Orlando City (10-10-7, 37 points) vs New England Revolution (8-15-3, 27 points)
When: Saturday, 7:30 p.m
Where: Inter&Co Stadium, Orlando, Fla.
TV: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
Radio: Real Radio 104.1, (English), Mega 97.1 (Spanish)
Here are five storylines to watch on Saturday as the Lions host New England Revolution:
On The Gridiron
Orlando City SC achieved a historic victory last time out against the New England Revolution when the two teams faced off against each other at Gillette Stadium on July 13. The Lions took their first win at the NFL stadium in Club history. The Revolution led the match going into the halftime break behind a goal from Giacomo Vrioni, but the Lions came storming back in the second half as Facundo Torres recorded a brace for himself, sandwiched around forward Ramiro Enrique’s game-winner in the 58th minute to secure the 3-1 comeback win for Orlando.
Defend The Den
The Lions enter the final stretch of the 2024 MLS regular season with seven matches left to play. Orlando City’s next two matches, and four of its last seven contests, will take place in downtown Orlando at Inter&Co Stadium. Entering Saturday’s match with the Revolution, the Lions are undefeated at Inter&Co Stadium in their last seven games, dating back to June 15, and have outscored their opposition 18-5 across those seven contests. Forward Facundo Torres has six times in that undefeated run, with forwards Ramiro Enrique and Iván Angulo adding four and three additional tallies respectively.
Pulpo Pushing 150
With his next appearance, Orlando City SC goalkeeper Pedro Gallese will become just the third player in Club history to appear in at least 150 matches across all competitions for the Lions. During his time in downtown Orlando, El Pulpo has set new Club records for total saves (414), clean sheets (43) and goalkeeper wins (67), as well as being the only goalkeeper for the Lions to play more than 10,000 minutes (13,508).
On The Hunt
Orlando City SC comes off the international break in strong form, going 6-2-2 in its last 10 regular season matchups dating back to June 19, climbing from 14th place to seventh place in that span. Following their run over the last 10 MLS games, the Lions are pushing themselves further into the playoff picture and into the hunt for homefield advantage. The Lions sit just six points out of that fourth-place spot for homefield advantage, with a game in hand on the New York Red Bulls who currently occupy that spot and will take on Charlotte FC next week who sit in sixth place.
Lions Going International
Orlando City SC saw four First Team players called up to represent their respective national teams in this last international window including David Brekalo for Slovenia, Facundo Torres for Uruguay, and Wilder Cartagena and Pedro Gallese for Peru. Gallese and Cartagena both started for Peru in both of their World Cup Qualifying matches against Colombia and Ecuador, while Torres made substitute appearances for Uruguay in their matches against Paraguay and Venezuela. Brekalo started both of Slovenia’s UEFA Nations League matches, playing right back for his country instead of the center-back position that he plays for the Lions.
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 three goals away from the all-time Club record set by Cyle Larin (44) across all competitions.
