ORLANDO, Fla. (Sept. 17, 2022) - Orlando City SC (13-12-6, 45 points) defeated Toronto FC (9-16-7, 34 points) 4-0 on Saturday night at Exploria Stadium. The win marks a season sweep over the Canadian-based side after the Lions went into BMO Field earlier this season and walked out with a win thanks to a stoppage-time game-winner off the head of Kyle Smith. 

City was backed by goals from Facundo Torres, Ercan Kara and Tesho Akindele, along with a Toronto own goal. Torres and Kara each collected their 11th goals of the year in all competitions, tying one another for the team lead. Orlando City became the first Club in MLS history to have at least one double-digit scorer in each of the team’s first eight regular seasons with Kara’s finish on the night. Akindele’s strike served as his third of the year, all of which came late in the second half.

Captain Mauricio Pereyra became the first City player to post multiple double-digit assist seasons in MLS, collecting his 10th assist of the year on the Kara goal. That assist has tied the Club’s single-season assists record in league play, a record he holds from his 2021 season, along with Kaká (2016), Yoshimar Yotún (2018) and Nani (2019). Midfielder Iván Angulo collected a pair of assists in the match for the first time in an Orlando kit, bringing his season total to three after playing a part in the Torres and Akindele finishes. Antonio Carlos also earned his first helper of the year with a gorgeous flick resulting in the Torres goal. 

Goalkeeper Pedro Gallese and the backline of Orlando City earned their ninth shutout of the season, setting a new single-season Club record. The Lions hold a 8-0-1 record in those nine games, including a shutout win over Toronto FC in their matchup earlier in the season. Gallese made three saves on the night and is one of just seven goalkeepers in MLS to have at least nine clean sheets. 

“A very complete performance with a group that is very responsible. We looked at the quantity of games with no time to rest and they came out today and they put up a very important victory and a very good performance. I thought we were solid. We kept their goals to zero, we scored goals and we had good moments on the field where the team was very connected. [I] saw a lot of good things. The boys now need to go and rest, they deserve it and [we'll] get ready for the next three matches. We will keep pushing.”

9’ Facundo Torres (Antonio Carlos, Iván Angulo) - ORL 1, TOR 0 The Lions got on the board early, with Iván Angulo whipping a ball to Antonio Carlos at the edge of the area, who flicked it to a running Facundo Torres with the backheel. “El Cuervo” proceeded to take his space before firing a left-footed shot straight into the right-side netting for the finish.

22’ Ercan Kara (Mauricio Pereyra) - ORL 2, TOR 0 City doubled its advantage with Mauricio Pereyra sending a through ball in behind the Toronto defense to a running Ercan Kara, who took a touch before sending his left-footed strike straight into the back of the net. 

47’ Lukas MacNaughton (Own Goal) - ORL 3, TOR 0 City collected their third goal of the night with João Moutinho driving down the left flank and whipping a rocket of a cross into the danger area, which hit Lukas MacNaughton and went directly into the back of the Reds’ net. 

84’ Tesho Akindele (Iván Angulo) - ORL 4, TOR 0 The Lions sealed all three points with Iván Angulo sliding the ball in behind the defense, finding Tesho Akindele who struck it first-time with his left foot, smashing it past a diving Quentin Westberg.

Next Match: The Lions enter a week off from match play, next set to travel to take on New York City FC at Red Bull Arena on Sunday, Oct. 2.