Orlando City (7-4-5, 26 points) at New England Revolution (8-3-6, 30 points)
When:Â Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
Where:Â Gillette Stadium, Foxboro, Mass.
Radio: 96.9 The Game (English), Acción 97.9 FM (Spanish)
First TimerÂ
Ramiro Enrique notched his first goal as a Lion over the weekend, doubling the advantage for the home side over the Colorado Rapids. The goal came in the 83rd minute with an assist from Facundo Torres, who found Enrique inside the box. Since joining Orlando City from Argentine side Club Atlético Banfield, Enrique has made 15 appearances across all competitions, making his MLS debut in the Lions’ season opener against the New York Red Bulls.
Duty CallsÂ
The Lions will be without goalkeeper Pedro Gallese, along with midfielders Wilder Cartagena and Facundo Torres and forward Wilfredo Rivera over the weekend as the group embarks on international duty. Gallese and Cartagena will join the Peruvian national team in Asia for two friendly matches where they are set to square off against South Korea on Friday, June 16, followed by a meeting with Japan on Tuesday, June 20. Torres will join the Uruguayan National team, as they take on Cuba on Tuesday, June 20 in Estadio Centenario in Uruguay for a friendly, while Rivera is set to join Puerto Rico for meetings with Curaçao and Suriname.
The AssistÂ
Captain Mauricio Pereyra extended his Club-record to 39 assists as a Lion after picking up his fourth helper of the season on Saturday night, lending Facundo Torres the pass to open the scoring for the home side. Pereyra has made 113 appearances across all competitions as a Lion and has logged a total of 8,400 minutes with the Club, the franchise leader for a midfielder in both of those categories.
A Club DebutÂ
Midfielder Alejandro Granados made Orlando City history on Saturday night when he made his MLS debut in the 89th minute of play. At 17 years and 11 days old, Granados became the youngest player to appear in an MLS match for the Lions. Currently on an MLS NEXT Pro contract with Orlando City B, Granados was an MLS NEXT All-Star last season and is fresh off a terrific run with Spain to the U-17 Euro semifinals.
Next Man Up
In addition to the Lions away on international duty this weekend, the side will also be without defenders Kyle Smith and Antonio Carlos due to yellow card accumulation suspensions. Homegrown netminder Mason Stajduhar is expected to occupy the posts over the weekend, having won his lone start of the season on the road in Philadelphia with a 2-1 victory over the Union on March 25. In 13 appearances across all competitions, Stajduhar holds a 5-3-5 record as a starter for the Club.
