Against the Blue & Gold
Sunday will serve as the third matchup between the Lions and Nashville SC this weekend and the first of the year in downtown Orlando. City has battled to draws in both of its prior meetings with Sunday’s opposition, first taking a 1-1 result on Aug. 18 behind an equalizer from Antonio Carlos before overcoming a two-goal deficit on Sept. 29 to earn a 2-2 draw at the death from a Brian Anunga own goal. City holds a 1-1-3 record against Nashville through five matches, with the sides splitting the contests at Exploria with a win apiece.
Another for Daryl
Daryl Dike added to his impressive run of form as of late on Wednesday night, converting from the penalty spot for the second-consecutive match in what served as his sixth finish through City’s last seven contests. The 2020 MLS SuperDraft selection trails only Nani on the side in goals this season, now with eight in 2021 to match the total from his 2020 rookie campaign.
The Viking
Robin Jansson found the back of the net for the third time this year in the Lions’ last contest, now with four finishes across all competitions throughout his City tenure. With the finish, Jansson leads all Lions defenders in goals scored this season, surpassing Ruan and Antonio Carlos each with two. In addition to the goal at the midweek, Jansson also became the Club record holder for most all-time minutes for an outfield player (7,693), passing former midfielder Cristian Higuita (7,692).
A Career Best
Lions forward Tesho Akindele extended his single-season career high in assists on Wednesday night, providing the helper for Robin Jansson’s stoppage-time finish. Akindele now sits with six assists on the season, good for third on the side. Prior to 2021, the 2014 MLS Rookie of the Year tallied four assists in 2016 while with FC Dallas for his previous career-high.
In The City Beautiful
City will look to extend its Club-record in single-season home wins in its final fixture at Exploria Stadium on Sunday night. The Lions hold an 8-2-6 record in downtown Orlando this season, with eight wins besting the previous mark of seven set in both the 2015 and 2017 MLS campaigns.
Milestone Tracker
- Mauricio Pereyra’s next assist will be his 11th for the year, setting a new club record for assists in a single season.
- Tesho Akindele is two goals away from 20 in his Orlando City career.
