Orlando City

Rapid Reactions: Lions make sweet, sweet music in Nashville

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1. Four straight wins. Orlando City SC took care of business in the Magic City, shutting out Nashville 3-0 in a midweek match. It's the Lions' fourth win in a row and sixth result in their last seven games, a massive turnaround for the boys in purple.

2. Set pieces, set pieces, set pieces. The Lions got two of their three goals thanks in large part to the left foot of Martín Ojeda on dead ball plays. His service into the box was almost inch perfect on both and was an integral part of helping break down a team that historically has been solid defensively. After the game, Head Coach Oscar Pareja credited Ojeda as well as assistant coach Martin Perelman for his work in practice on those set pieces.

3. For the first time in almost exactly a year, César Araújo found the back of the net. The aforementioned ball by Ojeda was put in perfect position, finding the head of Araújo on the back post. César's run was simple enough, but the two defenders marking him never tracked him in the box, making for an easy finish. The last time Araújo found the back of the net was July 5, 2023, against Toronto FC.

4. Ramiro running rampant. Ramiro Enrique scored his third goal in three games with an absolute rocket late in the second half. The Argentine has found his form with Duncan McGuire on U.S. duty for the Olympics and has taken advantage of his opportunity. After missing some time with the team, it's great to see the young striker doing so well for the Lions in this latest run of form.

5. With his assist to Enrique, Iván Angulo has now had a goal contribution in his last four games — one goal and three assists. The Colombian winger's speed has been a killer for opposing defenses to track, and he has made the most of it. Drawing defenders to open space for others, or making good combination play with Facundo Torres or Ojeda to open up space for himself, Angulo has been a key piece of Orlando's winning streak.

6. Over the last 30 days, Orlando City has scored 21 goals. In that time frame, they have gone 5-1-1 and now sit seventh in the Eastern Conference. To put in perspective how good the Lions' offense has been over the last month, 17 of the Lions' 38 goals scored this season came in the first 17 games of the year. That means, Orlando has scored more than half their season total of goals in the last 7 games. A tremendous turnaround for the team in June and July.

7. Dominance in GEODIS Park. After winning tonight, the Lions have still never lost in Nashville's new stadium that opened in 2022. With wins in two trips their last year and one this year, Orlando have kept an usually very raucous crowd quiet every single time.

8. Orlando will play one more game in league play before breaking for the Leagues Cup, as they'll host New York City FC, looking for revenge from the match last month in the Bronx. That match will kick off on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET, with tickets available here.