Lions kick off in Music City on Tuesday night

By Official Florida FC

Orlando City has advanced to the MLS Cup Playoffs Eastern Conference semifinals only once in its nine-year MLS history. The Lions have a golden opportunity to equal that feat on Tuesday night in Nashville.

Orlando City won the first game of its Round One series 1-0 courtesy of Wilder Cartagena’s long-range missile. A win on Tuesday would see the Lions advance to face either the Columbus Crew or Atlanta United after the international break.

“The important part of our preparation is to settle our mind and just be present in the moment,” Orlando City head coach Oscar Pareja told reporters.

Major League Soccer notes that Nashville SC has never lost a knockout round match at home. While true, that negates to mention Nashville lost the Leagues Cup on home soil to Inter Miami in August.

Of course, there is no one on Orlando’s roster who is as predatory as the eight-time Ballon d’or winner.

That said, first-year forward Duncan McGuire has been very good for the Lions. His 13 league goals and three assists have come in 15 different matches. Since May, Orlando City is 7-1-3 in matches where McGuire has scored or assisted a goal.