NASHVILLE, Tenn. (July 17, 2024) – Orlando City SC (9-9-6, 33 points) extended its win streak to four straight matches on Wednesday night, earning a 3-0 victory against host Nashville SC (6-10-8, 26 points) at GEODIS Park. For the seventh straight match the Lions tallied multiple goals, also earning their sixth clean sheet of the 2024 campaign.
Orlando City jumped out to a lead just 19 minutes into the match, with César Araújo capitalizing on a set piece ball from Martín Ojeda, his second assist in as many games. The Lions would extend their lead to 2-0 heading into the half, causing a Nashville own goal, also off a set play. Ramiro Enrique scored the final of the night late in the game, his third goal in three matches.
The Lions' defense was in control all evening, holding the home side to just two shots on target over the 90 minutes.
City will return home to the friendly confines of INTER&Co Stadium this Saturday, July 20, for a matchup with New York City FC. Kickoff between the Lions and Pigeons is set for 7:30 p.m. ET and will be available on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV. The game will be Orlando City's final regular-season match before heading into League Cup 2024 play.
Scoring Summary:
19’ César Araújo (Martín Ojeda) – ORL 1, NSH 0
The Lions got things started on the night when Martín Ojeda stepped up to take an attacking free kick in Nashville’s final third of the field. Ojeda sent the ball to the far post where fellow midfielder César Araújo was able to get his head on the ball, knock it into the ground in front of goalkeeper Joe Willis and ultimately in for the opener.
40’ Alex Muyl (Own Goal) – ORL 2, NSH 0
The Lions added one more just before the end of the first half when midfielder Martín Ojeda got involved again, drawing a foul in a dangerous area. Ojeda stepped up to cross the ensuing free kick into the box, angling it to the far post for Facundo Torres and Ramiro Enrique. A Nashville defender got his head onto it and deflected it into his teammate Alex Muyl. The ball deflected off Muyl’s face and back into the net for the Lions’ second of the night.
81’ Ramiro Enrique (Iván Angulo) – ORL 3, NSH 0
Ramiro Enrique added to the Lions’ insurance with less than 10 minutes remaining in the match, scoring his third goal in as many games. After a shot by Luis Muriel was blocked, Iván Angulo collected the deflection and sent a quick pass wide right to Enrique. The striker made no mistake, rifling a shot off the underside of the crossbar and past Joe Willis.
Head Coach Oscar Pareja:
“We are really happy, indeed with the result, but most importantly with the seriousness of the team, the discipline, the responsibility that the boys have had on bouncing back from those difficult moments. And not just bounce back, but just keeping the level and the feeling and the plays against a [Nashville] team that is very difficult. I thought we played a very serious game. I see that group just playing the way we are and keeping our responsibilities, but at the same time being productive for the group. Very complete game for us and we're happy and ready to move toward the next one.”
Match Notes:
- With three goals on the night, the Lions set a new Club record for most goals scored in a seven-game stretch in Club history, bringing their total over the last seven games to 21 goals.
- The goal tally also marked a Club record for most-consecutive matches with multiple goals, now at seven-straight games.
- The trio of goals also marked the most goals the Lions have scored in a single match while playing at GEODIS Park.
- Midfielder César Araújo tallied his first goal of the 2024 campaign and his fifth goal for the Lions all-time across all competitions.
- Midfielder Martín Ojeda provided the helper on the Araújo opener, serving as his seventh of the season across all competitions and his 17th all-time for Orlando City.
- With his goal in the 81st minute, Ramiro Enrique has now scored in each of his last three matches.
- Wednesday’s win marked Head Coach Oscar Pareja’s 75th victory across all competitions while at the helm of Orlando City.
- Pareja made one change to his starting lineup from his side’s last match against the New England Revolution, with Rafael Santos returning to the Starting XI.
