Orlando City s Nani takes 3-game scoring streak to D.C.
Field Level Media
16 May 2021, 05:19 GMT+10
Orlando City captain Nani is on a three-game scoring streak, but he isn t too fulfilled due to his club s results.
The 34-year-old star from Portugal aims to get Orlando City (1-0-3, 6 points) back in the win column Sunday night when the Lions visit D.C. United.
Nani has scored three of the team s five goals, but the offense has failed to find consistency. The team has scored more than one goal only once this season - a 3-0 result against winless Cincinnati.
The 1-1 home tie with New York City FC on May 8 left him pondering what he can do differently.
Edison Flores’s first MLS goal leads D.C. United to 1-0 win over Chicago Fire
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Caitlin Buckley / Black and Red United
D.C. United made their return to Audi Field count, defeating the Chicago Fire 1-0. Edison Flores scored the game’s only goal with a 7th minute header, his first since joining last year in a club-record deal for United.
Hernán Losada had changes in mind after three straight road defeats. Jon Kempin started in goal over Chris Seitz, while Brendan Hines-Ike returned from injury at center back. Drew Skundrich, one day after signing an MLS deal with the club, made his MLS debut as a starter in midfield. Designated Player Paul Arriola, meanwhile, made the bench for the first time all season after a quadriceps injury cut his loan to Swansea City short.
Intelligence Report: Orlando City vs. D.C. United
The Lions return to the nation’s capital for the first time since 2019.
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Photo by Tony Quinn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Orlando City will look to keep its unbeaten streak to start the 2021 season going, but things won’t be easy, as the Lions head out on the road to play a team they’ve only beaten once away from home. D.C. United has a five-match unbeaten streak going in all competitions against Orlando dating back to 2018, and the Black & Red are also a tough out at Audi Field, going 2-0-0 so far this season at their home grounds.
Caitlin Buckley / Black and Red United
In a sort of litmus test game, a new-look D.C. United was strong enough to send the Chicago Fire back to the Windy City with a loss, as Edison Flores struck early and the Black-and-Red made it stand up in a 1-0 win. It wasn’t perfect, but despite making three changes (including club debuts for Jon Kempin and Drew Skundrich) and some shuffled roles elsewhere, it was an indicator that United has the character to avoid gifting points at home to struggling teams.
As is often the case, we (Adam, Ryan, and Jason.hey, that’s me!) have some thoughts about this one: