Orlando City SC has fired its third (permanent) head coach in five MLS seasons, with James O’Connor the latest to come and go in short order on Monday.
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O’Connor was hired to replace head coach no. 2, Jason Kreis, in July 2018. He last exactly one and a half season — 51 games — and compiled a record of 11W-13D-27L, including a 2W-3D-12L run to finish the 2018 season. The Lions, while in playoff contention, went winless in their final eight games in 2019, conceding 18 goals during the stretch run. Orlando finished the season 11th in the Eastern Conference, eight points off a playoff place.
“On behalf of Orlando City we want to thank James for all of his efforts during his coaching tenure at Orlando,” the club’s statement read. “We wish James the best of luck in the next phase of his coaching career.”
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Orlando City, yet to make a playoff appearance since joining MLS in 2015, will begin its search for a new coach immediately.