ORLANDO, Fla. (July 3, 2022) - Orlando City SC (7-6-4, 25 points) returns home in MLS play to match up against D.C. United (4-9-2, 14 points) on Monday, July 4. The match is set to kickoff at 7 p.m. ET and will be locally televised on FOX35 PLUS and LionNation TV.
In addition to being televised on FOX35 PLUS and LionNation TV, local radio coverage of the match will be available on 96.9 The Game in English and Acción 97.9 in Spanish.
“We are preparing now in this short turnaround and short time after the [Open] Cup game and preparing for D.C. United,” said Head Coach Oscar Pareja. “They are a rival that we have not played this year yet. When we look at the standings, we may see a team that is not having a good time, but really our intentions with the players is, first put the Cup win to the side and focus on the league. Second, respect the rival and understand our responsibility to win this game and get three points at home. That is what we are focusing on now.”
In celebration of Independence Day, the Club will sport a specialty “4th of July” themed pre-match top. The 2022 pre-match jersey is an ultramodern take on the stars and stripes. Classic red, white, and blue colors intersect in an eye-catching pattern, bringing a fresh perspective to the Club's pre-match jerseys. There will also be a number of activations going on to celebrate the holiday, including a post-match laser show.
This is the first of two matchups during the 2022 regular-season campaign. Last season City swept the series, earning a 1-0 victory in the first matchup thanks to a game-winner from Mauricio Pereyra. In the second game, the Lions were backed by goals from Robin Jansson and a stoppage time game-winner from Daryl Dike to defeat the visitors 2-1 at Exploria Stadium.
City enters the match coming off of a thrilling penalty-kick shootout over Nashville SC in the Quarterfinals of the 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. The Lions leveled the match thanks to a goal from Rodrigo Schlegel in the fourth minute of second-half stoppage time. With both teams unable to find the back of the net in extra time, the game was forced into a shootout. An early Nashville miss and a final save from goalkeeper Pedro Gallese secured the result and punched City’s ticket into the semifinals.
D.C. United fell to Nashville 3-1 in its last outing this past Saturday at Audi Field, their lone goal coming from Taxi Fountas, which served as his sixth goal of the season in nine appearances. D.C. has lost their last three MLS regular-season games.
The Lions next return to action on Saturday, July 9, set to host intrastate foes Inter Miami CF at Exploria Stadium. Kickoff for that match is set for 8 p.m. ET with ticket available here or by calling (855) ORL-CITY.
