NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, CFL stats



Orlando City SC

Storylines | City vs. Chicago Fire

March 7, 2019 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Orlando City SC News Release


Popping in Purple

A total of eight City players made their debut in purple against NYCFC on Saturday. Seven got the starting nod with goalkeeper Brian Rowe, defenders Alex De John, Kamal Miller, midfielders Danilo Acosta, Kyle Smith, Sebastián Méndez and forward Tesho Akindele. Midfielder Nani came off the bench in the 70th minute to make his Club debut. The newcomers certainly made an impact with the game-tying goal coming from the foot of Akindele, with Nani registering an assist on the play. Rowe totaled four saves on the afternoon to aid the Lions in earning a point on the afternoon.

Hit the Road

Saturday will mark City's first road contest of the season. In its road opener, the Lions are 2-2-0 in their five-year history. City won 1-0 in Houston in 2015 for its first-ever MLS victory as a Club. The following year, the Lions won by the same score at Yankee Stadium over NYCFC in their first road match of the season.

Welcome to Chi-Town

Orlando City holds a 2-2-1 record at SeatGeek Stadium, formerly Toyota Park, in its history. A win on Saturday would give the Lions their third at this facility, which would be their most in any MLS road venue. It would also mark the Lions' first win over the Fire since 2015. If the past is any indication of the future, fans on both sides are likely to be treated to goals. The two sides have averaged 2.9 goals per game in their 10 meetings all time.

Who's Your Captain?

Midfielder Sacha Kljestan sported the Captain's armband on Saturday for City. The active career assist leader in MLS, Kljestan is just one assist away from tying Cobi Jones for eighth in league history with 91. To date, Kljestan has played in 64 fewer contests than Jones with 242 career appearances to Jones's 306. On Saturday, Kljestan will be reunited with former RBNY teammate and Winter Park native Dax McCarty.

Save the Drama for Your Mama

Saturday marked the first time the Lions did not find the back of the net in stoppage time in its MLS opener in the Club's five-year history. City scored its two goals in the 59th minute off a free kick from Chris Mueller and in the 75th from the foot of Tesho Akindele. Four of City's seven goals in its MLS openers have come in stoppage time in the 91st (2015), 93rd (2018), 94th (2016) and 95th (2016) minutes respectively.

One Away...

Orlando City is one goal away from its 200th in the MLS era across all competitions.

The Lions are one win away from their 40th in MLS play in Club history.

Check out the Orlando City SC Statistics

• Discuss this story on the Major League Soccer message board...

Major League Soccer Stories from March 7, 2019


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.

OurSports Central