SOCCER
Orlando Must Win to Escape Ninth Place on Decision Day
The Lions have a playoff berth, but Saturday’s result will decide whether they can avoid a road Wild Card match.
Orlando City must beat New England on Saturday to improve on ninth place in the Eastern Conference, the club said Thursday in its Decision Day update.
The Lions enter their final regular-season match with 43 points and a playoff berth secured. A draw or loss would leave them ninth and send them on the road for the Wild Card round.
A win would move Orlando to 46 points. To finish seventh and advance directly to the best-of-three opening round, the Lions also need Cincinnati to lose and Columbus to draw or lose. Winning while Columbus fails to win would lift Orlando at least to eighth, securing a home Wild Card match.
Orlando is winless in three matches. New England is competing with Inter Miami for second place.
Kickoff at Inter.co Stadium is scheduled for 4 p.m. EST Saturday.
