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.