Orlando City vs Real Salt Lake: Ojeda Out as Lions Eye Playoff Push
Orlando City SC host Real Salt Lake in MLS regular-season action on Saturday, August 22, with both sides looking to reignite their playoff pushes. The Lions are without leading scorer Martín Ojeda, while the visitors must cope with a raft of injuries and a suspension that has robbed them of several key players.
Team News and Injury Latest
Orlando City will be missing four players, according to the official MLS Player Status Report for Matchday 20. Eduard Atuesta (thigh), Nolan Miller (knee), Braian Ojeda (foot) and, most significantly, leading scorer Martín Ojeda (thigh) are all ruled out. Ojeda’s 11 goals from 49 shots this season make him the Lions’ primary attacking outlet, and his absence places greater responsibility on the supporting cast.
Real Salt Lake’s injury list is even longer. Griffin Dillon (foot), Emeka Eneli (knee), Justen Glad (adductor) and Ariath Piol (Achilles) are all out, while DeAndre Yedlin is suspended. Saba Lobjanidze (muscle soreness) and Morgan Guilavogui (head) are questionable. The loss of central defensive stalwart Glad and the versatile Yedlin leaves a significant hole in the backline that Orlando will look to exploit.