Montreal has produced just two wins in 13 away games played this season. The Impact’s most recent road victory occurred in a 3-2 win over New York City FC at Yankee Stadium on Aug. 1. Creative midfielder Ignacio Piatti leads the team in goals with eight, while speedy striker Dominic Oduro is tied with Drogba with seven goals.

To purchase group or individual tickets, or for more information on the 2017 season ticket waitlist, visit www.OrlandoCitySC.com or call 855-ORL-CITY.