Orlando City at Tampa Bay Rowdies
When: Wednesday, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Al Lang Stadium, St. Petersburg, Fla.
TV: Paramount+ (subscription required)
Here are five storylines to watch on Saturday as the Lions play in St. Petersburg against the Rowdies:
I-4 Derby Renewed
Wednesday’s meeting between Orlando City SC and the Tampa Bay Rowdies in the Round of 32 of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup will see the two sides reignite the historical I-4 Derby for the second time in four years. The Lions have dominated the series historically against the Rowdies, going a perfect 7-0-0 in competitive matches against the St. Petersburg-based side, scoring 20 goals against Tampa Bay and only conceding eight for a +12 competitive goal differential in the rivalry series all-time.
Pedro Pulpo Gallese
As he has been in seven of the Lions’ last eight consecutive undefeated matches, missing only one for international duty with his native Peru, goalkeeper Pedro Gallese was dominant and crucial for Orlando City in the Club’s scoreless draw at Soldier Field against Chicago Fire FC this past Saturday. The Peruvian netminder faced eight shots throughout the match and saved each one, including two separate scenarios in which he had to come up with double saves to keep the Fire off the board. The eight stops were the most Gallese has made in a single match during the 2025 campaign, earning MLS Team of the Matchday honors for his efforts.
We Love an Open Cup
City holds an 18-10-5 record in the competition dating back to the 2011 campaign. The Lions’ have a storied history in the competition, including winning the Club’s first trophy in its MLS era by claiming the 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup with a 3-1 win over Sacramento Republic FC in the final, playing all six matches at Inter&Co Stadium, as well as the legendary “Running of the Wall” game against New York City FC at Inter&Co Stadium in 2019.
Cleaning Up
526 – the number of minutes played in game since the last time Orlando City conceded a goal in competition. Within their eight-game undefeated run, the Lions have gone 526 consecutive minutes without conceding a goal, keeping five straight clean sheets in their last five matches as well. Goalkeeper Pedro Gallese has played in net for all five of those matches, making 17 saves in those contests to keep the shutouts for the Lions and becoming just the fourth goalkeeper in MLS since the start of 2020 to post five consecutive shutouts.
Lucky Number Seven
The last time Orlando City faced off against the Tampa Bay Rowdies in competition was in the Third Round of the 2022 edition of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in what would serve as the Lions’ first of six matches en route to winning their first trophy of the Club’s MLS era, ultimately claiming the 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Orlando City took down the Rowdies via a 2-1 scoreline at Inter&Co Stadium, seeing a penalty-kick goal from Pato in the 52nd minute and the game-winner from Júnior Urso just 11 minutes later in the 63rd minute.
Milestone Tracker:
- Martín Ojeda (26) is one helper away from taking over second place all-time for most assists in Club history across all competitions, currently tied with former captain Nani.
- Duncan McGuire (26) sits fourth on Orlando City’s all-time scoring list and is five goals away from tying former captain Nani (31) across all competitions for third.
-Martín Ojeda’s next appearance for the Lions will be his 100th across all competitions.
- A win or draw would extend the Lions’ current unbeaten streak to nine matches.
