Orlando City hosts San Diego FC as playoff chase intensifies
May 23, 2026; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Orlando City SC midfielder Martin Ojeda (10) dribbles against FC Cincinnati in the first half at TQL Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images The first-ever match between San Diego FC and Orlando City comes at a crucial time as the teams jockey for position in their respective conferences.
They'll clash Saturday night in Orlando, when San Diego will play its first MLS match of the season in the eastern time zone.
Orlando City interim coach Martin Perelman said there could be an advantage if his club makes the best of the situation.
"For us, it's about preparing the game. That's for us. That's their problem, not ours," Perelman said of the travel. "So we take care of us, our plan, our team, and we prepare the game. Playing at home, we always want to win, even more at home. It's our house, it's our people, our family."
Orlando City (7-11-4, 25 points) went 1-2-2 in August.
San Diego (8-8-6, 30 points) had a strong August with a 3-1-1 record, including the past two games, when the club scored three goals in each outing.
Head coach Mikey Varas attributes San Diego's recent success to his players' determination.
"They are the ones who gut it out, they are the ones who are exhausted, so I give them 100% the full credit," he said.
San Diego, which has made a big jump since the spring, signed veteran forward Cedric Bakambu this week and acquired defender Sam Vines on loan from the Houston Dynamo.
"I think it's going to be a good match," Perelman said. "We respect and analyze all of our opponents. We did the same with San Diego."
For the Orlando team, it feels like progress with midfielder Martin Ojeda back in action. Saturday will mark his second match back after a 10-match absence due to a thigh injury.
"So now, the idea is to continue recovering well, to be 100%, so that I can be there with Martin, his coaching staff, and my teammates," Ojeda said.
The arrival of September matches means the urgency of being up to speed will increase.
"This is my second week training with the team, and little by little, I'm getting accustomed to it and getting back the rhythm I lost during a month," Ojeda said.
--Field Level Media
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