Storylines | City vs. LAFC

The Minutes Man

In the eighth minute of the Lions’ visit to Portland this past Sunday, defender Robin Jansson became the Club’s all-time minutes leader across all competitions with his 8,249th minute played. Jansson passed former goalkeeper Joe Bendik, who held the record at 8248. The Viking also leads the Club in appearances across all competitions, currently with 94 as a Lion.

The Bear Strikes Again

Júnior Urso found the back of the net yet again for the Lions on Sunday, serving as the first City player to record multiple goals this season. In addition to his finish on Sunday, The Bear netted a goal for the side in their last home fixture against FC Cincinnati and looked to have found the back of the net the match prior in Chicago, but was waved off upon Video Review. Urso now has 10 finishes for the Lions across all competitions, with five assists to add.

Quack Quack

Alexandre Pato notched his first assist as a Lion this past Sunday, feeding the ball for Urso’s second half finish. The Duck now has a goal and an assist to his credit in purple, with Sunday’s helper serving as his first in a match since March 14, 2020 for São Paulo in the Campeonato Paulista against Santos.

3/3

Saturday’s match will serve as the Lions’ third consecutive against Western Conference opposition the past few weeks, returning to Exploria Stadium following trips to the LA Galaxy and Portland Timbers. The side took a pair of results from each of those contests, battling to a 1-0 victory over the Galaxy before taking a 1-1 draw from Providence Park the following week. The weekend will serve as the last time the side will face an interconference opponent until traveling to take on Austin FC on May 22. 

Against the Opposition

This weekend will serve as the Lions’ third meeting with LAFC across all competitions in Club history and the first time the two sides have faced off since their dramatic finish in the Quarterfinals of the MLS is Back Tournament nearly two years ago. That match saw the Lions defeat LAFC via penalty shootout following an 89th minute equalizer from defender João Moutinho against his former Club. 

For Club & Country

Two Orlando City players punched their tickets to the 2022 FIFA World Cup this week, while another has a chance to go through in an intercontinental playoff in June, with Facundo Torres and Uruguay along with Sebas Méndez and Ecuador qualifying for this winter’s coming tournament. In addition, Pedro Gallese and Peru rallied to beat Paraguay 2-0 to secure their spot in the intercontinental playoff, with El Pulpo registering the clean sheet on the night.

Milestone Tracker

Pedro Gallese’s next victory will tie Joe Bendik’s club record of 25 in all competitions. Gallese is 24-12-15 as the starting keeper for Orlando.

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.

Andrés Perea’s next appearance will be his 60th as a Lion. 

Sebas Méndez’s next appearance will mark his 70th for the Club.