ORLANDO, Fla. (May 21, 2022) - Orlando City SC (6-4-2, 20 points) heads back out on the road, this time to face Austin FC (7-3-2, 23 points) on Sunday, May 22 in a 8 p.m. ET kickoff at Q2 Stadium. The match is set to be televised locally on FOX35 PLUS and LionNation TV, while being transmitted on 96.9 The Game in English and Acción 97.9 in Spanish.
“Austin is a game that is going to bring different expressions from a team that we haven’t competed [against],” Head Coach Oscar Pareja said ahead of the match. “It’s a good opportunity to match a team that has been playing well during the season so far. They have very good players, but we are proud about ours too and we are ready to compete.”
The Lions will look to make it five straight wins in first-time matches against MLS expansion opponents. City’s streak dates back to its first meeting with FC Cincinnati on May 1, 2019 at Exploria Stadium, a 5-1 win for the home side. Most recently, the Lions defeated Charlotte FC 2-1 on April 30, 2022 at Exploria Stadium in the inaugural meeting between the two clubs.
City enters the weekend having taken down Toronto FC 1-0 in the final minutes of the match last Saturday afternoon. Kyle Smith headed in a corner kick from Alexandre Pato in the 92nd minute to give the Lions all three points at BMO Field.
Pato’s assist was his third across all competitions in the Club’s 2022 campaign, with the goal serving as the second of Smith’s Orlando City career. Pedro Gallese kept a clean sheet in the match, taking over the league lead with his sixth in 2022.
Austin faces a quick turnaround heading into Sunday’s match, having defeated LAFC by a score of 2-1 in a midweek match at Banc of California Stadium. Ruben Gabrielsen and Diego Fagúndez each scored for the visitors on both sides of the break, with LAFC’s rally coming up short following an 86th minute finish from the penalty spot by Carlos Vela.
Fagúndez holds the league lead in assists this campaign, sitting at seven on the year. Teammate Sebastián Driussi sits with the team high in finishes in 2022, tied for second in MLS at seven.
Following Sunday’s match, the Lions will look to advance further into the 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, hosting Inter Miami CF in the Round of 16 on Wednesday, May 25 in a 7 p.m. ET kickoff at Exploria Stadium. Tickets for that match are available here or by calling (855) ORL-CITY.
