MLS Orlando City SC

Orlando City Closes out 2020 Regular Season against Nashville SC

November 7, 2020 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Orlando City SC News Release


ORLANDO, Fla. - Orlando City SC (11-3-8, 41 points) will close out its 2020 Major League Soccer (MLS) regular season on Sunday, Nov. 8 with a matchup against Nashville SC (7-7-8, 29 points) at Exploria Stadium. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET for Decision Day 2020 presented by AT&T, with tickets for the match available here.

Sunday's fixture will be broadcast locally on Fox 35 Plus, while being transmitted on Real Radio 104.1 in English andAcción 97.9FM, 810AM in Spanish.

"Nashville has been a team very regular on the way they defend and they have a pair of very good central backs and in front of them Dax McCarty and [Aníbal] Godoy that do a very good job on sustaining the middle and trying to keep that solidness in their defensive phase," Head Coach Oscar Pareja said. "The message is just to continue with the same energy and the same motivation that we have to keep accumulating points that will put us in the best position after this weekend. Most importantly, just give them enough information about the rival and the preparation in order for us to go and compete against a very good team who has had a good season so far."

The Lions enter Sunday's regular-season finale sitting at third in the Eastern Conference, with a home playoff match secured for the 2020 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs after defeating Columbus Crew SC 2-1 at the midweek.

Chris Mueller opened the scoring in the 27th minute of that contest, but the Crew capitalized on a shorthanded City side in the 56th after the Lions were reduced to 10 men four minutes earlier when Nani was shown a red card. The difference would come in the 84th minute however, with Benji Michel scoring the game-winner to clinch a top-four finish for the side.

As previously announced, the red card that was issued to Nani was rescinded, making the Lions' captain available for selection for Sunday's match.

Mueller leads City with 10 goals this season, while Mauricio Pereyra leads the side in assists with eight on the year after recording two on Wednesday to spearhead the Lions attack. Mueller follows with six assists of his own this campaign.

Nashville enters Decision Day after falling 1-0 at home to FC Dallas on Wednesday. Ryan Hollingshead scored the eventual game-winner for the Toros in the 19th minute to take all three points from the match.

Daniel Rios leads the Music City-based side with four goals this season, followed by three others at three finishes apiece in Randall Leal, Hany Mukhtar and Walker Zimmerman. Leal sits tied for the team high in assists with Dax McCarty, each with four to their credit.

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