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MLS Orlando City SC

Storylines: City vs. Colorado Rapids

March 6, 2020 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Orlando City SC News Release


First of Many

Saturday's season-opener featured four Lions making their Club debuts along with the beginning of the Oscar Pareja era in Orlando. Goalkeeper Pedro Gallese earned a clean sheet in his first match as a Lion, the second time in Club history that City has begun the season with a shutout. Teammates Antonio Carlos, Júnior Urso and Andrés Perea also made their Club debuts on Saturday, with Urso captaining the Lions on the night.

Where it All Began

The weekend trip to Colorado will see Lions' Head Coach Oscar Pareja return to the site of his first stop as a head coach in Major League Soccer, serving at the helm for the Rapids from 2012-13 before beginning his tenure at FC Dallas in 2014. In two seasons with the Rapids, Pareja led the Club to the playoffs in 2013, his first of five postseason appearances in his seven seasons as an MLS coach.

Against the Opposition

Through five previous matches against the Rapids, the Lions hold an unbeaten record of 4-0-1 throughout Club history. In their last match against Saturday's opposition, City battled to a 4-3 victory, overcoming two separate deficits and scoring twice in the final 10 minutes to take all three points from the match. Nani scored his first two goals as a Lion in that match, with Chris Mueller and Tesho Akindele accounting for City's two other finishes on the evening.

Let's Hit the Road

Saturday will serve as City's first road trip of the 2020 season and the first time the Club has faced a Western Conference opponent for its road opener since its inaugural season in 2015. That match resulted in a 1-0 victory over the Houston Dynamo at the then-named BBVA Compass Stadium, a win that served as the Club's first in its MLS history. Overall, the Lions hold a 2-2-1 record in their previous five road openers.

Last Time at Colorado

The last time the Lions traveled to Dick's Sporting Goods Park was on April 29, 2018 in a match that resulted in a 2-1 victory for the visitors. Former Lions Cristian Higuita and Yoshi Yotún scored in that match, part of a stretch of a Club-record six-consecutive victories that season. Colorado struck first in the 26th minute with a goal from Dominique Badji, but two second-half goals from Higuita and Yotún secured the victory for the Lions to maintain their unbeaten record against the Rapids throughout Club history.

Milestone Tracker

Forward Tesho Akindele is one appearance away from 30 as a Lion.

Defender Robin Jansson is one start away from 30 for City.

Forward Chris Mueller is two goals away from 10 in MLS.

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