ORLANDO, Fla. (Oct. 15, 2021) - Orlando City SC (11-8-9, 42 points) heads back out on the road this weekend, traveling to take on FC Cincinnati (4-16-8, 20 points) on Saturday, Oct. 16 at TQL Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET with coverage set to begin at 7 p.m. on FOX35 PLUS.
Saturday’s match, presented by City Furniture, will also be available to stream on LionNation TV while being transmitted on Real Radio 104.1 in English and Acción 97.9FM, 810AM in Spanish.
“[Saturday’s] match in Cincinnati is important just like any other knowing that at this point with six games left that we have to achieve our objectives first of getting into the playoffs while also trying to position ourselves in a good place. Every single point will matter from now on in terms of those decisions,” Head Coach Oscar Pareja said ahead of Saturday’s match. “We’ve had a long journey this year where we’re in a position where we’re still competing for those high seeds and Cincinnati is going to be crucial to get a good result there. We have to be on our toes and on all cylinders and be conscious about not just the importance of the game, but the quality of the rival too.”
The Lions will look to remain unbeaten against Saturday’s opposition throughout their history, holding a 2-0-2 record through four contests against the 2019 expansion side. The two sides have faced off twice this year thus far, with City taking a 3-0 shutout victory on May 1 at Exploria Stadium before battling to a 1-1 draw in the Queen City on Aug. 7.
City returns to action following a week off from match play, last taking a come-from-behind victory over D.C. United on Oct. 2. After going down in the sixth minute thanks to a goal from Julian Gressel, City answered off the foot of Robin Jansson in the 17th. The match looked destined for a draw late into stoppage time until a Chris Mueller corner found the head of Daryl Dike for the game-winner in the 97th minute.
Nani leads the Lions with nine goals this season, followed by Dike now with six. Mauricio Pereyra leads the side in assists on the year with 10, one shy of the Club’s single-season record.
Cincinnati comes into the weekend after falling 2-1 to Philadelphia Union this past weekend. The Union scored on both sides of the break to take a two-goal lead thanks to finishes from Kacper Przybylko and Paxten Aaronson, with Cincinnati getting one back in the 82nd from Haris Medunjanin only for the rally to come up short.
Brenner leads the Orange and Blue with seven finishes this season, followed by Luciano Acosta with six. Acosta holds the team high in assists, with nine to his credit.
Following Saturday’s match, the Lions face a quick turnaround, set to host CF Montréal on Wednesday, Oct. 20 at Exploria Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m. ET with tickets available here or by calling (855) ORL-CITY.
