Star forward Nani will miss Orlando City’s rivalry match against Atlanta United due to calf inflammation.
Nani is day-to-day and the team hopes to have him ready for its Wednesday match against the Seattle Sounders, a club spokesman confirmed. The Lions play three games this week, starting with the Five Stripes today.
The Portuguese international did not travel with the club to Atlanta.
Nani leads Orlando City with five goals and four assists. He’s the only player who has scored for the team since the 81st minute of the Lions’ 4-3 victory over the Colorado Rapids on April 6.
Sunday’s match against Atlanta United will be the first match Nani will miss for the Lions since he was signed. He’s appeared in 10 games this season with eight starts.
The Lions are 3-4-3 (12 points) and are hoping to snap a trend of poor results against Atlanta United. Plus the team — outside of Nani — has had trouble finding the back of the net recently. Orlando City has just three goals in the last four matches and was shut out last week against Toronto FC.