Youth training blazes path for Orlando City SC winning balance | OneFootball

As Orlando City SC continues the challenging season, the players will emphasize something they’ve drilled on since youth. That is balance.

Through the early 2025 season, Orlando City SC has sought to put equally effective offense and defense on the pitch. They got their first win against Toronto City FC 4-2 after losing in the MLS season opener to the Philadelphia Union 4-2.

So the look from the offense? Orlando City scored six goals in the first two games. But they gave up six goals. So the Goal Differential was zero in those two matches. That’s a good look for the offense. But not good for the defense.

Head Coach Oscar Pareja said at the conclusion of the Toronto match that drills would continue as the players worked not to concede goals.

The decision at the end of the second New York Red Bulls match this season was 0-0. That marked the second consecutive 0-0 draw and Pedro Gallese’s 50th clean sheet across all competitions. But the defense, as solid as it could be and effective in disrupting opponents.

The Red Bulls got only one shot on target during the entire match. That shot on goal came only after a red card put the Lions down a player.

Apr 12, 2025; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando City defender Robin Jansson (6) controls the ball against the New York Red Bulls in the first half at Inter&Co Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images | Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Going back to when Orlando City players were in youth soccer, they drilled on the balance between offense and defense. Recklessly driving toward the opponent’s goal won’t win matches. Neither will parking the bus and shutting down anyone’s opportunity to create chances and score.

Orlando proved at the beginning of this 2025 season that they know how to commit players forward to attack. But over-committing the players would lead to conceding goals if they fail to transition when the opponents take possession of the ball.

The two consecutive 0-0 draws prove that Orlando knows how to commit players to meet an attack. They know how to disrupt opponents such as the Red Bulls as they attempt an effective transition to their offense.

But over committing players on defense results in parking the bus, or something like it.

So Orlando City SC needs to drill on effective transition from offense to defense, and then back to offense. This includes the development of trust in the Lions' backline as well as the defensive midfielders who work between the defenders and forwards.

That trust will develop into effective transitions and wins against the tough teams in Orlando’s future in MLS and the U.S. Open Cup.