Orlando City vs Nashville SC
When: Wednesday, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Inter&Co Stadium, Orlando, Fla.
Attend: Single-Match Tickets
TV: Paramount+ (subscription required)
Here are five storylines to watch on Wednesday as the Lions host Nashville:
Lions Flying High
Orlando City’s attack has been flying high so far in 2025, especially over the Club’s last four games. The Lions have scored 14 goals in their past four games, the most they has ever scored in a four-game span in Club history. The Lions’ record for a five-game stretch is 16 goals, set from June 22 – July 13, 2024. Through 14 regular season games, City has scored three goals in a game a league-leading six times in 2025, passing up the San Jose Earthquakes, Philadelphia Union and, Saturday’s rival, the Portland Timbers with five games. The Lions have also scored the second-most goals in the league (27), tied with the Union and trailing only San Jose (29).
Florida is Purple
One of those three-goal games came this past Sunday night in Fort Lauderdale as the Lions dominated Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami CF at Chase Stadium. Designated Players Luis Muriel and Marco Pašalić both found the back of the net, while Dagur Dan Thórhallsson added the insurance goal in second-half stoppage time to secure the shutout win over the Lions’ intrastate rivals and also to hand Messi his first loss by three or more goals in 313 career club matches. Orlando City’s defense was not to be outdone on Sunday night, as the Club was the first team to shut out Inter Miami at Chase Stadium since FC Cincinnati did it on October 7, 2023, a run of 24 consecutive home games with a goal for the Herons.
We Love an Open Cup – Round of 16 Edition
Wednesday’s matchup in the Round of 16 will not be the first time that Orlando City and Nashville FC have faced each other in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. The last time these two sides faced off in the historic cup competition, was in the Quarterfinals in the Lions’ 2022 Open Cup winning run. The Eastern Conference sides battled to a 1-1 draw after 90 minutes, with Rodrigo Schlegel scoring the tying goal for the Lions in the fourth minute of second-half stoppage time to send the match to extra time and the ensuing penalty-kick shootout. Orlando City converted six penalties to take the shootout 6-5 and advance, ultimately claiming the Club’s first trophy in its MLS era.
Joy For Joran
The Lions have had a long and successful history with the MLS SuperDraft, selecting notable standouts Cyle Larin, Chris Mueller, Daryl Dike and current Lions forward Duncan McGuire. Rookie midfielder Joran Gerbet, selected No. 27 overall by Orlando City in the 2025 MLS SuperDraft, is making his case to be added to the Club’s list of successes. Gerbet has made 11 appearances, seven starts and has provided one assists so far in his professional career with the Lions, including a great performance in the Club’s 3-0 win over Inter Miami on Sunday night. Gerbet marked Messi most of the night, limiting him to just two shots on target, while winning more than half his duels and contributing a game-high 11 ball recoveries and two tackles. Gerbet also played a key role in the Lions’ midfield distribution, posting a 93.5% passing accuracy.
Nashville Blues
The Lions have drastically switched up the momentum in their all-time series against Nashville SC. After winning just once in the first nine meetings between the two sides, Orlando City has won five consecutive games against the Tennessee-based side in all competitions dating back to October 2023. The Lions have not conceded a single goal to the Coyotes across those five matches and have gone 466 consecutive minutes without allowing a goal against Nashville SC’s attack.
Milestone Tracker:
- Duncan McGuire (27) sits fourth on Orlando City’s all-time scoring list and is four goals away from tying former captain Nani (31) across all competitions for third.
- A win or draw would extend the Lions’ current unbeaten streak to 13 matches across all competitions.
