Storylines: Keeping the Streak Alive
September 17, 2020 - Major League Soccer (MLS) - Orlando City SC News Release
A Club Milestone
Orlando City forward Chris Mueller registered his 10th goal contribution of the season on Saturday, earning the assist on Mauricio Pereyra's 69th-minute game-winner. With the assist, Mueller took sole possession of second in Club history with the 15th assist of his young MLS career, passing former Lion Yoshi Yotún. Mueller's 10 goal contributions is a team-high this year, with rookie forward Daryl Dike holding the next highest mark at six.
A Pivotal Performance
Mauricio Pereyra played a key role in both goals for the Lions last week against Inter Miami CF, his dangerous free kick forcing the own goal from defender Andrés Reyes in the 34th minute before bagging one of his own for the game-winner in the 69th. The goal served as Pereyra's second of the regular-season and his first GWG since joining the Club midway through the 2019 season.
Let's Keep it Going
With a win on Saturday, the Lions extended their unbeaten run to five matches in MLS regular-season play, having earned a result in eight of nine contests since returning to the field on July 8 at the MLS is Back Tournament. Five matches unbeaten is the longest stretch for the Lions since setting a Club-record with six-consecutive wins at the beginning of the 2018 season. In this current stretch, City has boasted a +5 goal differential, while six different players have found the back of the net.
Next Man Up
Head Coach Oscar Pareja made four changes to his starting lineup on Saturday night from the Lions' last match, with Kyle Smith and Rodrigo Schlegel starting at the back while Júnior Urso and Luis Nani reentered the fold for City. Pareja has yet to utilize the same starting XI in back-to-back matches since the conclusion of the MLS is Back Tournament, opting to make at least two changes in each of City's Phase 1 matches.
Into the Mix
Defender Alex De John and midfielder Joey DeZart each made their first appearances of the 2020 regular season on Saturday night against Miami, the former entering the match in the 84th minute and the latter in the 92nd. The minutes served as the first for De John across all competitions this season, while DeZart saw the first MLS regular season minutes of his professional career after making his City debut in the Round of 16 at the MLS is Back Tournament on July 25 against the Montreal Impact.
Milestone Tracker
Nani (12) is one assist shy of tying former Lion Carlos Rivas for fourth 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.
Kyle Smith is one appearance away from 30 for City.
Nani is two appearances away from 40 for City.
Benji Michel is two appearances away from 30 for City.
• Discuss this story on the Major League Soccer message board...
Major League Soccer Stories from September 17, 2020
- Climbing the Ranks: How Tah Brian Anunga Gave Nashville SC Midfield a Boost in First MLS Season - Nashville SC
- LA Galaxy vs Colorado Rapids: Keys to the Match: September 19, 2020 - Colorado Rapids
- Storylines: Keeping the Streak Alive - Orlando City SC
- Red Bulls Welcome FC Cincinnati Back to Red Bull Arena - New York Red Bulls
- Inter Miami to Visit Atlanta United FC on Saturday - Inter Miami CF
- Nashville SC Trades Adrian Zendejas to Minnesota United FC - Nashville SC
- MNUFC Acquire Goalkeeper Adrian Zendejas from Nashville Sc - Minnesota United FC
- Sounders FC Signs Defender Brad Smith - Seattle Sounders FC
- Major League Soccer, Black Players for Change and MLS Players Association Team up to Launch MLS Unites to Vote - MLS
- AMB Sports and Entertainment Partners with When We All Vote and Wondaland for Fuel the Vote and Wondalunch Event September 26 - Atlanta United FC
- New York City FC Announces Youth-Led Voting Campaign - New York City FC
- Vako, Earthquakes Draw Portland Timbers - San Jose Earthquakes
- Timbers Record 1-1 Draw on the Road against San Jose Earthquakes - Portland Timbers
- Quioto's Goal Not Enough for Impact - Montreal Impact
- 'Caps finish homestand on winning note behind strong team effort - Vancouver Whitecaps FC
- FC Dallas Hammers the Colorado Rapids 4-1 at Toyota Stadium - FC Dallas
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.
