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Pedro Gallese — Player of the Match Performance

🧤 Pedro Gallese — Player of the Match Performance


🔒 Clean Sheet #5 of the Season

Pedro Gallese continues to anchor Orlando’s defense with consistency and elite shot-stopping. This match was arguably one of his best performances of the season, not only statistically but also in terms of decisive impact under pressure.

🧱 Key Performance Metrics (vs. Chicago Fire)

Metric

Value

Shots Faced

5

Shots on Target Saved

4/4

Clean Sheet

✅

Saves Inside the Box

3

High Claims

2

Punches

1

Crosses Defended

4 (successful)

Sweeper Actions

3

Distribution Accuracy

72% (18/25 passes)

Long Balls

8/12 successful

Touches

39

Player of the Match

⭐

🧤 Notable Saves

  1. 12’ – Save vs. Cuypers (xG 0.80):

    • A phenomenal reflex save. Cuypers was 1v1 with Gallese after a through ball. Gallese closed the angle quickly and made a strong low save with his right leg.

    • This was a match-defining moment, preventing a near-certain goal.

  2. 23’ – Save from Maren Haile-Selassie:

    • A diving parry to his right after a curler aimed at the far post. Gallese's footwork and positioning were textbook.

  3. 34’ – Save vs. Federico Navarro:

    • A reaction stop from a close-range header following a set piece. Showed good anticipation.

  4. 78’ – Sweeper Keeper Action:

    • Rushed out of the box to intercept a long ball behind Orlando’s high line, keeping Cuypers from a clean breakaway.

🧠 Tactical Impact

  • Leadership: Vocal throughout, organizing a defense that often had to be wary of counters even with a man advantage.

  • Confidence Under Pressure: With Chicago relying on direct play and set pieces post-red card, Gallese’s aerial dominance and composure kept Orlando secure.

  • Game Management: Took the sting out of the game with smart distribution and effective game tempo control late in the second half.

  • Best XI Matchday 11




📈 Season Overview – Pedro Gallese (2025 so far)

Category

Value

Matches Played

11

Clean Sheets

5

Goals Conceded

9

Save Percentage

~81%

Saves per Match

3.2

Goals Prevented (Post-Shot xG vs. Goals Conceded)

+2.4

⚠️ Gallese ranks among top 3 MLS keepers for shot-stopping efficiency and clean sheets in 2025.

🎯 Final Verdict

Pedro Gallese’s performance was a clinic in high-level goalkeeping. His early saves, especially the one on Cuypers, were pivotal in keeping Orlando in the game during their most vulnerable moments. With 5 clean sheets now, Gallese is not just the last line of defense — he’s Orlando’s most consistent performer this season.

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