Orlando City earns first win with 2-0 effort over Austin FC
ORLANDO, Fla. (March 23, 2024) – Orlando City SC (1-3-1, 4 points) defeated Austin FC (0-2-3, 3 points) 2-0 on Saturday night at INTER&Co Stadium for their first win on the season.
The Lions (1-3-1, 4 points) had struggled in MLS play prior to this game, scoring just twice and allowing a staggering 10 goals. A clean-sheet win marked exactly what Orlando City needed to try to remedy its woes.
Jack Lynn scored in the 42nd minute with his first career MLS goal in his first MLS start. Dagur Dan Thórhallsson delivered an excellent pass to tee up Lynn’s header.
“Today was complete. We had a good performance and we had players just getting closer to their best performance. But we got the result. We scored goals, we had volume, we had the initiative to play the way we are. We controlled a team that had a lot of speed, especially in the flanks. So, we’re happy. Congratulations to the footballers, happy to see them enjoy the game and result.”
Just before halftime. Dagur Dan Thórhallsson was able to corral a pass deep in the Austin defensive third and send a cross to the far post. Jack Lynn, in his first career start, was waiting behind the defense and guided in a header for his first MLS goal to give the Lions a 1-0 advantage.
Orlando City was able to extend its lead in the second half after a Nico Lodeiro shot was blocked by an Austin defender, but a handball was called just outside the box. Lodeiro stepped up and took the ensuing free kick and the ball was drilled past the goalkeeper into the top-left corner of the net.
Goalkeeper Mason Stajduhar earned the start in on goal on the night and made one save on his way to earn the clean sheet. It is the Club’s second clean sheet of the regular season and Stajduhar’s first of the year.
The night ended with a 90’s concert featuring Montell Jordan, the teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Vanilla Ice.
The Lions will stay at home for their next match, hosting the New York Red Bulls at INTER&Co Stadium on Saturday, March 30 on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, with kick off set for 7:30 p.m. ET.