24 - Helping hands
Orlando City’s attack has been a team effort under Oscar Pareja and the Lions are reaping the rewards on the scoreboard. The Lions lead MLS with 24 assists on the season, two ahead of the Seattle Sounders for the top spot. Those helpers have produced 19 goals, good for fourth in the league. Tesho Akindele, Chris Mueller and Mauricio Pereyra all have four assists on the year while Nani has chipped in three.
3 - Shutdown Schlegel
While the circumstances weren’t ideal, as Antonio Carlos was forced into an early exit due to injury, Rodrigo Schlegel made his return to the pitch for Orlando City on Saturday night and was again effective, as the Lions conceded just once in his 76 minutes on the pitch. Overall, Orlando has allowed just three goals across Schlegel’s 616 minutes played this season.
3 (again) - All about Aliseda
Chicago’s Young DP Ignacio Aliseda was scoreless and assist-less for his first five appearances of 2021, battling injuries and a general malaise around the team’s attack. On Saturday against Atlanta United, though, Aliseda broke out in a big way, scoring twice and assisting a third goal in the Fire’s 3-0 victory over the Five Stripes. The Argentine was named MLS Player of the Week.
4.3 - Painful profligacy
Orlando City beat Wednesday night’s opponent Chicago Fire FC last season by a 4-1 scoreline, but the game wasn’t nearly so comfortable for the Lions for most of its duration. The Fire had two goals called back by VAR, hit the woodwork twice and saw a penalty kick saved by Pedro Gallese. All in all, Chicago racked up 4.3 expected goals, by far the highest total any team put on Orlando City last year, but only came up with one goal for their efforts.
1.5 - FAIRWINDS Credit Union
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