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Orlando City Needs Nani To Maintain Hot Form All Season
After his great start was halted by an early suspension, the Lions will look for their c.
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Photo by Fernando Leon/ISI Photos/Getty Images
Nani is without a doubt one of the most talented players in Major League Soccer. The former Portuguese international has a level of class and skill that places him above many others in the league. Even at 34 years old, he’s been an MVP-caliber star for Orlando City. With 21 goals and nine assists in 54 MLS regular season games, Nani has become the leader of an Orlando team ready to compete for trophies. Nani is one of the best, most successful, and beloved players in Orlando’s MLS history, but if there’s one knock on his time here, it’s his lack of consistency.
Nani’s Suspension Opens the Door for Squad Rotation
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Matt Stamey-USA TODAY Sports
When Major League Soccer’s Disciplinary Committee decided to hand Orlando City captain Nani a two-game suspension, it was a questionable move to say the absolute least. The suspension was met with staunch criticism from the Orlando faithful, the MLS Players Association, and others.
The decision put a damper on Orlando’s hot start to the season as Nani was in fine form with three goals in five games to start the year. Losing your best player always hurts, but this shoddy suspension opened an opportunity for the Lions that can pay dividends in coming months.
Orlando City vs. Toronto FC: Player Grades and Man of the Match
How did each Lion rate individually in Orlando City’s 1-0 win over Toronto FC?
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Orlando City extended its unbeaten streak to six matches after winning 1-0 over Toronto FC. Tesho Akindele scored in the 12th minute and the defense continued its dominant form despite injuries. Here is how each individual Lion performed in the win, as well as who earned the title of Man of the Match.
Starters
GK, Pedro Gallese, 7.5 (MotM) The Peruvian goalkeeper secured his fourth clean sheet of the season, already surpassing his total from a shortened 2020 season. It was a busy night for El Pulpo, making five saves throughout the match, including a pair late in stoppage time to put the game on ice. Gallese also had a great save in the first half after a shot was deflected while he was already motioning to his left. In what couldn’t have been more than a sec