FRISCO, Texas (Sept. 27, 2020) - Orlando City SC (7-2-5, 26 points) battled to a scoreless draw with FC Dallas (5-3-5, 20 points) on Sunday night at Toyota Stadium in a match that served as the first visit to Frisco for Head Coach Oscar Pareja since making his return to Major League Soccer.
The Lions earned their eighth-consecutive result despite being reduced to 10 men in the 69th minute of play when midfielder Sebastián Méndez was shown a second yellow card and forced to exit the match. Goalkeeper Pedro Gallese earned his second clean sheet of the season and his third across all competitions, making four saves to keep the Toros scoreless on the night.
Head Coach Oscar Pareja:
“It was a point and we’ll take it. We’re proud after such effort that the players had on the field, but knowing that we had the majority of the options and the personality and most importantly the consistency during the game, that was something that we were asking the players. We feel that it was not enough for us, the point, and it’s not a bad feeling. When you go away and play against good teams and you walk it out with a tie and it’s not enough, that just gives me good sensations about this team. One of our best games, the way that I wanted them to play and the way we all wanted to do the things, without a doubt one of the best ones. But not finishing in the last third, we didn’t have the solutions, but that will come.”
Match Notes:
- With the draw, City extended its Club-record unbeaten streak to eight matches, finishing their September slate unbeaten at 3-0-3 and 5-0-3 overall.
- Goalkeeper Pedro Gallese registered his second clean sheet of the MLS regular season, his last coming in the Lions’ 2020 opener on Feb. 29 in a scoreless draw against Real Salt Lake.
- The Lions were reduced to 10 men for the first time this season when Sebastián Méndez was shown a second yellow card in the 69th minute of play.
- Sunday’s match served as Head Coach Oscar Pareja’s first visit to FC Dallas since making his return to Major League Soccer, where he served at the helm from the 2014-18 seasons.
- The contest marked forward Tesho Akindele’s return to Frisco for the first time since he was traded from Dallas to Orlando on Dec. 9, 2018. Akindele spent five seasons with the Toros from 2014-18 that included 2014 MLS Rookie of the Year honors.
- Next Match: The Lions return home to Exploria Stadium to host the New York Red Bulls on Saturday, Oct. 3 in an intraconference matchup.
Scoring Summary:
None
Misconduct Summary:
FCD - Andrés Ricaurte (Yellow Card) 45+3’
FCD - Franco Jara (Yellow Card) 57’
ORL - Sebastián Méndez (Yellow Card) 64’
ORL - Sebastián Méndez (Second Yellow Card) 69’
ORL - Sebastián Méndez (Red Card) 69’
FCD - Thiago Santos (Yellow Card) 87’
ORL - Nani (Yellow Card) 90+7’
Lineups/Substitutions:
Orlando City SC - GK Pedro Gallese; D Kyle Smith, Robin Jansson, Rodrigo Schlegel, Ruan (Kamal Miller 23’); M Mauricio Pereyra (Andrés Perea 73’), Sebastián Méndez, Júnior Urso, Chris Mueller (Benji Michel 63’); F Tesho Akindele (Daryl Dike 63’), Nani ©
Substitutes Not Used: GK Brian Rowe; D Alex De John; M Jordan Bender, Joey DeZart, Robinho
FC Dallas - GK Jimmy Maurer; D Bryan Reynolds, Reto Ziegler ©, Matt Hedges, Ryan Hollingshead; M Bryan Acosta (Tanner Tessmann 66’), Thiago Santos, Santiago Mosquera (Fafa Picault 21’), Andrés Ricaurte (Jesús Ferreira 66’), Michael Barrios (Ricardo Pepi 89’); F Franco Jara
Substitutes Not Used: GK Phelipe; D Bressan, John Nelson; M Brandon Servania; F Dante Sealy
Details of the Game:
Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
Weather: Clear
Date: September 27, 2020
Stats:
Possession:
FCD - 46.6%
ORL - 53.4%
Shots:
FCD - 14
ORL - 17
Saves:
FCD - 3
ORL - 4
Fouls:
FCD - 13
ORL - 13
Corners:
FCD - 6
ORL - 6
Heineken Star of the Match: Mauricio Pereyra
