
By the Numbers: the Opening Round of the 2020 MLS Cup Playoffs
November 17, 2020 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Orlando City SC News Release
5 - Matches without a loss
Orlando City's 12-game unbeaten run was the talk of MLS this fall, but the Lions have their own mini-streak going against playoff opponents New York City FC. Orlando has gone five straight games in all competitions without a loss against NYCFC, including the "Running of the Wall" game in the 2019 U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals. The Lions and Pigeons drew twice in the 2019 regular season, while Orlando took all three points in a bubble blowout in July and the teams split the spoils at Exploria last month.
5 (again) - It pays to have Cash
Chris Mueller has scored 19 times in an Orlando shirt in all competitions, and a staggering five of those goals have come against NYCFC, all in the last two years. Mueller scored against the Pigeons in the 2019 season opener, in regulation of the Running of the Wall game, and again in the regular season this year. His last two were perhaps his most famous, as Cash picked up a brace in the opening ten minutes of this year's bubble game to announce his 2020 breakout season.
8 - Nani knockout knowledge
Nani is one of the most experienced and successful players in MLS, and he's no stranger to knockout-style tournaments like the MLS Cup Playoffs. Nani has taken home 16 trophies in his career, and eight of them came in elimination set-ups, including his two most prestigious honors-the 2007/08 UEFA Champions League and the 2016 UEFA European Championship. The former went to a penalty shootout, where Nani coolly converted from the spot to help Manchester United sink Chelsea. Nani has also won three Portuguese Cups, one Portuguese League Cup, and two English League Cups.
2.18 - Formidable opposition
For all of Orlando City's recent success against NYCFC, they are up against a very formidable opponent on Saturday afternoon. The Pigeons got off to a terrible start under Ronny Deila, going 1-5-0 in their first six matches, but have since more than recovered, going 11-3-3 over their final 17 games to reach the 5 seed in the East. NYCFC has averaged a whopping 2.18 points per game in that run, which stretches back to August 24. The Pigeons have also won four straight games going into the postseason.
1.5 - FAIRWINDS Credit Union
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Major League Soccer Stories from November 17, 2020
- By the Numbers: Analyzing the Keys to Colorado's Success in 2020 - Colorado Rapids
- Baseball Hall of Famer and Seattle Icon Ken Griffey Jr. and Family Join Sounders FC Ownership Group - Seattle Sounders FC
- By the Numbers: the Opening Round of the 2020 MLS Cup Playoffs - Orlando City SC
- Inter Miami CF Set to Play First Playoff Match in Club History on Friday against Nashville SC - Inter Miami CF
- The Importance of the Captain: Nani, Lions Gear up for Postseason - Orlando City SC
- Inter Miami CF Honors 'Sholem Corazon Valiente' with MLS Community MVP Award Presented by Wells Fargo - Inter Miami CF
- Toronto FC Announce Academy Mentorship Program - Toronto FC
- Kelly Koeun Named Rapids' 2020 Community MVP Presented by Wells Fargo - Colorado Rapids
- Houston Dynamo Football Club and Houston Dash Unveil New Club Initiatives, Brand Identity and Primary Badges - Houston Dynamo FC
- Philadelphia Union's Jim Curtin Named 2020 Sigi Schmid MLS Coach of the Year - Philadelphia Union
- Philadelphia Union's Jim Curtin Named 2020 Sigi Schmid MLS Coach of the Year - MLS
- New England Revolution COVID-19 Update - New England Revolution
- Win Or Go Home: Audi 2020 MLS Cup Playoffs Kick off - This Week in MLS - MLS
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