On the Offensive
City’s five goals on Sunday served as a season-high and one shy of the Club’s single-game record that came on Sept. 27, 2017 in a 6-1 victory over New England Revolution. Nani recorded his second brace of the season, with back-to-back goals in the 50th and 59th minutes respectively. His finish in the 59th minute also served as the 200th goal for the Lions in MLS play. In addition to Nani’s two goals on the afternoon, Tesho Akindele recorded his first brace as a Lion and the third of his MLS career, earning himself a spot on the MLS Team of the Week Bench.
Against the West
The Lions have favored well when hosting Western Conference opponents this season, holding a 2-0-0 record in these contests. This includes a thrilling 4-3 victory against the Colorado Rapids on April 6 in a match that saw Nani score his first two goals as a Lion and a 1-0 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps on April 20. In 2018, City boasted a 3-2-1 record against the West at Orlando City Stadium with wins against Portland, San Jose and Real Salt Lake in that stretch. All three of those wins were a part of the Lions’ Club-record six-game win streak.
Home Field Advantage
In the four matches the Lions have played against the LA Galaxy throughout Club history, the home team has taken all three points in each contest. In 2015, the Lions hosted the then-reigning MLS Cup Champions in a match that resulted in a 4-0 victory for the home side, with the win serving as the first at home in Club history in the MLS era. In 2017, the Lions earned a 2-1 result against the visiting Galaxy. Former Lion Cyle Larin scored the game-winner in the 91st minute, leading the Lions to become the first team in MLS history to open a stadium with four-consecutive wins, a streak they would extend to five games later that season.
The Assist Men
Four different Lions recorded an assist in Sunday’s victory. Will Johnson and João Moutinho each tallied an assist on City’s first goal of the afternoon from Tesho Akindele. This served as the first assist for Johnson this season and his fifth as a Lion, while Moutinho recorded his third of 2019. Mountinho trails only Nani on the squad, who has four assists through the 2019 campaign. Ruan registered the assist on Nani’s second goal on the day, his second of the season. Josué Colmán added the last of the four total assists for City on Sunday, recording one on the last goal of the contest. Colmán tallied five assists in his first season as a Lion in 2018, good for fourth on the team.
Milestone Tracker
- City’s match on Friday will serve as its 150th in MLS play.
- Midfielder Cristian Higuita is three appearances away from his 100th MLS cap and one start away from his 80th as a Lion.
- Midfielder Will Johnson is two starts away from his 60th for City, trailing only Higuita and Kaka for most by a midfielder in Club history
