The 10,000 Minute Man
With a start on Saturday night, defender Robin Jansson should become the first player in Orlando City history to reach 10,000 minutes played for the Club, set to reach that mark in the 34th minute of play. The Viking currently sits at second all-time in appearances for the Club with 112, 14 shy of former Lion Chris Mueller, and leads the Club in MLS starts throughout its history with 94 since joining Orlando City in 2019.
The New Kid in Town
On Wednesday, City announced its newest signing in 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup champion Niko Gioacchini from Stade Malherbe Caen of France’s Ligue 2. A product of Paris FC’s youth academy system, Gioacchini joined SM Caen ahead of their 2019 Ligue 2 season, most recently spending the 2021/22 season on loan at Montpellier HSC in Ligue 1. The American has registered eight caps for the U.S. Men’s National Team, scoring three goals and providing two assists for the U.S., including five appearances, one goal and one helper in the 2021 Gold Cup championship run.
The First for El Capitan
Mauricio Pereyra scored his first goal of the season for the Lions in their last league outing against Atlanta United FC, striking a free kick from outside the area straight into the top-left corner of the net. Pereyra now sits with five goals in all competitions as a Lion in addition to being the Club’s all-time assist leader with 33.
At the Midweek
City took a brief break from league play on Wednesday night, hosting English Premier League side Arsenal FC at Exploria Stadium in a friendly match as part of the club’s US Tour in conjunction with Florida Cup’s FC Series. Ultimately falling 3-1 on the night, Facundo Torres scored a highlight reel goal for the Lions, bringing down a ball from Antonio Carlos and finding his footing, cutting on his left foot and firing his shot past a diving Aaron Ramsdale.
Last Time Against the Union
The Lions last hosted the Union earlier this year in U.S. Open Cup play, taking a 2-1 victory in the Round of 32 of the nation’s oldest cup competition on May 10. Ercan Kara and Andrés Perea each scored for the Lions in what served as each of their first Open Cup goals and Perea’s first of the campaign.
Milestone Tracker
- Mauricio Pereyra’s next assist will make him the first player in Orlando City history to post multiple double-digit assist seasons in MLS.
- Pedro Gallese’s next clean sheet will set a new Orlando City career high as his eighth clean sheet of the season.
- Ercan Kara is three regular-season goals away from reaching double digits for the season.
- Antonio Carlos’ next start will mark his 60th as a Lion.
