Sports stats



MLS Orlando City SC

Storylines: City vs. Toronto FC

May 21, 2021 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Orlando City SC News Release


The First for Mauro

Mauricio Pereyra's first goal of the 2021 campaign served as the game-winner for the Lions last Saturday at Audi Field, his fourth across all competitions in purple and the second to decide a match for the Club. In total, Pereyra has contributed to 16 finishes since joining the Club with the Lions holding a 10-1-6 in regular-season action since the start of the 2020 season with their No. 10 in the starting lineup as opposed to a 3-3-5 record when he is not.

Continuing the Streak

With the victory on Saturday night against D.C. United, the Lions set a new Club-record for consecutive results to start an MLS campaign, now sitting at five matches unbeaten in 2021, besting the previous mark of four set in 2016. City remains one of three teams in the league yet to drop a result this season along with Nashville SC and the Seattle Sounders.

Sharing a Home

Saturday's match will feature two sides that have called Exploria Stadium home to start the 2021 MLS regular season, as Toronto FC has utilized the venue for its home matches due to local guidelines in Canada. Neither side has lost at the Lions' downtown stadium in the calendar year, as City currently holds a 1-0-2 record in The City Beautiful this season while Toronto has earned both a win and a draw at Exploria through two fixtures.

The Front Man

Forward Tesho Akindele recorded his second goal contribution of the campaign on Saturday night, earning his first assist of the year on Mauricio Pereyra's finish in the seventh minute. Akindele has been involved in both game-winners for the Lions' this year, with his goal against FC Cincinnati just 31 seconds into the match, serving as the eventual decider for the match on May 1 at Exploria Stadium.

A Defensive Stronghold

The Lions' defense put on another impressive showing on Saturday night in D.C., with Pedro Gallese having to register just one save to earn his third clean sheet of the year to match his total from the 2020 regular-season. Antonio Carlos earned MLS Team of the Week honors, his first since coming to the league, tallying 13 clearances, three interceptions, and two blocks. The 13 clearances was the most by an Orlando City player in any match so far this season. At right back, Kyle Smith led the side with seven tackles, 12 ball recoveries, 12 duels won (out of a total 18 contested), 79 touches, and two successful crosses.

Long Time No Face

Toronto serves as the third Eastern Conference side that the Lions did not face throughout the 2020 MLS campaign, with FC Cincinnati and D.C. United comprising the other two. Both of City's victories this season have come against those two sides, with a +4 goal differential through two competitions. The last time the Lions faced the Reds resulted in a 1-1 draw at BMO Field, with Benji Michel accounting for City's finish in the match.

Milestone Tracker

Nani's next goal will tie him with Kaká for second in club history in all competitions (25).

Pedro Gallese's next clean sheet will be his 8th, which would tie him with Brian Rowe for second in club history.

Chris Mueller's next goal will be his 20th for Orlando City in all competitions and his 19th in the MLS regular season.

Tesho Akindele is two goals away from 40 in MLS regular-season play. He has scored 14 goals for Orlando City and 24 for FC Dallas.

Kyle Smith's next appearance will be his 45th for Orlando City in the regular season. It will be his 30th start should he begin the game.

Check out the Orlando City SC Statistics



Major League Soccer Stories from May 21, 2021


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