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 Orlando City SC

Orlando City Hosts Eastern Conference Rival Toronto FC on Saturday

June 23, 2016 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Orlando City SC News Release


ORLANDO, Fla. - Following Saturday's emotional 2-2 draw with the San Jose Earthquakes, Orlando City SC (3-3-8, 17 points) hosts Eastern Conference foe Toronto FC (5-5-4, 19 points) on Saturday, June 25, at Camping World Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. E.T.

The match will be locally televised on WRDQ TV27 as well as transmitted on Real Radio 104.1 FM in English and on La Grande 1030 AM in Spanish.

"We're very confident that barring any overnight issues, [Kaká] will be available for selection on Saturday, which is good. Same with Darwin [Cerén], same with [Rafael Ramos]. It's been a good week," Lions Head Coach Adrian Heath said. "[Toronto striker Sebastian Giovinco] has been an incredible addition to the league. Unfortunately for the opposition, it's not so nice because at some stage, we're going to have to be really careful if and when he gets the ball around the final third."

Orlando City is coming off a 2-2 draw with the San Jose Earthquakes in a game dedicated to the victim's of the tragedy in Orlando on the weekend of June 12. Seb Hines opened the scoring in the second half before substitutes Carlos Rivas and Júlio Baptista combined for the Lions' fourth stoppage time goal of the season. It was City's 15th goal scored in the final 30 minutes this season and the ninth in the final 15 - the highest in MLS this season.

The draw extended Orlando City's home-unbeaten streak to 14 games, which is the longest active streak in MLS. Kevin Molino and Cyle Larin lead the Lions with six and seven goals, respectively, as well as three assists each.

Saturday's match features the face-off between Lions goalkeeper Joe Bendik and his former club. The Marietta, Ga., native registered 217 saves in 73 appearances over the the past three seasons for the Reds. Bendik has continued his outstanding form while starting every game for City this season, ranking fifth in MLS with 49 saves, being named to the MLS Team of the Week in one occasion and setting the Club's single-game record with 10 saves.

Toronto visits Camping World Stadium after a 1-0 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps on Tuesday in the first leg of the Canadian Championship Finals. Sebastian Giovinco scored in the 43rd minute to secure the win at home. The Reds look to secure their fifth Voyageurs Cup on June 29 in Vancouver.

In its last MLS match, Toronto defeated the LA Galaxy 1-0 following Drew Moor's diving header in the 78th minute. The goal was Toronto's first in three games and their 15th goal in 14 games this season. Reigning MLS MVP and Golden Boot winner Sebastian Giovinco leads TFC with eight goals and five assists and has played all but 70 minutes this season.

The Lions return to U.S. Open Cup play on Wednesday, June 29, to host the Fort Lauderdale Strikers for a round of 16 matchup. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET at Camping World Stadium.


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