Our prediction for this MLS match:
Austin FC
Match Time & Date:
23/05/2022
02:00
Prediction: 2-1
Orlando City
Austin play host to Orlando City at their Q2 Stadium in what is expected to be one of the most interesting games of Monday’s program. Austin have been having their ups and downs of late, but their display in a 2-1 win at Los Angeles FC is surely giving fans a reason for optimism ahead of the visit of Orlando City. Head coach Josh Wolff has no fresh injury worries, while Daniel Pereira is back from suspension.
Both Freddy Kleemann and Jhohan Romana are out of contention with injuries. The Lions, on the other hand, aim to build on a hard-fought 1-0 win over Toronto. Austin, though, are a real force to be reckoned with at home, which is probably the main reason why we predict the visitors will return to Florida empty-handed. Both Tesho Akindele and Antonio Carlos are injured for the visiting side.
Highlighted Player (Sebastián Méndez):
Born in Mira, Ecuador, on April 26, 1997, Sebastian Mendez plays for Major League Soccer club Orlando City as a midfielder. Mendez began his youth career at Independiente del Valle and he continued playing for the Ecuadorian side at senior level.
After scoring four goals in 81 appearances in the league for Independiente, the Ecuador international moved to Orlando City in 2019, but it has to be noted that he played for Cultural Leonesa on loan in the past as well. Mendez made his MLS debut against New York City on March 2, 2019 and he was replaced by Nani in the 70th minute.
As for his international career, the Orlando City midfielder played his first ever match for the Ecuador national team on September, 12, 2019 against Guatemala. The Ecuadorians won the game 2-0, with Mendez being replaced in 73rd minute of the match. His main position is defensive midfielder, but he is capable of playing as a central midfielder as well.
Highlighted Team (Orlando City):
Orlando City are a member of the Eastern Conference in Major League Soccer. The Lions have been participating in the major league since 2015 and they host their rivals at Orlando City Stadium. The venue was opened in February, 2017 and the construction of the stadium cost $155 million. Orlando City finished the 2015 MLS season in seventh place in the Eastern Conference and they failed to make it to the play-offs in the 2016 season as well (8th place).
Brazilian ace Kaka is undisputedly the club’s most famous player and the former Real Madrid and Milan man became the highest-paid player in MLS history. His base salary was $6.6 million per year and it has to be noted that the Brazilian superstar found the net on his Orlando City debut against FC Dallas (friendly). Orlando City’s home kit is violet, while they wear white and violet shirts and white socks on the travels. The club’s official mascot is Kingston the Lion.
