Bear on the Board
After a controversial video review denied Júnior Urso his first finish of the year in Chicago, “The Bear” netted his first goal of the campaign this past Saturday against FC Cincinnati, crashing the box and heading in a cross from Facundo Torres. The finish served as his ninth in MLS and third against the opposition since joining the Lions ahead of the 2020 season.
A First for Facundo
Facundo Torres tallied his first goal contribution as a Lion over the weekend, earning the assist with the cross on Júnior Urso’s first-half finish against FC Cincinnati. Torres, a product from Club Atlético Peñarol, joined the Lions this past offseason after making 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.
Near 90 for the Big Man
Ercan Kara recorded his first start for the Club on Saturday against FC Cincinnati, logging 88 minutes of play on the night. The Austrian front man had come off the bench in the Lions’ previous two matches of the campaign before making his first appearance in Head Coach Oscar Pareja’s first XI over the weekend.
A Long Way From Home
Saturday will serve as the Lions’ longest road trip since 2019 and the side’s first trip to take on the Galaxy since 2018. The trip will be the Club’s first of two West Coast ventures in the coming weeks, set to take on the Portland Timbers on Sunday, March 27 after returning from LA. Prior to this weekend, the Lions’ only Western Conference trips in the last two years took place with a pair of visits to Sporting KC in 2020 and 2021, respectively, as well as a contest apiece at Colorado and FC Dallas two years ago.
Milestone Tracker
- Mauricio Pereyra is two assists away from tying Nani for the all-time club record in assists in all competitions.
- Orlando City all-time assist leaders:
- Nani, 26
- Mauricio Pereyra, 24
- Chris Mueller, 24
- Kaká, 22
- Tesho Akindele is two goals away from 20 in his Orlando City career. Benji Michel is three goals away from 20.
- Kyle Smith’s next appearance will serve as his 75th for the Club.
- Andrés Perea’s next start will be his 30th as a Lion.
