As a lifelong Orlando City basketball fan who’s followed the team through highs and lows, I’ve come to appreciate that not all games are created equal. Some matchups stick with you for years—the kind where the energy in the arena feels electric, where every possession matters, and where you walk away knowing you’ve witnessed something special. This season, the schedule is packed with opportunities for exactly those kinds of nights. I’ve gone through the calendar, weighed the rivalries, the storylines, and the playoff implications, and I’m thrilled to share my personal top 10 Orlando City games every fan should experience live. Trust me, you don’t want to miss these.
Let’s start with the home opener against Miami. There’s nothing quite like that first home game—the crowd is fresh, hopeful, and loud. Last season, I remember sitting in Section 108, watching our guys struggle early. Honestly, the shooting was rough. I mean, 22 percent from the field in the first half? It was painful to watch. But what stood out, and what Coach Epondulan emphasized later, was the defensive effort. He credited the team’s ability to stay afloat because of their stops and forced turnovers. That kind of gritty, never-say-die defense is what turns potential blowouts into nail-biters. This year, facing Miami’s high-powered offense right out of the gate will test our identity. If we can lock down defensively like we did in that second-half comeback last March, we’re setting the tone for the whole season. I expect a close, physical game, maybe decided by 5 points or fewer.
Then there’s the rematch against Boston in mid-December. I still get chills thinking about last year’s overtime thriller. We lost by three, but the atmosphere was unreal. This time, with both teams likely jockeying for playoff positioning, every possession will matter. I see this as a statement game—one where our defense has to contain their All-Star guard, who dropped 38 on us last time. If we can limit him to under 25 points, I like our chances. Personally, I think our bench depth gives us a slight edge, especially if we can get 12–15 points from our sixth man. Another game that stands out is the late-January clash with Chicago. It’s a midweek matchup, which sometimes means a quieter crowd, but don’t let that fool you. Chicago plays a slow, grind-it-out style, and if our shooting goes cold again—say, around 30–35 percent—our defense will have to carry us. That’s where players like Rodriguez, who averaged 2.1 steals per game last season, become invaluable. I’ve always believed defense travels well, and in a game like this, it might be the difference between a win and a loss.
I’m particularly excited about the February showdown with New York. It’s a Saturday night game, nationally televised, and the kind of stage where legends are made. I’ll be there with my family, and I’m hoping for a back-and-forth battle. If we can replicate that defensive intensity Coach Epondulan praised—the one that kept us in games even when our shots weren’t falling—we could pull off an upset. Statistically, we held opponents to under 42 percent shooting in 7 of our last 10 meetings with them. That’s a trend I hope continues. On the other hand, the West Coast trip in March includes a game against LA that I’m a bit nervous about. Their pace is frenetic, and if we come out flat, it could get ugly. But that’s what makes it a must-watch: high-risk, high-reward basketball. I’d estimate we’ll need at least 18 fast-break points to keep up.
One underrated pick is the April game against Detroit. It’s the final home game of the regular season, and depending on standings, it could have huge playoff implications. I love these pressure-cooker situations. Remember last year? We shot 22 percent in the first half but clawed back because our defense created 15 turnovers. That’s the kind of resilience that defines a team. This season, I’m looking for our young core to step up—maybe someone like Jenkins, who’s been improving his perimeter defense, makes a key stop in the fourth quarter. Offensively, if we can hit even 45 percent of our shots, I think we win by 8–10 points. But it’s the defensive stands that will have everyone on their feet.
As the season winds down, the game against Atlanta in early May could be a preview of the first playoff round. I have a good feeling about this one—maybe it’s the rivalry, maybe it’s the evening tip-off, but it’s always intense. Atlanta’s coach loves to run isolation plays, so our help defense needs to be sharp. If we can force them into 18–20 turnovers, we’ll control the tempo. Personally, I’d love to see us push the ball in transition more often; in last season’s matchups, we averaged only 9 fast-break points, which just isn’t enough against a team like that. Rounding out my list, the late-season battle with Phoenix is another highlight. They’ve got a dominant center, so our interior defense will be tested. I’m hoping we double-team him early and force their shooters to beat us from outside. If they shoot below 35 percent from three-point range, I like our odds.
In closing, this Orlando City season is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in recent memory. From home openers to playoff tune-ups, each game on this list offers something unique—whether it’s a defensive grind or an offensive showcase. As a fan, I live for these moments: the clutch stops, the unexpected heroes, and the shared energy in the arena. So mark your calendars, grab your tickets, and get ready to witness some unforgettable basketball. After all, it’s these experiences that bind us together as a community of fans, through every win and loss.