Los Angeles FC will look to extend their shutout streak deeper into record territory when they host Orlando City on Saturday.
LAFC (4-0-1, 13 points) have yet to lose or allow a goal over five regular-season matches, outscoring opponents by an 8-0 margin. The 450 scoreless minutes to open a season is a new MLS record.
Beyond just the MLS season, Los Angeles has also been competing in the CONCACAF Champions League. The busy schedule resulted in nine matches within a 33-day span for LAFC, and the continental tournament resumes Tuesday when LAFC hosts Cruz Azul in the first leg of the quarterfinals.
LAFC coach Marc Dos Santos said his team has spent the two-week MLS international break recovering and preparing for all upcoming challenges. This means not looking past Orlando City and being ready for any surprises.
“Because (Orlando) struggled in the beginning of the season, it’s a high red alert for us not to bring our guard down,” Dos Santos said. “… We also were clear with the players that look, it might be also a moment where they want to change something in the two weeks.”
In stark contrast to LAFC’s goalless resume, Orlando (1-4-0, 3 points) has allowed a league-worst 17 goals over five matches.
Under interim head coach Martin Perelman, the Lions earned a 2-1 win over CF Montreal on March 14 before absorbing a 5-0 loss to Nashville SC on March 21.
“This is a process with a lot of changes, with a lot of things happening at the same time,” Orlando midfielder Eduard Atuesta said, citing the coaching change, injuries and new players joining the roster. “Now we know we have to keep working. Trusting the work, trusting the process, trusting the good things that we have.”
Atuesta is expected to play after missing the last match due to a thigh injury. Orlando defenders Griffin Dorsey (lower back), Robin Jansson (foot surgery) and David Brekalo (leg) are all questionable for Saturday.
–Field Level Media
