100 - Triple-digit Tesho
Tesho Akindele’s cameo at the end of Orlando City’s 1-1 draw with New England Revolution on Wednesday marked his 100th appearance in all competitions for the Lions, making him the fourth player in the Club’s MLS era to reach the century mark following Cristian Higuita, Chris Mueller and Robin Jansson. Akindele will be presented with a special jersey prior to Saturday night’s game against Houston Dynamo FC at Exploria Stadium to mark the accomplishment. Tesho has 18 goals and eight assists in his Lions career, including an 11-goal campaign in all competitions in 2019.
100 again - Centurion HH
We get double use out of a number this week! Houston made a massive splash in the transfer market this spring, inking Mexican international midfielder Héctor Herrera to a Designated Player contract after the El Tri vet wound down his deal with Spanish powerhouse Atlético Madrid. Herrera won’t be available against Orlando City, as the summer transfer window does not open until July, but he brings 100 caps with the Mexican national team to Houston. Herrera has played at Exploria Stadium before – he started for Atlético in the 2019 MLS All-Star Game.
1,001 - Nice to see you again
It’s been a good while since Orlando City and Houston Dynamo FC have faced each other – 1,001 days, to be exact. Since the teams last met in Houston on September 21, 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic limited inter-conference matchups and the two teams were not scheduled against each other in any competition until Saturday night’s matchup at Exploria Stadium. It’s actually been 1,365 days since Houston traveled to Orlando, with the Lions’ last home game against the Dynamo coming on September 22, 2018.
129 - Darwin dishin’ dimes
Dynamo forward Darwin Quintero has been one of MLS’ most dynamic attackers since entering MLS in 2018. Since being traded from Minnesota to Houston ahead of the 2020 season, Quintero leads all MLS forwards in chances created by a mile with 129, nearly 20 more than second-place Gustavo Bou of the Revolution. Quintero has 15 goals and 13 assists in 55 career MLS appearances for the Dynamo.
