1. The Lions just keep it rolling. After a tough first half, Orlando City SC was able to push through with two goals in seven minutes to get a sixth straight win, a 2-1 result, at home over the Philadelphia Union.
2. Facundo Torres, in a class all his own. With his opening goal in the second half, he passed former Lion Cyle Larin in the record books with his 45th club goal across all competitions, making him the all-time leader in goals scored for Orlando City. It was a big goal for Torres, but an even bigger goal for the Lions in that moment.
3. The run that Torres has been on has truly been incredible. In his last 10 MLS games, he has scored or assisted in seven of them. That has led not just Torres but the Orlando City offense to new heights. Torres' goal tonight was his 18th across all competitions, tying Larin's single-season record from 2015, while the Lions tied their own season goal-scoring mark from last year with 55 goals (and still two games remaining). It's fair to say that the "Summer of Facu" has fully evolved into the "Season of Facu."
4. Take a bow, Luis Muriel! Two assists on the night for the Colombian Designated Player helped lead the Orlando offense tonight in the second half. After coming into the game for Iván Angulo, the game seemed to open up for the Lions in the early part of the second half, with Muriel setting up both goals in a seven-minute span. The forward now has five goal contributions in his last four games, finally starting to show why he was brought in as a Designated Player.
5. After the game, Muriel admitted that his growth into his current form has been a process. He credited his teammates, the coaching staff and following that process with patience. He said in his press conference that he knew eventually, "The moment will come, and I can finally show that I am Luis Muriel."
6. Duncan double digits! After finding the net again tonight on a worldie of a pass from Muriel, the forward now has 10 goals on the season. Not only that, but the goal puts him past Kaká in the all-time goal-scoring charts, now placing him in sole possession of fourth in club history. He's three goals off his pace from last season, but with three goals in his last five games, his hot form could help him get there. The one roadblock, however, is that he picked up a yellow card towards the end of the game, so he will now be suspended for the weekend game against FC Cincinnati due to accumulation.
7. While he didn't get on the scoresheet, Martín Ojeda was having a game for himself in the first 45 minutes. After setting up multiple chances and helping pick apart the Union defense, it seemed almost inevitable that he would be the one that helped the Lions get the opener. Ultimately, Orlando couldn't finish those chances he helped create, which almost came back to bite them in the end. It's going to be crucial to capitalize on those early chances, especially heading into the playoffs in just a few week's time.
7. On the other side of the ball, the Lions' defense had some very nervy moments at the end of the first and second halves, especially on set pieces and balls into the box. The defense was constantly getting beat to the ball on headers, and if not for the Union unable to find where the net was on those plays, the Lions would probably be on the other end of the scoresheet tonight. For teams with tall target forwards that face Orlando in the playoffs, it could be a big point of emphasis for those other teams if the Lions can't fix those issues.
9. The Lions will play their third game in eight days on Saturday in their penultimate game of the regular season and their final road game of the 2024 campaign against FC Cincinnati in Ohio. The game will be crucial for both teams, with the Lions looking to keep their fouth spot in the standings, while Cincy looks to jump Columbus to take back second place. Kickoff for that game is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday night.
