Orlando City (9-10-7, 34 points) vs Nashville SC (6-12-8, 26 points)
When: Saturday, 7:30 p.m
Where: Inter&Co Stadium, Orlando, Fla.
TV: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV (free)
Radio: 96.9 the Game FM, (English), Mega 97.1 (Spanish)
Here are five storylines to watch on Saturday as the Lions host Nashville SC:
Last Time on Stage
The last time the Lions and Nashville SC faced each other was just over a month ago on July 17 at GEODIS Park in Nashville. Orlando City walked away from the contest absolutely dominating the home side in a 3-0 shutout victory to take all three points and extend its run against the Tennessee side. The Lions saw goals from César Araújo, and own goal from Nashville’s Alex Muyl and Ramiro Enrique with his third goal in as many consecutive contests at the time. Orlando City will try to sweep the season series this weekend at Inter&Co Stadium.
Still in the Hunt
With eight games left to play in the 2024 Major League Soccer regular season, Orlando City currently resides in seventh place in the Eastern Conference table and would avoid the Wildcard matches if the season ended today. Despite the loss over the weekend, the Lions remain just four points behind sixth-place Charlotte FC and five behind fifth-place New York City FC. With a one-point lead on Toronto FC, the Lions need to keep producing points down the final stretch of the season to lock themselves in for their fifth-consecutive Audi MLS Cup Playoffs appearance.
As Hot as Nashville Chicken
Orlando City has been on a hot streak of late in its series against Eastern Conference rivals Nashville SC, winning four consecutive matches against the Tennessee-based side across all competitions. In those four straight wins, the Lions have scored six goals and conceded none against Nashville, with three of those four victories taking place on Nashville’s home ground. Orlando City swept Nashville last year in the Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs with consecutive 1-0 wins.
New Leadership
This weekend’s matchup with Nashville SC will mark the first time that the two sides will meet under Nashville’s new Head Coach, with new manager B.J. Callaghan taking over at the helm of the Coyotes after the Lions’ 3-0 win earlier this season. Callaghan has never faced Orlando City as a head coach, having most recently served as an assistant on Gregg Berhalter’s coaching staff at the U.S. Men’s National Team.
Pride of Omaha
Orlando City SC and forward Duncan McGuire have agreed to a new contract that will keep the 2024 Olympian in the City Beautiful through 2027, with a Club option in 2028. McGuire, 23, has made 42 starts in 63 appearances all-time for Orlando City, scoring 23 goals and providing five assists. In 2024, the forward has tallied eight goals and two helpers to date across all competitions, resulting in him being selected to represent the U.S. Men’s National Team at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. The Omaha, Nebraska native made two starts in four appearances for the U.S. in their first appearance at the Olympics since 2008, helping the side advance to the knockout rounds.
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.
- Facundo Torres (24) is one assist away from passing Chris Mueller (24) for third on the Club’s all-time assist chart and two away from tying former captain Nani (26) for second.
- Torres also sits just five goals away from the all-time Club record set by Cyle Larin (44) across all competitions.
