July 16, 2021 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – Orlando City SC News Release
ORLANDO, Fla. – Orlando City SC (6-3-3, 21 points) returns to action on Saturday, July 17, set to face Toronto FC (2-8-2, 8 points) at BMO Field. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m. ET with coverage set to begin at 7 p.m. ET on FOX35 PLUS.
The match, presented by Pepsi, will be available to stream on LionNation TV in addition to being broadcast on FOX35 PLUS. The fixture will also be transmitted on 96.9 The Game in English and Acción 97.9FM, 810AM in Spanish.
“We’re happy to return to competition and happy also to be able to go and compete in Canada. It’s a good opportunity for us to start getting back to normal in Major League Soccer, so we’re excited,” Head Coach Oscar Pareja said ahead of the match. “At the same time, now with the complexity of the game for both clubs, it makes the competition more exciting. We’re happy, we’re preparing the players and the team so we can get a good result in Canada.”
Saturday’s matchup will serve as the third between the two sides this year, the Lions taking a pair of victories in the previous two contests with a 1-0 shutout victory on May 22 and a 3-2 win on June 19 behind an 84th minute game-winner from Júnior Urso.
The Lions enter the weekend after over a week off from match play, last taking the field last Wednesday in a 3-1 loss to the Chicago Fire. Andrés Perea scored City’s lone goal on the night, good for his first for the Club.
Nani leads the Lions with six goals this year, followed by Tesho Akindele with three. Akindele, along with Chris Mueller and Mauricio Pereyra, sits tied for the team lead in assists with four.
Toronto took a 3-2 victory over the New England Revolution in its last outing, with three first-half goals securing the result for the Reds on the road. The Revs found the back of the net twice in the second half, but the comeback came up short to give Toronto all three points.
Ayo Akinola and Jonathan Osorio sit tied for the team lead in goals for Toronto this year at three apiece, while Michael Bradley holds the team high in assists with four.
Following Saturday’s match, City returns to The City Beautiful on Thursday, July 22 to host Philadelphia Union at Exploria Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET.
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