Orlando City Soccer Kickoff Season With 2-0 Victory Over CF Montreal at Home Opener

By  //  March 1, 2022

Orlando city to face Chicago Fire FC march 5

Orlando City SC started the 2022 Major League Soccer campaign with a win, defeating visiting CF Montréal 2-0 at Exploria Stadium. (Orlando City SC)

ORLANDO, FLORIDA – Orlando City SC started the 2022 Major League Soccer (MLS) campaign with a win, defeating visiting CF Montréal 2-0 at Exploria Stadium.

The match marked the season opener for both sides, with the Lions remaining undefeated in debut matches, moving to 2-0-6 all-time.

With the clean sheet victory, the Lions have now posted three-straight season-opening shutouts dating back to a 0-0 draw against Real Salt Lake to open 2020.

Pedro Gallese has been in the net for each of those clean sheets.

After missing much of 2021 due to injury, forward Alexandre Pato scored his first-ever goal as a Lion in the match, with Benji Michel adding the insurance goal.

The Lions got on the board shortly after the halftime break with Mauricio Pereyra threading a ball in behind for Ruan down the right flank.

The Brazilian defender was able to outrun his defender before sending a ball across the face of goal, finding Alexandre Pato at the back post for the finish.

City doubled its advantage 10 minutes later, this time with Mauricio Pereyra slotting the ball to a running Benji Michel on the left side of the box, who hit it first time past CF Montréal goalkeeper Sebastian Breza into the back of the net.

Alexandre Pato scored his first Orlando City goal in the afternoon. The finish served as the first for Orlando City on opening day since the 2019 campaign.

Next Match: The Lions head out on the road for the first time this campaign, set to take on Chicago Fire FC at Soldier Field on Saturday, March 5. The kickoff is set for 6 p.m. ET.

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