Orlando City hasn’t had a clean sheet in its last seven matches. The Lions have conceded two or more goals in six of those matches. For all that’s been said about Orlando’s lack of scoring at times this season, the once elite defense has regressed. To clinch another playoff spot, that defensive strength needs to make a comeback.
For what it’s worth, injuries have been largely responsible for Orlando’s defensive struggles. Sebas Mendez missed significant time and he’s a lynchpin defensively. When the Lions are missing Mendez in the middle, some of their bite is missing and more of the defensive workload falls on the center backs.