NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Sept. 2, 2020) - Orlando City SC (4-2-3, 15 points) played to a 1-1 draw against Nashville SC (2-4-2, 8 points) on Wednesday night at Nissan Stadium in its first visit to the 2020 expansion side.
Benji Michel scored the lone goal for the Lions’ in the match, ripping a shot off in the 17th minute for his first goal of the regular-season and his second across all competitions. Mauricio Pereyra earned the assist on that finish, his third of the season, all of which have come against Nashville after a two-assist performance at Exploria Stadium a week ago.
Head Coach Oscar Pareja:
“I said it in the bubble when we tied Philadelphia and I found a group with pain and a feeling that they could have done much more. At the end it’s a good feeling because you recognize that your players are ambitious to come away and get three points and I think that they did play with that intention [today]. The first half was very good. The second half when we started in the first 10-15 minutes, I think they [Nashville] were more aggressive and got a couple chances in our third and they ended up scoring and that was the mistake that kept us from getting the three points today. But we’ll take it. This is a long journey, I’ve said it many times and the boys are proud and they will keep going and prepare for the next one.”
Scoring Recap:
17’ Benji Michel (Mauricio Pereyra) - ORL 1, NSH 0
The Lions opened the scoring with Maurcio Pereyra playing a one-touch pass to Benji Michel, who bodied off his mark and stayed on his feet before ripping a ball from outside of the area into the left side netting for the finish.
47’ Randall Leal (Hany Mukhtar) - ORL 1, NSH 1
The home side leveled things right after the halftime break after a ball from Hany Mukhtar found Randall Leal running in behind the City defense, who hit it past City goalkeeper Pedro Gallese for the equalizer.
Match Notes:
- Benji Michel scored his first goal of the regular-season and his second across all competitions in the match, his first coming in the Semifinals of the MLS is Back Tournament against Minnesota United.
- Mauricio Pereyra notched his third assist of the season, all of which have come against Nashville, on Michel’s 17th-minute finish.
- Kamal Miller and Robinho each made their first starts of the season in the match.
- The match marked the Lions’ first visit to Nashville in Club history.
- Next Match: City returns home for the remaining two matches of its Phase 1 Continuation of Play schedule, first hosting Atlanta United on Saturday Sept. 5 at Exploria Stadium before its first home match against Inter Miami CF a week later.
Scoring Summary:
ORL - Benji Michel (Mauricio Pereyra) 17’
NSH - Randall Leal (Hany Mukhtar) 47’
Misconduct Summary:
None
Lineups/Substitutions:
Orlando City SC - GK Pedro Gallese; D Kamal Miller, Robin Jansson, Antonio Carlos, Ruan; M Robinho (Chris Mueller 53’), Júnior Urso, Uri Rosell (Andrés Perea 53’) Mauricio Pereyra © (Sebastián Méndez 61’); F Daryl Dike (Tesho Akindele 54’), Benji Michel (Kyle Smith 73’)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Brian Rowe; D Alex De John, Rodrigo Schlegel; M Joey DeZart
Nashville SC - GK Joe Willis; D Daniel Lovitz, Dave Romney, Walker Zimmerman, Alistair Johnston; M Aníbal Godoy, Dax McCarty ©, Alex Muyl (Abu Danladi 71’), Randall Leal (David Accam 72’), Hany Mukhtar (Brian Anunga 90’); F Dominique Badji (Daniel Ríos 64’)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Elliot Panicco; D Jalil Anibaba, Eric Miller, Taylor Washington; M Derrick Jones
Details of the Game:
Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
Weather: Clear
Date: September 2, 2020
Stats:
Possession:
NSH - 41.6%
ORL - 58.4%
Shots:
NSH - 8
ORL - 7
Saves:
NSH - 2
ORL - 3
Fouls:
NSH - 17
ORL - 6
Corners:
NSH - 5
ORL - 10
Heineken Star of the Match: Benji Michel
