Here are five storylines to watch for Saturday's away fixture as the Lions head to Nashville:
Academy Rising
With Orlando City B playing its MLS NEXT Pro match against Carolina Core FC on Saturday afternoon and the Lions’ first team hosting CF Montréal at Inter&Co Stadium that evening, both squads featured goalkeepers developed through the Orlando City Academy. Goalkeeper Javier Otero started for Orlando City with Maxime Crépeau suspended for his red card against NYCFC, which moved OCB goalkeeper Tristan Himes to the first-team bench. OCB goalkeeper Juan Rojas made his MLS NEXT Pro debut in the matchup with Carolina, while current Academy goalkeeper Melo Murrillo served as his backup. Otero, Himes and Rojas are all products of the Orlando City Academy, while Murrillo remains in the system. All four played roles in helping the Lions and OCB secure wins on Saturday.
Moving on Up
Forward Duncan McGuire opened his 2026 scoring account in Orlando City’s 2-1 win over CF Montréal last weekend, burying the opener after Iván Angulo’s shot deflected off the post. The goal was McGuire’s 31st across all competitions for the Lions, tying former captain Nani for fourth on the club’s all-time scoring list. Midfielder Martín Ojeda added his second goal of the campaign, bringing his regular-season total to 28. The tally also pulled him level with Nani for third all-time in regular-season goals for the Lions.
Balanced Attack
Despite their early-season defensive struggles, the Lions have been strong in the attack through their first four matches. Orlando City ranks fifth in the Eastern Conference in goals and sixth in expected goals. Midfielder Martín Ojeda leads the team with two goals in 2026, while forward Iván Angulo paces the squad with three assists. Forward Marco Pašalić has recorded one goal and one assist, and forward Duncan McGuire opened his 2026 account with a goal last weekend, showing a balanced set of contributions from the Lions’ front four.
Last Time Out
The last meeting between the Lions and Coyotes came at Inter&Co Stadium last September. Orlando City took a 2-1 lead into halftime after Martín Ojeda scored twice in a two-minute span in the 30th and 32nd minutes, before Hany Mukhtar pulled one back in stoppage time. Jacob Shaffelburg equalized six minutes into the second half, but Duncan McGuire scored in the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time to secure all three points for Orlando City in a 3-2 victory.
Life on the Road
Orlando City SC begins its longest road trip of the season this weekend in Tennessee. After the trip to Nashville, the Lions will head to the West Coast to face LAFC following the international break, then wrap up the stretch the next week in Columbus, Ohio, with a match against the Crew. The Lions’ next game at Inter&Co Stadium is scheduled for April 18 against Houston Dynamo FC, marking more than a month between home fixtures after last weekend’s match against CF Montréal. Orlando City’s longest homestand is set for August, when the club is slated to play three Leagues Cup Phase One matches and three MLS regular-season games at home over an 18-day span from Aug. 5–22.
Milestone Tracker:
-Duncan McGuire’s next goal will be his 32nd for Orlando City in all competitions, passing former captain Nani for fourth all-time
-With an appearance, forward Harvey Sarajian would make his club debut
-A win would make Interim head coach Martín Perelman the first coach, permanent or interim, in Orlando City history to win each of his first two matches in charge
