It’s the first road matchup of the season for FC Cincinnati, as the Orange and Blue head back down to Florida to take on Orlando City SC. With both teams coming off wins in Matchday 1, Saturday marks an early-season battle between two playoff teams from last season.
Let’s break down this matchup by the numbers, presented by CTI.
1
Orlando City SC took down the New York Red Bulls, 1-0, in their Matchday 1 fixture last Saturday. Like FC Cincinnati, who were outshot 19-14 by Houston, the Lions were outshot by their visiting opponents and still found a way to win.
Orlando City was outshot 14-6, and just one of their six shots were on target. That one shot on target was the difference, a 56th minute penalty kick from Facundo Torres.
3
The schedule makers have been seemingly thoughtful of Cincinnati, with the Orange and Blue typically headed to warmer Orlando early in the year. This year marks the third straight season FCC travel to Orlando within the first three matches of the year.
This year, the trip to Orlando comes on Matchday 2 (Road Trip #1) on March 4, 2023. Last season, it came on Matchday 3 (Road Trip #2) on March 12, 2022, and in 2021, it came on Matchday 3 again (Road Trip #3) on May 1.
3 (Again)
FC Cincinnati swept Orlando City SC last season, earning the first two wins over the Lions in club history.
Only once in club history have the Orange and Blue defeated an opponent in three straight matchups (CF Montréal - May 11, 2019; Sept. 14, 2019; May 22, 2021).
100
Mauricio Pereyra, Orlando’s all-time franchise leader in assists (35), is set to make his 100th appearance for Orlando City (all competitions) this weekend against FC Cincinnati. Pereyra will become the eighth player in club history to reach the milestone, and the first to do so as club captain.
Another milestone waits for Orlando, as goalkeeper Pedro Gallese’s next win will be his 40th as the starting goalkeeper. The Orange and Blue will look to prevent that from happening.
150
Speaking of milestones, FC Cincinnati’s 150th MLS goal is approaching. The Orange and Blue currently sit at 146 goals scored in MLS regular season play. Álvaro Barreal scored two previous milestone goals, tallying both the 50th (June 23, 2021 at Chicago Fire FC) and the 100th (May 28, 2022 at CF Montréal).
7,026
Last Saturday, FC Cincinnati defender Nick Hagglund hit a milestone of his own, By playing the full match, he ended the night with 7,026 career regular season minutes played with FCC, the first player in club history to surpass 7,000.
FCC’s all-time leader in games played, starts and minutes is just four appearances away from reaching 100 appearances across all competitions for the Orange and Blue.
By The Numbers is presented by CTI.
