MLS Orlando City SC

Storylines: City vs. Sporting KC

Published on September 22, 2020 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Orlando City SC News Release


A Season-High

The Lions scored a season-best four goals on Saturday against the Chicago Fire, with Chris Mueller, Nani, Júnior Urso and Benji Michel each finding the back of the net on the night. Six different members of the squad notched a goal contribution, with Mauricio Pereyra and Andrés Perea rounding out the list, registering assists in the match to lock up the three-goal victory for the Lions at home. The Lions currently lead the Eastern Conference with 23 goals scored in regular-season play.

Stairway to Seven

With a result on Wednesday, the Lions will break a Club-record with their seventh-consecutive result, posting a 4-0-2 record in their last six matches. The previous record was set at the beginning of the 2018 season, when the Lions rattled off six-consecutive wins from March 31 to May 6. Throughout the current stretch, City has posted a +8 goal-differential and has yet to concede multiple times in a single match.

Cashing In

Chris Mueller continued his impressive form on Saturday, netting a goal and adding an assist to extend his team lead in both categories to seven and five respectively. Sitting at 12 total goal contributions, the 2018 MLS SuperDraft selection is tied for the most in Major League Soccer along with LAFC forward Diego Rossi, Columbus Crew SC forward Gyasi Zardes and Toronto FC midfielder Alejandro Pozuelo.

El Pulpo

Goalkeeper Pedro Gallese once more proved how fitting his nickname is on Saturday night, with a punching stop of Álvaro Medrán's penalty attempt in the 36th minute of play. This marked the first time a City goalkeeper has denied a penalty in MLS regular-season play since Adam Grinwis did the same on October 28, 2018, denying RBNY's Derrick Etienne from the spot. Despite registering just two saves in the match, Gallese came up big once more for the Lions in the 54th, denying Medrán again with a punching effort to maintain City's one-goal lead at the time.

Against the Opposition

In its last match against Wednesday's opposition, City earned a 1-0 shutout victory over Sporting Kansas City on August 14, 2019 at Exploria Stadium. Tesho Akindele scored the eventual game-winner for the Lions in the 21st minute of play as the Club registered its seventh shutout of the year to tie a Club record set previously in both the 2015 and 2017 MLS seasons.

El Capitán

City captain Luis Nani registered multiple goal contributions on Saturday, finding the back of the net in what served as the eventual game-winner in the 24th minute before earning the assist on Benji Michel's second half stoppage time finish. Nani trails only forward Chris Mueller in goal contributions in the regular season, with seven to his credit.

Milestone Tracker

Nani (13) is one assist shy of tying former Lion Yoshi Yotún for third in Club history.

Daryl Dike is one goal shy of passing teammate Chris Mueller (3) for second in Club history in goals scored by a Lions' MLS SuperDraft selection in their debut season.

Nani is one appearance away from 40 for City.

Robin Jansson is one appearance away from 40 for City.

Benji Michel is one appearance away from 30 for City.

Chris Mueller is two appearances away from 75 for the Lions and two starts away from 50 in his young MLS career.

Check out the Orlando City SC Statistics



Major League Soccer Stories from September 22, 2020


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