Orlando City FC vs Minnesota United 8/6/20 - MLS Picks & Predictions

On Thursday, Orlando City SC plays Minnesota United in one of the semifinals of the MLS is Back Tournament at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida. Orlando City's remarkable run in the tournament continued thanks to a penalty kick triumph over heavily favored LAFC in the quarterfinals. Manager Oscar Pareja has his players fully behind his philosophy in a very short time.

Pareja has created a cohesive frontline attack and a tightened up back line giving Orlando an opportunity to win each time they take the pitch. Orlando City posted two victories and one draw during the group stage then defeated Montreal 1-0 in the round of 16 before a 1-1 draw in regulation versus LAFC followed by a victory in a penalty shootout. Chris Mueller is leading Orlando City in goals scored with four.

Minnesota United has been the underdogs in nearly every match during the tournament including in each of the two fixtures of the knockout stage. Minnesota has taken early leads in both of their knockout stage victories against Columbus and San Jose. In the round of 16, United needed a penalty-kick shootout to defeat the Crew but in the quarter-final against the Earthquakes, the Loons cruiseed to a 4-1 victory.

The loss of top defender Ike Opara has not bothered Minnesota like many would have thought. Minnesota opened its play in the tournament with a 2-1 victory over Sporting Kansas City followed by a 0-0 draw with Real Salt Lake and a 2-2 draw with the Colorado Rapids that pushed the Loons through to the knockout stage. Kevin Molino is leading Minnesota in goals scored with three.