1 - Head Start
Orlando City SC defeated the Houston Dynamo 1-0 to record its first win in MLS franchise history on March 13, 2015. Pedro Ribeiro created the game-winning goal late in the second half just 20 minutes after entering the match. Ribeiro deflected Houston goalkeeper Tyler Deric’s attempted clearance and the two battled as the ball bounced towards the net. Deric was credited with an own-goal.
2 - Unblemished
Orlando City has never allowed a goal against Houston. Saturday marks the third all-time meeting between both teams. After capturing their first MLS win in franchise history with a 1-0 victory in 2015, the Lions hosted the Dynamo at Camping World Stadium last season. Again, City shutout Houston in a scoreless draw. Orlando City held over 62% of possession throughout the match. Houston’s best scoring chance came in the 89th minute when then-Dynamo forward Giles Barnes hit the post from the top of the box.
3 - We Know How You Feel
Houston is coming off a 2-0 loss against Toronto FC. Jozy Altidore opened the scoring early in the first half and his brace captured three points for the Reds. The Lions then had a shot against Toronto and hopes were high with captain Kaká in the starting XI for the first time since Opening Day. Kaká scored at the end of the first half but despite controlling the majority of the play and dominating the second half, Orlando City fell 2-1.
4 - A Nice Change of Pace
Orlando City is the only team in MLS without a draw. Last season the Lions recorded 14 draws, which was tied with San Jose for second most in the league behind LA Galaxy’s 16.
5 - Purple > Orange
Servando Carrasco and Giles Barnes will be facing their former team when the Lions take on the Dynamo. Carrasco made his Dynamo debut in November 2013 when he subbed on for the final 18 minutes of Houston’s 1-0 win over Philadelphia. The San Diego, Calif., native went on to make nine starts among 19 appearances in 2013 and 2014. Carrasco was acquired from Sporting KC on July 20, 2015.
Barnes joined the Dynamo in August 2012 and scored his first MLS goal in March 2013 when the Dynamo defeated Vancouver Whitecaps 2-1. The London native was named Houston’s MVP and Players’ Player of the Year in 2014 after leading the team with the most goals scored for the second consecutive year. Barnes was named team captain in 2016 before being traded to Vancouver Whitecaps.
Additionally, Houston defender Jalil Anibaba was Orlando City’s third pick in the 2014 MLS Expansion Draft. City traded Anibaba to Sporting KC for Aurélien Collin on Dec. 8, 2014. On the same day, Orlando City also acquired goalkeeper Tally Hall, who won two consecutive MLS Cups with Houston in 2011 and 2012.
6 - Bendik: The Best In The Biz
Orlando City goalkeeper Joe Bendik has continued his outstanding form since joining the Lions in December 2015 and was named MLS Player of the Month in April. Bendik has posted three clean sheets and has only allowed seven goals through eight games this season. The former Clemson Tiger was second in MLS with 114 saves in 2016 and won MLS Save of the Week 11 times and MLS Save of the Year. Bendik has played every minute in goal for City since the beginning of 2016.
7 - Lions Taming The Wild West
Orlando City is 2-0 against the Western Conference this season. The Lions claimed a 2-1 win over the LA Galaxy on April 15 when Will Johnson scored his first goal of the season and Cyle Larin netted the game-winning goal in stoppage-time. Two weeks later, Carlos Rivas blasted home his first goal of the season and Kaka put the win on ice as City capped off a 2-0 win over the Colorado Rapids.
8 - Back to Business
Captain Kaká started for the first time since Opening Day against Toronto FC after returning from injury in the second half against Colorado. In his return the captain tapped in Cyle Larin’s shot that bounced off the post in stoppage time. Then on Wednesday against Toronto, he scored his second goal of 2017 in 86 minutes when he scored a shot into the roof of the net in first-half stoppage time.
