Orlando City (7-5-6, 27 points) vs Seattle Sounders (8-7-4, 28 points)
When: Saturday, 10:30 p.m.
Where: Lumen Field, Seattle, WA
Radio: 96.9 The Game (English), Acción 97.9 FM (Spanish)
Last Time Around
The Lions last faced off against Saturday’s opposition on Aug. 31 of last year in a thriller of a contest that saw City overcome a two-goal deficit to take all three points in front of its home crowd via a 3-2 victory. After the side fell two goals down shortly after halftime, finishes from Facundo Torres and Ercan Kara pulled the Lions level, with the decider coming off the foot of Kyle Smith in second-half stoppage time. That victory served as the first for the Lions over the Sounders in franchise history, with the side looking to make it two-consecutive this weekend.
Duncan Dimes
Forward Duncan McGuire continued his impressive run of form at the midweek, finding the back of the net for the second time in as many contests to take sole possession of the team lead with six goals this campaign. The 2023 MLS SuperDraft selection has scored in three of his four starts on the year, sitting as the sole pick in this past December’s draft to find the back multiple times this season.
Keep Em’ Coming
Designated Player Martín Ojeda found the back of the net for the Lions on Wednesday night at Exploria Stadium, netting his fourth finish of the year for the side. Ojeda had a hand in both goals on the evening, earning the assist on McGuire’s finish in the 13th minute to extend his team lead to six on the year in all competitions.
Mauro Milestones
Lions’ captain Mauricio Pereyra continues to make history for the Club, having extended a number of his own Club records on Wednesday night. With the secondary assist on McGuire’s first half finish, Pereyra tallied his 40th helper as a Lion in all competitions to add to his mark. In addition, the appearance served as his 115th since joining the side midway through the 2019 campaign, another category in which he leads for a midfielder, along with starts (103) and minutes played (8569).
Two in Two
Midfielder Iván Angulo tallied his second assist in as many contests on Wednesday night, earning the helper on Ojeda’s finish just after halftime. Angulo now sits with three assists on the year, tied for third on the squad behind only Ojeda and Pereyra, matching his total from the last part of 2022 where he posted three after joining the Club in July of last year. The Colombian sits as one of four Lions to appear in every match in league play this campaign.
Milestone Tracker
- César Araújo’s next appearance for the Lions will serve as his 60th in all competitions.
- Rodrigo Schlegel sits three appearances away from his 90th in Orlando in all competitions.
- Ercan Kara sits two appearances away from 50 in all competitions as a Lion.
