Orlando City (2-2-2, 8 points) at Minnesota United (3-1-2, 11 points)
When: Saturday, 8:30 p.m.
Where: Allianz Field, St. Paul, Minn.
TV: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV (free match)
Radio: 96.9 The Game (English), Accion 97.9 FM (Spanish)
Here are five storylines to watch on Saturday as Orlando City faces Minnesota United on the road:
El Pulpo reaches 90
Goalkeeper Pedro Gallese tallied his 90th appearance in all competitions as a Lion in the side’s last outing against Nashville SC, all of which have been starts in net for the Club.
Gallese sits just three appearances shy of passing Joe Bendik (92) for the most by an Orlando City goalkeeper throughout Club history.
Road form
City will look to continue its strong form on the road on Saturday night, having taken a win and a pair of draws in all competitions in road play this season.
The side battled to a scoreless draw against Tigres UANL on March 7 before splitting the points with D.C. United four days later in a 1-1 result that saw forward Duncan McGuire score his first professional goal. In their last road match, the Lions took a 2-1 victory over the Philadelphia Union on March 25, backed by goals from Martín Ojeda and Iván Angulo.
Startin' Schlegel
Defender Rodrigo Schlegel tallied his 60th start and 80th appearance in all competitions for the Lions in the side’s last outing against Nashville.
Through six matches in 2023, Schlegel is one of two players to start every match for City thus far this campaign alongside teammate Mauricio Pereyra, and currently leads the side in minutes played at 495.
Long time coming
Saturday will mark the first meeting between the Lions and the Loons since Aug. 6, 2020, when the two sides squared off in the Semifinals of the MLS is Back Tournament at ESPN Wide World of Sports, resulting in a 3-1 victory for Orlando City.
A first-half brace from former Lions’ captain Nani along with an insurance goal from former Homegrown forward Benji Michel in stoppage time punched City’s ticket to the Final of the tournament.
The last time the two sides squared off in league play came on Aug. 17, 2019, in the side’s lone visit all-time to Allianz Field, resulting in a 1-1 draw with Nani converting from the penalty spot for City.
Lions and Loons is for the kids
While it’s been some time since Orlando City and Minnesota United have faced one another in league play, their U-15 sides met just a week ago, with the Lions taking a 2-1 victory in group play at the Generation adidas Cup.
The win secured the U-15s berth in the playoffs, finishing atop their group and going on to reach the Semifinals before falling to the Philadelphia Union in a 1-0 defeat.
