The game within the game: Three one-on-one player match-ups to watch in the Orlando City vs Charlotte FC playoff series

By Brian Maurer

Photo Courtesy of Cj Hellner

In every soccer game, there are key areas or situations on the pitch that makeup how the game was won or lost. The Orlando City versus Charlotte FC Round 1 series will be no different. If anything key situations will be amplified because they could play out continually for two or three games.

One overarching theme of this matchup will be that Orlando will look to maintain control of the game with possession and by pushing their fullbacks high to try and gain numerical advantages in the attacking third. Charlotte will aim to counter and control the game off-the-ball with compact positioning and timely pressing to create turnovers and hit with a quick counter.

Here are three key one-on-one matchups that could decide whether Orlando or Charlotte can implement their in-game strategies during this best-out-of-three series:

Facundo Torres vs Tim Ream

Right-winger Facundo Torres is Orlando City’s top goal contributor and he will be facing off against converted left-back Tim Ream in what could be one of the most pivotal one-on-one matchups in this series.

The last time Charlotte FC gave up a goal to a right-winger was to Torres when the club lost 2-0 in Orlando. Since that game, Dean Smith switched Ream to left-back and they haven’t allowed a goal contribution from a right-sided player.

Torres hasn’t scored in back-to-back matches but he had a goal contribution in six straight before that (6g/1a). He is a player who can be kept quiet but if he shows up things could get ugly fast. Ream will need to lock him down during this series.

César Araújo vs Brandt Bronico

Araújo will likely be tasked with trying to slow Bronico down and reduce his impact in the transition game. Bronico will likely be tasked with pressuring Araújo when he’s on the ball and helping Charlotte maintain their off-the-ball game control. 

Orlando will have a far larger portion of possession and will aim to control the game with the ball, Charlotte will look to dictate where Orlando has that possession. Araújo and Bronico will be key players in the midfield as their clubs try to implement these strategies. Who wins this battle in the middle could decide the outcome of this playoff series because they will both be extremely important to controlling the game and implementing their clubs’ style of play.

Rafael Santos vs Pep Biel

Biel has come in as the chance creator Charlotte has sorely needed. In eight starts since joining on loan, he is averaging 2.3 chances created per 90. This is a far higher average than any other regular starter for the Crown (Ashley Westwood is second on the team with 1.6 chances created per 90). 

He has a wide range of passes in his arsenal and has displayed the vision to set teammates up in transition moments to spring quick attacks. Biel will be key to Charlotte’s success again in transition moments during this series. 

Santos will be charged with slowing him down. The Brazilian is an aggressive left-back who likes to spend time in the attacking half creating chances, especially by putting in crosses into the box (Santos leads Orlando’s regular starters in crosses into the penalty area). One of the strategies that Orlando will likely implement to slow Biel down on the left is to try and release Santos into attacks which could push Biel back and force him into doing extra defending deep which would reduce his ability as an outlet in transition.