MIAMI, Florida – A rematch from the 2023 Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16 will be on the docket on Tuesday night, as Orlando City SC of Major League Soccer (MLS) host Liga MX side Tigres in the first leg of the 2024 Champions Cup Round of 16 at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando, Florida.
These two sides engaged in one of the most exciting match-ups in last season’s tournament in the Round of 16. A 0-0 draw in Mexico was followed by a thrilling 1-1 draw in the return leg in Orlando to give Tigres the series victory via the away goal tiebreaker.
Now, almost a year later, Orlando City will get a chance to avenge last year’s elimination. The Florida-based side advanced from Round One in style, as they defeated Canadian Premier League club Cavalry 6-1 on aggregate, improving Orlando City’s overall record in Champions Cup play to 2W-2D-0L.
Tomorrow. 🦁🆚🐯 #VamosOrlando
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) March 4, 2024
Facundo Torres was superb for the Lions, scoring two goals from four shots, while chipping in with an assist. Ramiro Enrique was also solid in scoring a goal from seven shots.
If things go awry at any point for Orlando City, they know they can turn to a calm presence in midfield in the form of Nicolas Lodeiro. A Champions Cup winner with the Seattle Sounders in 2022, Lodeiro had a goal and an assist against Cavalry and has eight goals and five assists in 11 matches in his Champions Cup career.
Tigres boast a ton of Champions Cup experience from back to front. Up top, it all begins with legendary striker Andre-Pierre Gignac, who scored his 17th career Champions Cup goal in their Round One 4-1 aggregate victory against the Vancouver Whitecaps.
Luis Quinones is another player who always shines in Concacaf matches. The winger scored his sixth career Champions Cup goal against Vancouver and has 10 assists overall.
Ozziel Herrera and Rafael Carioca were big-time performers as well against the Whitecaps. Herrera had a goal and an assist, while Carioca completed 148 passes and made four ball recoveries.
Match Officials Orlando City SC (USA) vs Tigres UANL
REF: WALTER LOPEZ (Guatemala)
AR1: KEYTZEL CORRALES (Nicaragua)
AR2: RAYMUNDO FELIZ (Dominican Republic)
4TH: JULIO LUNA (Guatemala)
VAR: BENJAMIN PINEDA (Costa Rica)
VAR1: RICARDO MONTERO (Costa Rica)
