This is a preseason predictions piece coming out the Monday after Week One. That's on me, sorry y'all. That being said, it's hard not to be excited after that performance and want to start looking ahead at what could be an awesome season to be an Orlando City supporter. Let's run through some over/under situations for the rest of the 2021 season.
These are obviously all arbitrarily decided figures and have no betting implications, just had to clarify that.
Alexandre Pato Appearances: 11.5
Pato already has more goals than he did all of last season and stayed healthy for a full match in the opener. It was a very exciting Man of the Match effort for the Brazilian against Montreal, and hopefully he'll contribute more throughout the year. He does however have a lengthy injury history. I don't know if Pato can stay healthy, but my desire to see more days like Sunday forces me to take the over.
VERDICT: OVER
Ercan Kara Goals: 10.5
Kara took a knock in preseason, but saw the field for about 20 minutes in the season opener. He didn't get any chances in this one, but the Austrian has the makings of a high-level MLS striker. This over/under is probably way too low, and if he doesn't hit it, Orlando will have serious problems, but I feel comfortable taking the over again.
VERDICT: OVER