
Orlando City Returns Home to Face D.C. United
October 1, 2021 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Orlando City SC News Release
ORLANDO, Fla. - Orlando City SC (10-8-9, 39 points) returns to downtown Orlando on Saturday, Oct. 2, set to take on D.C. United (12-11-4, 40 points) in a 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff at Exploria Stadium. Tickets for Saturday's match are available here or by calling (855) ORL-CITY.
Saturday's match, presented by Walt Disney World, will be broadcast locally on FOX35 PLUS and available to stream on LionNation TV with coverage set to begin at 7 p.m. ET. The fixture will also be transmitted on Real Radio 104.1 in English and Acción 97.9FM, 810AM in Spanish.
"The expectations are always the same, trying to add three points that we're looking for and that we need. We already know enough of this rival in [D.C. United] and they know us as well," Head Coach Oscar Pareja said ahead of the match. "I think the opportunity now to be in front of our fans is fantastic too after this long period of going away. We're very optimistic."
The Lions will look to make it back-to-back victories over the Black and Red in 2021 on Saturday, having taken a 1-0 shutout win at Audi Field on May 16. Mauricio Pereyra scored the eventual game-winner in that fixture, with goalkeeper Pedro Gallese having to register just one save to preserve the clean sheet.
City enters the weekend after taking a road point from Nashville SC on Wednesday, overcoming a two-goal deficit to force the two sides to split the points on the evening. Daryl Dike converted from the penalty spot in the 76th minute to halve the deficit before a stoppage-time own goal from Brian Anunga served as the eventual equalizer on the night.
Nani leads the Lions with nine goals this season, followed by Dike with five. Mauricio Pereyra holds the team-high in assists, with 10 in total in the 2021 campaign.
D.C. comes into Saturday's match following a 3-1 victory at home on Wednesday over Minnesota United. Goals from Ola Kamara, Julian Gressel and Júnior Moreno led the Black and Red over the Loons en route to the side's 12th victory of 2021.
Kamara leads the league with 17 goals this season, while Gressel sits tied for second in MLS with 11 assists on the year.
Following Saturday's match, the Lions will enjoy a week off from match play before returning to action with a road trip to FC Cincinnati on Saturday, Oct. 16 at West End Stadium.
Major League Soccer Stories from October 1, 2021
- Minnesota United FC at FC Dallas Preview - Minnesota United FC
- CF Montréal Hosts Atlanta United FC Saturday at Stade Saputo - Club de Foot Montreal
- Reigning MLS Defender of the Year and 2021 MLS All-Star Walker Zimmerman Called up for World Cup Qualifying Matches - Nashville SC
- Christian Makoun Called up by Venezuela for FIFA World Cup QualifiersÃâà- Inter Miami CF
- Žan Kolmanič Named to Slovenian Men's National Team Roster for FIFA World Cup Qualifiers - Austin FC
- Timbers Midfielder Blake Bodily Loaned to San Diego Loyal - Portland Timbers
- Kaye, Mayaka Called up for World Cup Qualifiers - Colorado Rapids
- Second-Place Sporting to Host Houston on Sunday - Sporting Kansas City
- Bryan Acosta Called into National Team Duty for World Cup Qualifiers - FC Dallas
- MLS Disciplinary Committee Decisions Announced - MLS
- Four Loons Called up to International Duty - Minnesota United FC
- Red Bulls Travel to Ohio to Face FC Cincinnati - New York Red Bulls
- Tajon Buchanan Called in to Canada Men's National Team for October's World Cup Qualifiers - New England Revolution
- Match Preview: Atlanta United vs. CF Montreal - Atlanta United FC
- Charlotte FC Scout Ryan Johnson: "We're Putting in the Hours Every DayâÃâ¬Ã - Charlotte FC
- Orlando City Returns Home to Face D.C. United - Orlando City SC
- Four CF Montréal Players Called up by Canadian National Team - Club de Foot Montreal
- Kickoff Time Adjusted to Rapids' October 10 Match at Minnesota United - Colorado Rapids
- Kickoff for MNUFC vs Colorado Match Changed to 3:00 PM CT - Minnesota United FC
- Inter Miami CF Announces EA SPORTS™ÃâàFIFA 22 Initiatives - Inter Miami CF
- NWSL Announces Update Regarding this Weekend's Matches - Orlando City SC
- Mustafa Kizza Called up by Ugandan National Team - Club de Foot Montreal
- Real Salt Lake Makes First-Ever Trip to Austin FC - Real Salt Lake
- Gadi Kinda to Join Israel National Team - Sporting Kansas City
- Keys to the Match: Settle the ScoreÃâà- New York City FC
- CF Montréal Signs Loux11 as FIFA Esports Player Presented by BMO - Club de Foot Montreal
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
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