Orlando City has been a stingy defensive side early in the season ever since Oscar Pareja took over as head coach. Through the starts of the last four seasons, the Lions have managed to get better and better at keeping the opposition from scoring to kick off a new campaign. That has been illustrated through three competitive matches in 2023, as the Lions have yet to allow a goal — the club’s longest such stretch to start a new season.
Let’s jump into the numbers.
Prior to Pareja’s arrival, Orlando City had only recorded one clean sheet on opening day — the 1-0 victory over New York City FC in 2017 to open the building now known as Exploria Stadium.