New Up Top
Entering into the 2022 season, the Lions boast a new crop of attacking talent, signing a pair of Designated Players this offseason in forwards Facundo Torres and Ercan Kara. Torres, a product from Club Atlético Peñarol, made 71 appearances for los Carboneros’ first team since 2020, including appearances in the Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana, scoring 16 goals and adding 15 assists. Kara, 26, comes to the Lions in the midst of a professional career that has seen him total 55 goals and 23 assists in 108 appearances across all competitions, including appearances in the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League.
Back Again
Returning to the side this season is nearly the entire defensive unit from a year ago, a group that set a new Club-record for shutouts in a single-season with nine in 2021. Goalkeeper Pedro Gallese returns in between the pipes, along with center back pairing Robin Jansson and Antonio Carlos. At fullback, João Moutinho, Kyle Smith and Ruan all return to the Club in 2022, along with midfielders Sebastián Méndez and Júnior Urso, each of which played an integral role in the Lions’ record-setting season a year ago.
Last Time Around
The Lions last faced off against CF Montréal on Decision Day of last year, taking a 2-0 victory at Stade Saputo to punch their ticket to the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs for the second-consecutive year. Sebastián Méndez scored his first goal as a Lion to give City the lead shortly after the halftime break, with former Orlando forward Daryl Dike adding the insurance late in the second half to give the road side the victory.
Another Record Year
Head Coach Oscar Pareja returns to the Lions for his third year at the helm, looking to build off yet another record-breaking season in 2021. Punching their ticket to the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs for the second-consecutive year, City finished the 2021 regular season setting new records for points in a single-season (51), wins (13), clean sheets (9) and home wins (8).
Remaining Unbeaten
City will look to continue its seven-year unbeaten run on opening day, having yet to have lost a contest to open the season since joining MLS in 2015. The Lions have opened every season of their now eight-year MLS tenure in The City Beautiful, battling to a scoreless draw with Atlanta United FC to kick off the 2021 campaign at Exploria Stadium a year ago.
Mixing in the Youth
Also joining the Lions this offseason were a number of young talents, namely César Araújo from Montevideo Wanderers Fútbol Club, who joined the side as a part of Major League Soccer’s U22 Initiative. Araújo joined Monetevideo’s first team in July of 2019, where he provided six assists in 63 appearances with the Uruguayan club, including appearances in the Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana. In addition, the Lions added defender Alex Freeman to their roster on a Homegrown contract, along with 2022 MLS SuperDraft selection Jack Lynn.
