MLS Orlando City SC

Benji Michel Scores Stunner in City's 1-1 Draw at Nashville

Published on September 3, 2020 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Orlando City SC News Release


NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Orlando City SC (4-2-3, 15 points) played to a 1-1 draw against Nashville SC (2-4-2, 8 points) on Wednesday night at Nissan Stadium in its first visit to the 2020 expansion side.

Benji Michel scored the lone goal for the Lions' in the match, ripping a shot off in the 17th minute for his first goal of the regular-season and his second across all competitions. Mauricio Pereyra earned the assist on that finish, his third of the season, all of which have come against Nashville after a two-assist performance at Exploria Stadium a week ago.

Head Coach Oscar Pareja:

"I said it in the bubble when we tied Philadelphia and I found a group with pain and a feeling that they could have done much more. At the end it's a good feeling because you recognize that your players are ambitious to come away and get three points and I think that they did play with that intention [today]. The first half was very good. The second half when we started in the first 10-15 minutes, I think they [Nashville] were more aggressive and got a couple chances in our third and they ended up scoring and that was the mistake that kept us from getting the three points today. But we'll take it. This is a long journey, I've said it many times and the boys are proud and they will keep going and prepare for the next one."

Scoring Recap:

17' Benji Michel (Mauricio Pereyra) - ORL 1, NSH 0

The Lions opened the scoring with Maurcio Pereyra playing a one-touch pass to Benji Michel, who bodied off his mark and stayed on his feet before ripping a ball from outside of the area into the left side netting for the finish.

47' Randall Leal (Hany Mukhtar) - ORL 1, NSH 1

The home side leveled things right after the halftime break after a ball from Hany Mukhtar found Randall Leal running in behind the City defense, who hit it past City goalkeeper Pedro Gallese for the equalizer.

Match Notes:

Benji Michel scored his first goal of the regular-season and his second across all competitions in the match, his first coming in the Semifinals of the MLS is Back Tournament against Minnesota United.

Mauricio Pereyra notched his third assist of the season, all of which have come against Nashville, on Michel's 17th-minute finish.

Kamal Miller and Robinho each made their first starts of the season in the match.

The match marked the Lions' first visit to Nashville in Club history. Next Match: City returns home for the remaining two matches of its Phase 1 Continuation of Play schedule, first hosting Atlanta United on Saturday Sept. 5 at Exploria Stadium before its first home match against Inter Miami CF a week later.

Teams 1 2 F

Nashville SC 0 1 1

Orlando City SC 1 0 1

Scoring Summary:

ORL - Benji Michel (Mauricio Pereyra) 17'

NSH - Randall Leal (Hany Mukhtar) 47'

Misconduct Summary:

None

Lineups/Substitutions:

Orlando City SC - GK Pedro Gallese; D Kamal Miller, Robin Jansson, Antonio Carlos, Ruan; M Robinho (Chris Mueller 53'), Júnior Urso, Uri Rosell (Andrés Perea 53') Mauricio Pereyra © (Sebastián Méndez 61'); F Daryl Dike (Tesho Akindele 54'), Benji Michel (Kyle Smith 73')

Substitutes Not Used: GK Brian Rowe; D Alex De John, Rodrigo Schlegel; M Joey DeZart

Nashville SC - GK Joe Willis; D Daniel Lovitz, Dave Romney, Walker Zimmerman, Alistair Johnston; M Aníbal Godoy, Dax McCarty ©, Alex Muyl (Abu Danladi 71'), Randall Leal (David Accam 72'), Hany Mukhtar (Brian Anunga 90'); F Dominique Badji (Daniel Ríos 64')

Substitutes Not Used: GK Elliot Panicco; D Jalil Anibaba, Eric Miller, Taylor Washington; M Derrick Jones

Details of the Game:

Time: 8:30 p.m. ET

Weather: Clear

Date: September 2, 2020

Stats:

Possession:

NSH - 41.6%

ORL - 58.4%

Shots:

NSH - 8

ORL - 7

Saves:

NSH - 2

ORL - 3

Fouls:

NSH - 17

ORL - 6

Corners:

NSH - 5

ORL - 10

Heineken Star of the Match: Benji Michel

Check out the Orlando City SC Statistics

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Major League Soccer Stories from September 3, 2020


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