August 10, 2021 – Major League Soccer (MLS) News Release
NEW YORK CITY & MEXICO CITY – The 25-player rosters for Thursday’s Leagues Cup 2021 quarterfinal match between Orlando City SC and Santos Laguna were announced today. Leading the club in goals this season, veteran forward, Nani, will join MLS All-Star goalkeeper Pedro Gallese in Orlando City’s matchup with a Santos Laguna squad that features the top LIGA MX defender Matheus Doria and Chilean international Diego Valdés.
THREE THINGS TO KNOW
While the two sides have never before met, the last time Santos Laguna competed against an MLS club in a competitive fixture was in the 2019 Concacaf Champions League when the Mexican side took down the New York Red Bulls in the tournament’s quarterfinals.
Not only will Leagues Cup 2021 be the first appearance in the tournament for Orlando City, but the entrance will mark the first time the MLS club has played a LIGA MX club in competitive play.
Just one player on either roster has played in the opposing league: goalkeeper Pedro Gallese (C.D. Veracruz).
ROSTERS
ORLANDO CITY SC
Goalkeepers: Pedro Gallese, Adam Grinwis, Mason Stajduhar
Defenders: Antonio Carlos, João Moutinho, Ruan, Mikey Halliday, Rio Hope-Gund, Robin Jansson, Emmanuel Mas, Rodrigo Schlegel, Kyle Smith, Thomas Williams
Midfielders: Raul Aguilera, Júnior Urso, Joey DeZart, David Loera, Chris Mueller, Andrés Perea, Mauricio Pereyra
Forwards: Tesho Akindele, Nani, Alexander Alvarado, Benji Michel, Silvester van der Water
Head coach: Oscar Pareja
SANTOS LAGUNA
Goalkeepers: Carlos Acevedo, Gibrán Lajud, Joel García
Defenders: Ismael Govea, Jonathan Díaz, Félix Torres, Emilio Orrantía, Hugo Rodríguez, Matheus Doria
Midfielders: Juan Otero, Diego Valdés, Fernando Gorriarán, David Andrade, Brian Lozano, Ulises Rivas, Andrés Ávila, Ronaldo Prieto, Andrés Ibargüen, Jesús Isijara, Ayrton Preciado, Edgar Games, Jordan Carrillo
Forwards: Alberto Ocejo, Ignacio Jeraldino, Alessio Da Cruz.
Head Coach: Jorge Guillermo Almada
• Discuss this story on the Major League Soccer message board…
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
