Orlando City (6-8-7, 24 points) vs D.C. United (4-10-8, 20 points)
When: Saturday, 7:30 p.m
Where: INTER&Co Stadium, Orlando, FL
TV: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
Radio: 96.9 the Game FM, (English), Mega 97.1 (Spanish)
Here are five storylines to watch on Saturday as the Lions host D.C. United:
Tincho’s Touch
Orlando City midfielder Martín Ojeda started his second match in a row in the Lions’ last match, making his impact felt in the Club’s 2-1 win over Toronto FC at BMO Field at the midweek. Ojeda scored the Lions’ equalizing goal in the 27th minute and was a key piece of the play that led to Toronto FC’s game-winning own goal for the Lions in the 45th minute, dribbling up the center of the Reds’ formation and feeding the ball down the right to Facundo Torres. The Argentine earned MLS Team of the Matchday Bench honors for his efforts at the midweek match.
Southern Support
Ojeda wasn’t the only South American player impacting the attacking proceedings against Toronto FC on Wednesday night, as both forwards Iván Angulo and Facundo Torres were credited with the assists, Angulo the primary and Torres the secondary, on Ojeda’s equalizing goal. Torres also finished off the play that bounced off Nickseon Gomis’ leg for the game-winning own goal. Torres (20), Angulo (17) and Ojeda (15) currently rank fifth, sixth and seventh respectively on Orlando City’s all-time assist chart across all competitions. Torres currently sits just two helpers from tying Club legend Kaká for fourth.
Firing Up
The Lions’ attack has started firing up over the last few matches, scoring two goals to lift Orlando City to three points up north in Canada. The Lions have now scored at least twice in each of their past four matches, the first time that Orlando City has achieved that mark since August 21 – September 7, 2022. In the Club’s recent four-game stretch, the Lions have scored 10 goals, their most since scoring 11 in four matches from June 19 – July 3, 2021.
Legends’ Night
On Saturday night, Ballon d’Or winner and World Cup champion Kaká will become the inaugural inductee to Orlando City’s Legends’ Terrace, honoring those who have made a lasting impact on Orlando City and Orlando Pride. Kaká came to the City Beautiful 10 years ago this week as the Club’s first captain and Designated Player, putting Orlando City on the map as a major player in MLS. The Brazilian scored 25 goals and added 22 assists in his three seasons with the Lions. Kaká will be honored in a ceremony following Orlando City’s match against D.C. United.
Chasing The Legends
Orlando City Forward Duncan McGuire finds himself this weekend just a few goals shy of equaling Kaká in terms of goals scored for the Lions across all competitions. McGuire currently stands sixth all-time on the Club’s scoring charts with 23 goals to his name. The Omaha-native’s next goal would see him equal former Lion Dom Dwyer for fifth all-time at 24 and a brace against D.C. United would see him go level with Kaká for fourth at 25 with the legend in the building.
Milestone Tracker:
- Duncan McGuire is one goal away from tying Dom Dwyer (24) for fifth on Orlando City’s all-time scoring list and two goals away from tying Kaká (25) for fourth
- Rodrigo Schlegel and Kyle Smith are both two starts away from 100 in all competitions
- Facundo Torres (20) is two assists away from tying Kaká (22) for fourth on the Club’s all-time assist chart
