Orlando City vs CF Montréal
When: Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: INTER&Co Stadium, Orlando, FL
Radio: Real Radio 104.1, (English), Acción 97.9 FM (Spanish)
Here are five storylines to watch on Saturday when Orlando City plays host to CF Montréal for the 2024 home opener:
Home Sweet Home
Orlando City SC will open its Major League Soccer campaign this weekend in the friendly confines of INTER&Co Stadium for the 10th consecutive season since joining MLS in 2015. In their first nine home and season openers, the Lions have posted an undefeated record of 3-0-6, including a 2-0 shutout win to kick off their 2022 campaign against Saturday’s opposition of CF Montréal.
The Viking
The Lions’ will have a new player wearing the captain’s armband this season following former captain Mauricio Pereyra’s return to his native Uruguay this offseason. Announced in a training session ahead of City’s first game in the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup earlier this week, defender Robin Jansson will take over and serve as the Club’s sixth captain all-time in its MLS era.
Pulpo Doing Pulpo Things
Goalkeeper Pedro Gallese enters yet another season opener looking to maintain an impressive streak, having yet to concede a goal on opening weekend in his Orlando City tenure. Having joined the Club prior to the start of the 2020 season, Gallese has helped the Lions secure a pair of scoreless draws in 2020 and 2021, respectively, a 2-0 win over Saturday’s opposition in 2022 and a 1-0 win over the Red Bulls to start 2023. In addition, Pedro kicked off his 2024 campaign with a 3-0 shutout win in Concacaf Champions Cup earlier this week.
Manning The Wall
Earlier this week, Orlando City SC announced that “The Wall” - the North-end supporters’ section at INTER&Co Stadium – has completely sold out of single-match tickets for Saturday’s match against CF Montréal. The feat marks the second consecutive season The Wall will be at capacity for a home opener.
4 in 11
The Lions enter the weekend off the back of a cross-continent road trip, set to play their second match of the week and what will serve as their second of four matches in 11 days to start the 2024 campaign. Beginning on Wednesday, Feb. 21 with a Concacaf Champions Cup match against Cavalry FC, Orlando City will face Montréal this weekend, Cavalry in the return leg on Tuesday, Feb. 24, before traveling to take on Inter Miami CF on Saturday, March 2.
Milestone Tracker:
- Oscar Pareja’s next season-opening victory will be his eighth in MLS, tying him for third in league history with Bruce Arena
- A result on Saturday will serve as Orlando City’s 10th consecutive year going undefeated in season-opening matches, the longest active streak in Major League Soccer
