Orlando City SC Goal Differential simply calculates success | OneFootball

The simplest of calculations mean the most to Orlando City SC. As the players and coaches maneuver to win the league, Goal Differential suggests positive results.

Orlando City SC started off the 2025 MLS season producing on offense. Where the club ran into trouble was in defense which, in some matches, allowed the opponents to equal their scoring.

But now, the Lions have already worked themselves just above the sweet spot in the MLS Eastern Conference playoff lines. They’ve also achieved a positive Goal Differential just six matches into the new season. This is the number simply calculated by subtracting Goals Against from Goals For.

Six matches into the season, Orlando has 15 goals, suffered 12, making a differential of three.

As late as June 30 of the 2024 season, supporters who check Goal Differential numbers were still lamenting a negative number for Orlando. The players have already fixed that problem this season.

Feb 22, 2025; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando City midfielder Eduard Atuesta (20) and Philadelphia Union forward Mikael Uhre (7) battle for the ball in the second half at Inter&Co Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images | Mike Watters-Imagn Images

Midfielder Eduard Atuesta has an idea of how the Lions have gotten positive results earlier this season than last. While he was speaking specifically of their West Coast win against the LA Galaxy, his views apply to their Goal Differential as well.

He said the players understand how to work the game and play intelligently. They know when to create chances and when to attempt to cash in on them. With the game drawn in the 90th minute, Atuesta saw a chance to score. His chance resulted in a penalty shot attempt to be taken by Luis Muriel.

That was the winning goal. The Lions then combined according to their defensive drills for the remaining stoppage time. They left the pitch with a third goal in their Goal Differential of three after six matches.

Head Coach Oscar Pareja said of his 200th game coaching the Lions that he knew the players believed they could win. That belief survived a tough first half with the home team, the MLS Champion LA Galaxy, leading 1-0.

Their belief comes from intelligent play and tough, focused training. Orlando City SC can simply calculate that using the Goal Differential.