What’s at Stake
The Lions enter Sunday’s match with a chance to clinch a berth in the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs for the second-consecutive year, with a result on the afternoon serving as enough to punch their ticket to the postseason. A City win or draw will give the Club its second postseason berth in franchise history, effectively eliminating the opposition from moving into a playoff position.
The Front Man
Daryl Dike added to his impressive stretch over the last month, finding the back of the net yet again on Sunday for the third-consecutive match. The Lions’ front man has contributed a total of seven goal contributions in the side’s last eight matches, with six goals and an assist in that stretch. Dike’s nine goals in 2021 trails only Nani on the side, surpassing his total of eight from his 2020 rookie campaign.
The Captain
Nani extended his own Club-record on Sunday afternoon, earning his 26th assist as a Lion in all competitions with the secondary on Daryl Dike’s first-half finish. The City captain trails only teammate Mauricio Pereyra (10) in that category this season, while leading the side with 10 finishes in total.The Portuguese international’s next goal will be his 32nd for Orlando City, the second-most he’s scored with any club, his highest mark at an individual club coming with Manchester United at 41.
Last Time at Stade Saputo
Sunday will serve as the Lions’ first visit to Montréal since the 2019 MLS campaign, taking a 3-0 shutout victory on June 1, 2019 at Stade Saputo. Nani netted his 100th professional goal to open the scoring in that match, converting from the penalty spot in the 27th minute. Tesho Akindele would go on to double the advantage nine minutes later before former Lions midfielder Will Johnson added the insurance just before halftime to give the visitors the victory.Â
Milestone Tracker
- A win would give Orlando City its first 50-point season in club history. It would also set a new club record for wins in a season with 13 (the team reached 12 in 2015).
- Orlando City’s next away win will tie their club record of 5 from 2015.
- Mauricio Pereyra’s next assist will be his 11th for the year, setting a new club record for assists in a single season.Â
- Pereyra is the fourth player in club history to record a double-digit assist season (Kaká 10, 2016; Yoshimar Yotún 10, 2018; Nani 10, 2019).
- Daryl Dike’s next appearance will be his 40th for Orlando City. His next goal will be his 10th of the season, making him the seventh player in club history to record a double-digit goal season. He is three goals away from 20 in his Orlando City career.
- Tesho Akindele is two goals away from 20 in his Orlando City career.
