Lions return to roots for 1st game vs. Austin
Sunday will mark the first time Orlando City and Austin FC face off in MLS play.
It also marks the first time the Lions franchise returns to its original roots in more than a decade (FOX-35+ and LionNation TV, 8).
In 2008, owners Phil Rawlins and Kay Rawlins started the Austin Aztex FC, which played in the USL for two seasons. Former Lions manager Adrian Heath was the original coach of the Texas franchise, and current TV broadcaster Miguel Gallardo was the goalkeeper.
In 2010, the Rawlins couple saw an opportunity for growth elsewhere and picked up the franchise, moving it to Orlando and rebranding it to Orlando City SC.
When the team moved out, Austin was not quite ready to support pro soccer. Flash forward 12 years, and Austin FC has become a thriving soccer city with vibrant support and financial backing, headlined by Academy Award-winning actor Matthew McConaughey.
While the history between the MLS franchises will begin this weekend, the soccer history between the two remains to this day.
High-powered offense: The Lions will be coming up against the best offensive teams in the league on Sunday night, with Austin (7-3-2) leading the league in goals (25) and assists (31) through 12 games played.
“It’s a game, certainly, that is going to bring different expressions from a team that we haven’t competed [against],” Orlando City coach Oscar Pareja said. “It’s a good opportunity to match [against] a team who has played well during the season so far. They have very good players and we’re proud about ours, too, and ready to compete.”
The Lions (6-4-2) have been solid defensively. Despite losing one of their leaders in the backline, Antonio Carlos, to a hamstring injury in early April, they have tallied a league-high 6 clean sheets.
Defender Rodrigo Schlegel, who has been filling in at centerback, could make his 50th appearance for the club if he plays this weekend. In the 7 matches he has started, he has contributed to 3 clean sheets and even scored his first goal in purple on April 16 against the Columbus Crew.
Schlegel and the entire Lions defensive line will need to be in form going into the raucous environment of Q2 stadium, which already has established itself as one of the best new stadiums in the league.
Injury updates: Forward Tesho Akindele was back at training this past week, having come off the injury list the previous week. He has not played in a match for Orlando since April 16.
Wingers Benji Michel and Silvester van der Water remain out with lower leg injuries.