MLS Orlando City SC

By the Numbers: Nani's Return

Published on March 11, 2020 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Orlando City SC News Release


22 - Nani's record

Orlando City Designated Player Luis Nani joined the club to much fanfare in February 2019, and despite having already played six months of the European season in Portugal, the former Manchester United man lived up to the billing. Nani scored 12 goals and chipped in 10 assists in his debut season in purple, setting an Orlando City record with 22 goal contributions in a single season. Nani also became the first player in club history to lead the team in both goals and assists in the same campaign, as well as the first to record double digits in both stats. Nani is available for selection for the first time this season on Saturday against Chicago Fire FC.

10 - Mueller goals

Chris Mueller has been a fan favorite and a solid contributor since being drafted 6th overall by Orlando out of Wisconsin in 2018. Mueller's goal against Colorado on Saturday was the 10th of his career in all competitions to go along with 11 career assists. Mueller also scored off the bench against the Rapids for the second straight season.

50% - Fire returns

No team in MLS saw more turnover in the 2019-20 offseason than Chicago Fire FC. The club tweaked its name and changed owners, stadiums, logos, color schemes, and uniforms. They also turned over half their roster- 50% of the Fire's minutes played from 2019 did not return to the club in 2020. Most of that was made up by five players: Dax McCarty (who went to Nashville SC), Bastian Schweinsteiger (retirement), Aleksander Katai (LA Galaxy), Nicolas Gaitan (Lille), and Nemanja Nikolic (Fehérvár in Hungary).

3 - New Fire DPs

Chicago was one of only two teams in MLS to replace all three of its Designated Players this offseason (Cincinnati was the other). Chicago first signed Slovenian striker Robert Beric from Saint-Étienne of France's Ligue 1. Beric scored in Chicago's opener against Seattle Sounders. The Fire next moved for two Argentines, signing 19 year-old winger Ignacio Aliseda from Defensa y Justicia and defensive midfielder Gastón Giménez from Vélez Sarsfield. Giménez debuted to rave reviews last week against New England, while Aliseda made the bench last week but has yet to appear in a competitive match.

1.5 - FAIRWINDS Credit Union

Score up to 1.5% cash back and LionNation points when you use your FAIRWINDS Orlando City Visa® or Orlando Pride Visa® on game day purchases and everyday essentials. Apply today and get purple carded.

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Major League Soccer Stories from March 11, 2020


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