Orlando City (7-8-7, 27 points) at New England Revolution (7-12-1, 22 points)
When: Saturday, 7:30 p.m
Where: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA
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 take on the New England Revolution on the road:
Flying High
Orlando City’s attack has reached historic heights in the last few weeks, with the Lions’ offense scoring 15 goals in their last five matches played. That tally stands as the most goals the Club has ever scored in a five-match span in its MLS history. Orlando City’s previous five-game best was 14 goals scored from March 31 to April 29, 2018. That 2018 team scored 17 goals in six matches, setting the Lions up for a chance to best their six-game record with three goals on Saturday night.
Climbing the Ladder
Their attacking production has led the Lions on a climb up the Eastern Conference standings in the past four matches, with three wins out of their last four games played. With the results, Orlando City has climbed all the way up from 14th place to seventh place on the current Eastern Conference table in just two weeks' time. The top seven teams in each conference automatically qualify for the best-of-three series in Round One of the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs, putting the Lions in a much better position heading into the last few weeks before Leagues Cup 2024 kicks off.
Summer of Facu Pt. 2
Orlando City’s Cuervo continued his summer tear on Saturday night, scoring a goal and providing two secondary assists in the match. Facundo Torres has added four tallies and provided three helpers in his last five appearances. On a night where Kaká was inducted as the Club’s first-ever honoree for the Legends’ Terrace, Torres tied the legend for fourth all-time with 22 career assists, tied passed the Brazilian for third-most MLS goal contributions in Club history with his 46th, 47th and 48th all-time, and had his 11th all-time multi-goal contribution game to surpass Kaká and set a new Club record.
Peruvian Passing
Orlando City’s Wilder Cartagena was all over the pitch in Saturday night’s 5-0 win over D.C. United. The Peruvian midfielder picked up the assist on Robin Jansson’s 23rd-minute goal, crossing the ball right onto the Swedish center back’s head, while completing 95.1% of his 78 attempted passes, creating two total chances and winning two tackles. Since his return from Peru’s Copa América stint, Orlando City has allowed just one goal in two games with Cartagena on the field, winning both matches and scoring seven goals.
Orlando’s Omaha Olympian
Orlando City Forward Duncan McGuire, who picked up the assist on Facundo Torres’ 74th-minute goal in Saturday night’s win, was officially named to the U.S. roster for the 2024 Paris Olympics, becoming the Lions’ first-ever Olympian. The United States has qualified for its first Olympic games in soccer since the Beijing 2008 games and will open Group Stage action against hosts France on July 24.
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 one start away from 100 in all competitions
- Facundo Torres (22) is one assist away from passing Kaká (22) for fourth on the Club’s all-time assist chart, and two assists away from tying Chris Mueller (24) for third.
