MONTERREY, Mexico – Orlando City SC earned a scoreless draw on Tuesday evening at Estadio Universitario against Liga MX powerhouse Tigres UANL in what served as the Club’s debut in the Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League.
The match saw the Lions record their third clean sheet in as many contests in 2023, setting a new Club-record now at 270 minutes without conceding to start a campaign, surpassing the previous mark set a year ago at 192.
City goalkeeper Pedro Gallese served in net once again for the Lions, recording eight saves to keep Tigres off the board, one shy of his career-high in purple. Gallese now sits with 24 shutouts in all competitions as a Lion, extending his own Club-record for the third time in 2023 on Tuesday evening.
The first half saw Tigres with the better of the chances, forcing Gallese into stops twice inside the first 10 minutes of play. The Lions best effort of the first 45 came off the foot of César Araújo, who cut into the box and drove for goal, but poked his shot just wide of the post. City looked to take a man advantage in first half stoppage time, but a red card to Andre-Pierre Gignac was waived off upon Video Review.
Gallese continued his form into the second half, highlighted by a full extension in the 57th minute to deny a point-blank header from Samir Caetano. Designated Player Martín Ojeda was active for the Lions after the break, picking the pocket of the Tigres’ defense twice, only for his efforts to be saved and hit wide, respectively. Ojeda also set up fellow Argentine Gastón González for a strike at the center of the area, but his shot was fired high.
The two sides will now look ahead to the second leg of the aggregate series, with Tigres traveling to the City Beautiful to face the Lions on Wednesday, March 15. That match will kick off at 8:15 p.m. from Exploria Stadium, with tickets available here.
He said it
“Pedro [Gallese] deserves a lot of praise on the way he played today, but the collective effort of the players, the courage, keeping us in the game. Keeping us, not just defending, but also with some possibilities that we had in the game where we could probably score against a good rival. The whole team was good. This was not an easy thing to do and we’re proud. We have a game in front of us in Orlando and we know the rival already and we hope that we can advance.” -- Orlando City coach Oscar Pareja on goalkeeper Pedro Gallese
Fast facts
➖ The Lions recorded their third-consecutive clean sheet to begin the 2023 campaign, setting a Club-record now at 270 minutes without giving up a goal to start the season.
➖ Goalkeeper Pedro Gallese tallied his third shutout in as many contests of the campaign, now with 24 in all competitions as a Lion to extend his Club-record.
➖ The Lions’ clean sheet is just the sixth clean sheet in 69 matches for MLS teams away, against Mexican opposition in the Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League/Cup.
➖ Midfielder Felipe Martins made his Orlando City debut in Monterrey, entering the match in the 85th minute of play.
➖ Tuesday night’s fixture served as the Concacaf Champions League debut for Orlando City.
➖ Forward Ramiro Enrique made his first start as a Lion in the match.
Up next
Orlando City will return to MLS regular season play on Saturday, March 11, traveling to face D.C. United in a 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
