A Club Record
Goalkeeper Pedro Gallese made Club history this past weekend, posting his 14th shutout in all competitions with City’s 1-0 victory over the Galaxy. Gallese tallied three saves in the match to record his third clean sheet through four appearances in 2022 and earn MLS Team of the Week bench honors, tied for the league lead in shutouts with Chicago Fire FC’s Gaga Slonina.
The Iron Viking
Defender Robin Jansson is on pace to set a record of his own for the Lions. The Viking has played 8,241 minutes in purple across all competitions and should he start on Sunday against the Timbers, he’ll pass former Lions goalkeeper Joe Bendik’s record of 8,248 minutes played in the eighth minute of the match.
A Photo Finish
Facundo Torres scored his first goal for the Lions over the weekend, his ninth-minute finish serving as the eventual game-winner for the visitors over the Galaxy. The goal came just one week after the Uruguayan international tallied his first goal contribution for the Club, earning an assist in the side’s previous contest against FC Cincinnati. Fellow Designated Player Ercan Kara got his first assist for the Lions on Torres’ game-winner.
Against the Timbers
Sunday will serve as the Lions’ first regular-season match against the Timbers since the 2019 campaign, last facing off against this weekend’s opposition in the final of the MLS is Back Tournament in 2020. City holds a 3-1-1 record against Portland in MLS regular-season action, with its last trip to Providence Park resulting in a 1-1 draw thanks to a finish from former Lion Santiago Patiño.
For Club & Country
City will be without three players this weekend with goalkeeper Pedro Gallese, as well as midfielder Sebastián Méndez and forward Facundo Torres each joining their respective nations for CONMEBOL’s FIFA World Cup Qualifying. “El Pulpo” will join Peru to take on Torres and Uruguay in Los Incas’ first of two matches this window with a matchup against Paraguay to follow. Méndez and Ecuador will face off against Paraguay and Argentina, while Torres and Uruguay will round out with a contest against Chile following their matchup with Peru.
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.
- Andrés Perea’s next start will be his 30th as a Lion.
