Another for Antonio
Defender Antonio Carlos found the back of the net for the second time this season on Wednesday in Nashville, getting his head on a set piece to score in the same fashion as his first goal of the year on Aug. 4 against Inter Miami. The Brazilian defender has now scored three times in MLS play for the Lions in 36 appearances.
El Maestro
Midfielder Mauricio Pereyra extended his team lead with his eighth assist of the season on Wednesday night, lofting in the ball that eventually found the head of Antonio Carlos for the equalizer. Pereyra has now tallied 20 assists as a Lion, his eight helpers this year matching his personal best in a single season, set a year ago.
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Let’s Make it Five*
With the draw on Wednesday evening in Nashville, City extended its unbeaten run to four consecutive matches in MLS regular-season play, with a win and a trio of draws in that stretch. Four different goal-scorers have come in the span, with Nani and Antonio Carlos each accounting for a pair of finishes, while Kyle Smith and Silvester van der Water have added one of their own as well.
We’re Coming Home
Saturday will serve as the first of a three-game home slate for the Lions, the longest such stretch they’ll enjoy in MLS action up to this point. Following the weekend fixture against Chicago, the Club will host intrastate foes Inter Miami CF for the second time this season on Friday, Aug. 27 before welcoming the defending MLS Cup Champions Columbus Crew the following weekend.
Last Time in The City Beautiful
The last time the Fire visited downtown Orlando came on Sept. 19, 2020, a match that resulted in a 4-1 victory in favor of the home side. Chris Mueller, Nani, Júnior Urso and Benji Michel all found the back of the net in that fixture, as the match saw six total members of the side record a goal contribution in the match with Mauricio Pereyra and Andrés Perea each tallying assists.
In Between the Sticks
Goalkeeper Mason Stajduhar continued his unbeaten run for the Lions’, now helping the side to a result in his first four regular-season starts. Stajduhar tallied three saves on Wednesday in Nashville, a new single-game high for the Homegrown in MLS action. With a Lions’ win or draw on Saturday, Stajduhar will tie former City goalkeeper Tally Hall, who holds the Club-record with five straight unbeaten MLS games to start his Orlando City career in 2015.
Milestone Tracker
- Head Coach Oscar Pareja is one win away from tying Jason Kreis for the all-time coaching wins record in club history (22, all competitions). Kreis managed 65 total matches in his Orlando City tenure, while Pareja has managed just 49.
- Nani is one goal away from 10 for the 2021 season, which would make him the second player in club history after Cyle Larin to record multiple double-digit goal seasons for the club in the MLS era.
- Tesho Akindele is two goals away from 20 in his Orlando City career.
- Akindele’s next assist will set a new career high of five in a single season.
- Robin Jansson’s next start will serve as his 75th for Orlando City.
