ORLANDO, Fla. – Orlando City SC (1-3-1, 4 points) defeated Austin FC (0-2-3, 3 points) 2-0 on Saturday night at INTER&Co Stadium for their first win on the season. Jack Lynn’s 42nd minute goal, the first of his career, proved to be the difference maker.
The Lions were the first to break into the scoring column just before halftime. Dagur Dan Thórhallsson was able to corral a pass deep in the Austin defensive third and send a cross to the far post. Jack Lynn, in his first career start, was waiting behind the defense and guided in a header for his first MLS goal to give the Lions a 1-0 advantage.
Orlando City was able to extend its lead in the second half after a Nico Lodeiro shot was blocked by an Austin defender, but a handball was called just outside the box. Lodeiro stepped up and took the ensuing free kick and the ball was drilled past the goalkeeper into the top-left corner of the net.
Goalkeeper Mason Stajduhar earned the start in between the sticks on the night and made one save on his way to earn the clean sheet. It is the Club’s second clean sheet of the regular season and Stajduhar’s first of the year.
The Lions will stay at home for their next match, hosting the New York Red Bulls at INTER&Co Stadium on Saturday, March 30 on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, with kick off set for 7:30 p.m. ET.
Scoring Summary:
42’ Jack Lynn (Dagur Dan Thórhallsson, Nico Lodeiro) – ORL 1, ATX 0
As the end of the first half approached, the Lions were able to break a scoreless draw after Dagur Dan Thórhallsson sent in a cross from outside the box to the back post where Jack Lynn’s header found the back of the net.
64’ Nico Lodeiro – ORL 2, ATX 0
After a handball was called on Austin FC and the Lions were awarded a free kick just outside the Austin box, Orlando City extended its lead thanks to a Nico Lodeiro free kick that was drilled past the goalkeeper into the top-left corner of the net.
Head Coach Oscar Pareja:
“After difficult weeks, the boys always held on to the belief that we had good preparation that has to happen before even without having a result. But today was complete. We had a good performance and we had players just getting closer to their best performance. But we got the result. We scored goals, we had volume, we had the initiative to play the way we are. We controlled a team that had a lot of speed, especially in the flanks. So, we’re happy. Congratulations to the footballers, happy to see them enjoy the game and result.”
Match Notes
- Jack Lynn scored his first ever MLS goal for the Lions on the night with a 42nd-minute header.
- Nico Lodeiro notched his second tally for Orlando City across all competitions since joining the Club via free agency this offseason. Lodeiro also provided his second helper in purple on Lynn’s goal.
- Midfielder Dagur Dan Thórhallsson provided his second assist of the year across all competitions on the Jack Lynn tally.
- With the start in the match, defender Kyle Smith made his 150th appearance for Orlando City across all competitions joining captain Robin Jansson as the only other player in Club history to hit that milestone.
- Goalkeeper Mason Stajduhar earned his third clean sheet of his career and his first of the season. Stajduhar’s last clean sheet came on Decision Day in 2023 with a 2-0 win over Toronto FC.
- Forward Jack Lynn earned his first MLS start for the Lions on the night.
- Head Coach Oscar Pareja made three changes to his starting lineup from his side’s last match against Atlanta United FC, with Jack Lynn, Rodrigo Schlegel and Mason Stajduhar all getting the start.
