3 – Hard luck losses
Orlando City have lost five games this season, but a few bounces going the other way could have easily reversed three of them. The Lions have had a higher expected goals (xG) tally than their opponents in three of their five losses, most recently this past weekend against Atlanta (1.65-1.09). Typically, this tends to even out over the course of a season.
90’+4’ – Late, late, late equalizer
Orlando City’s lone result against Seattle came in their last trip to CenturyLink Field in 2017. Late substitute PC made a 50 yard run with the ball to win a free kick just outside the area. Club legend Kaka delivered the ball on a platter for Scott Sutter, whose diving header found the back of the net. It was the very last play of the match, as full time was whistled immediately upon the ensuing kickoff.
0 – Seattle home losses
Despite the heroics on their last visit, the Lions face an extremely stiff test on Wednesday night in Seattle. The Sounders are 5-0-2 at home this year, including wins over Houston and Toronto and a 1-1 draw with LAFC despite being down a man for over 70 minutes. The Sounders have lost just one mid-week match at home in the past four seasons, against Philadelphia last September.
10 – Cincinnati goals
It’s been a bit of a rough start for Sunday’s opponent. FC Cincinnati relieved head coach Alan Koch of his duties after a 2-7-2 start, and have just 10 goals through 12 matches, the fewest of any team in MLS. Cincinnati did pick up a win this past weekend, slotting two past stubborn Montreal in a 2-1 victory.
29 – Yoann Damet’s age
Cincinnati interim coach Yoann Damet turned 29 in March, making him the youngest head coach in the history of Major League Soccer. Damet has seven players on his own squad that are older than he is, and Orlando count five among their number that were born before Damet (Will Johnson, Sacha Kljestan, Nani, Lamine Sane, and Brian Rowe). Damet began his coaching career at age 16, coaching the U13s at French six-tier side Beaune FC.
