Orlando City has yet to concede a goal through two matches in 2022, following up a 2-0 victory in the opener against Montréal with a cagey 0-0 draw at Soldier Field this past Saturday.
Crucial to the effort has been Brazilian center back Antonio Carlos, back for his third season with the Lions. Stuck in Brazil awaiting his visa until February 18, Antonio Carlos arrived in Orlando in top shape and jumped right into the team, helping City post back to back shutouts to begin the 2022 campaign.
For his imperious performance on Saturday night, Antonio Carlos was voted Heineken Man of the Match by the Orlando City faithful.
The Brazilian excelled in his matchup with Kacper Przybylko, limiting the prolific Chicago striker to just one low-percentage shot (an 0.05 expected goals value according to Opta) and three touches in the Orlando City penalty area. The Fire as a team only recorded 0.41 expected goals on the day. Orlando is third in MLS in fewest xG against through the season’s first two matches.
Antonio Carlos also paced the side with four clearances, tied for the team lead with two interceptions, and completed the most passes on the team with 42. He did not commit a single foul throughout what was an extremely chippy match.
