Orlando City edges San Diego FC in tight Eastern Conference playoff race

Orlando City hosted San Diego FC at Inter&Co Stadium in a Major League Soccer match with playoff implications as the 2026 season entered its final stretch. Orlando made one change from its previous match, with Bernardo Rhein returning from injury to start at fullback and Zakaria Taifi available as a substitute. The Lions entered ninth in the Eastern Conference after a mixed run of form, including a 3-3 draw with Minnesota United, while San Diego arrived after winning four of its previous five matches. San Diego’s attack was strengthened by the addition of veteran striker Cedric Bakambu, and the club lined up in a 4-3-3 formation against Orlando’s 4-4-2. The match was scheduled for streaming on Apple TV, MLS’s exclusive platform in 2026.