1. For the second straight year, Orlando City SC hosted the first game of the MLS Cup Playoffs, and for the second straight year, the Lions secured the first win of the series. This time around, it was a 2-0 win over Charlotte FC.
2. It took half an hour for the game to get its first goal, but Facundo Torres delivered the much-needed opener. For the first 30 minutes, the Lions were great in creating chances in the attacking third, but they couldn't finish their chances. In steps the hottest player on Orlando City's roster to finally hit a shot past Kristijan Kahlina and give the Lions the lead.
3. With the goal, Torres broke Cyle Larin's 2015 single-season goal-scoring mark of 18, making him the most prolific goal scorer in a season in team history. While Larin scored 18 goals, he didn't have any assists in that inaugural season, while Torres added nine assists to his tally on the season. To be able to add almost double-digit goals and assists in a calendar year is the mark of a special player.
4. In honor of the #HonorThyHistory theme of the year, Torres also tied Dom Dwyer's combined USL and MLS goal-scoring record. Dwyer scored 22 goals in his lone USL year with the Lions, while adding 24 during his MLS tenure. Torres now has 46 goals across all competitions in his tenure, tying that mark.
5. Charlotte, a very solid defensive team, started pinning Orlando back as the second half began, which forced the Lions to play more of a counter-attacking game throughout the final 45 minutes. Head Coach Oscar Pareja talked after the game about how it was a bit of a trade-off, where they conceded possession to Charlotte and looked to hit more on quick counter-attacks, which is exactly how they scored the second goal.
6. That 76th-minute goal from MartÃn Ojeda was a massive one to help open up the game for the Lions. It was Cesar Araujo's line-breaking pass that opened up space for Iván Angulo to run in behind the defense. Ojeda, who was ahead of the ball, allowed it to run past him and didn't make a move for it, allowing Agulo to get to the ball. That allowed MartÃn to receive the ball from Angulo, take a touch towards goal and blast one past Kahlina to double the Lions' lead.
7. While we're mentioning Angulo, his effort today on both sides of the ball was massive in the win. Numerous times he tracked back to stop counterattacks from Charlotte, and in the next play, ran back offensively to help in the attack. There's a reason that the Colombian has played in almost every single game this year: consistency on both sides of the ball.
8. With that goal from Ojeda, the Lions finally found the back of the net multiple times in a playoff game. To this point, the maximum amount of goals they have scored in a postseason game has been one. It's wild to think that over the five years that Orlando City has made the postseason, the team has never scored more than a goal in a game until tonight.
9. Game Two of Round One in the 2024 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs will shift things over to North Carolina as the Lions head to Charlotte on Friday. Kickoff for that one at Bank of America field is set for Nov. 1 at 7:30 p.m. ET.
