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Tesho Akindele scores in record time as Orlando dominates Cincinnati 3-0

Tesho Akindele and Chris Mueller celebrate the fastest goal in Orlando City history on Saturday May 1, 2021 at
Exploria Stadium in Orlando, FL

ORLANDO – Well, if you blinked, you might have missed it. Tesho Akindele got a steal from FC Cincinnati defender Nick Hagglund and kicked it into the right corner at the 33 second mark in the game, making the fastest scored goal in Orlando City history.

This wasn’t a good sign for Cincinnati. Last week they were dominated by New York City FC 5-0. Orlando came out of the box ready to attack and it showed. The final result was a Orlando dominant 3-0 win with goals from Akindele, Nani, and Urso.

Lions’ head coach Oscar Pareja was obviously pleased.

“Very good game for us, very solid performance,” said head coach Pareja. “The best part of the game was that we found the net. Something that we were missing in the last two games where we did a very good performance also but we were missing that final touch, and in today’s game, we did it, we were more precise, and that make us happy.” 

Nani celebrates a goal in the 19th minute against FC Cincinnati on Saturday May, 1 at Exploria Stadium in Orlando, FL

Nani made a spectacular goal in the 19th minute. With Incredible ball work, quick switches of direction three times caused Yuya Kubo to hit the deck. Once open, Nani blasted the ball into the upper right corner of the net.

Junior Urso added the final goal in the 80th minute, when a cross from Nani connected with Andres Perea, who’s header attempt found both Benji Michel and Junior Urso in scoring positions with Urso putting the ball in.

Saturday was also the season debut of Mauricio Payera after a two game suspension. Though Payera practiced with the team, it was understandable that he would need time to get back in the flow with his team mates, but Oscar Pareja is happy to have him back.

“It was great to have him out there again. He had a long time out, and he may have preacticed, but the best way for himt to get the feel back is to play in games. It was a highlight to have him back on the field again”

Orlando next faces New York City FC on Saturday May 8th in Orlando at Exploria Stadium

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