+1.09 - Orlando expected to win
Orlando City was remarkably consistent in the group stage, achieving a higher expected goals (xG) value than their opponents in each of the three games. Orlando were 0.35 xG better than both Inter Miami and NYCFC, while improving to 0.39 xG better than Philadelphia, lending credence to head coach Oscar Pareja’s post-game claim that his team could have won the game.
10 - Pereyra putting in work
Mauricio Pereyra’s primary job for Orlando City is to make plays, which he’s done often since joining the Lions. Pereyra had three key passes in Monday’s game against Philadelphia and even had the hockey assist on his own goal. But perhaps most impressive about Pereyra in that game was his work when Philadelphia had the ball–despite being a No. 10, Pereyra led Orlando City in ball recoveries with ten, often kickstarting an Orlando attack.
100 - Nani’s milestone
Orlando City’s last game against Montreal was a big one for captain Luis Nani, who scored a first half penalty kick for his 100th career goal. Nani has netted 13 times for Orlando City, which marks the third-most goals he has scored for any one club, behind Manchester United and his hometown Sporting CP.
22 - Passes in one sequence
That game last season also featured the Lions’ most famous goal of 2019, a 22-pass sequence that ended with Will Johnson’s driving header into the back of the net. It’s glorious:
