Written By: SaJorden Miller
(Orlando, FL) Orlando City took on LA Galaxy Saturday afternoon at Orlando City Stadium. Lions broke a team record Saturday with their most wins consecutively at home, defeating LA Galaxy 2-1.
Starting Lineup Orlando: [GK] Joe Bendik; [D] Jonathan Spector, Scott Sutter, Tommy Redding, Donny Toia; [M] Giles Barnes, Cristian Higuita, Will Johnson (c), Antonio Nocerino; [F] Cyle Larin, Carlos Rivas.
Starting Lineup LA Galaxy: [GK] Clement Diop; [D] Nathan Smith, Daniel Stres, Jelle Van Damme (c), Ashley Cole; Romain Alessandrini, Jermaine Jones, Juão Pedro Machado, Emmanuel Boateng [F] Giovani dos Santos, Gysi Zardes.
Orlando City got on the board early in the 9th minute of the match. Scott Sutter played a beautiful ball to the left side, where the player of the match midfielder Will Johnson could take control and bring it down for a right footed shot soaring into the far the post. Lion fans began to roar letting out purple smoke and streamers; the fans did not let up. Their roaring grew with the match. LA Galaxy had a total of eight shots on goal for the first half; they were just unable to connect to get the ball in the back of the net. Lions maintained a good amount of the possession during the first half being able to get an additional 3 shots on target. Orlando City had a solid first half just unable to score any additional points.
LA Galaxy seemed to begin well after Orlando City kicked off they were able to steal the ball almost immediately taking a shot on goal, but it was blocked. Galaxy was taking shots from everywhere during the first half they just could not get the ball in the back of the net. The Galaxy had great movement and maintained a consistent possession percentage. Shortly after City's goal Galaxy attacked back with two shots, their shooting never let up throughout the entire match.
Galaxy began the second half with possession; however, the Lions were able to get the quick steal to get two quick shots on target. With the back and forth game Lion's GK Joe Bendik had an outstanding afternoon saving a total of 5 shots. Bendik had a double save that is sure to make it in the running for save of the week, where he was able to get his fingertips on the ball on the left side then get up and hit it out when it came back to the right side of the net. While Bendik had a great match sadly for him and Orlando City, it was not a shut out. Overall Orlando City had a strong game, while head coach Jason Kreis is not completely satisfied or happy. However, he did say that he is content right now with the players and how they played today.
Galaxy had another strong half of possession and shots totaling 18 shots in this match. Galaxy stepped up their game and aggression conceding 2 yellow cards, 6 fouls, and 10 shots. After 6 consecutive shots on the 7th shot Galaxy was able to score a beautiful goal in the 82nd minute. Galaxy midfielder Romain Alessandrini was able to cut away from the defense at the top of the 18-yard box to get a nice shot on goal that went flying past Bendick. With this goal being late in the match it did not faze the Orlando City fans their roar just got louder, causing City to fight back. Following Galaxy's goal, the Lions fought back having three consecutive shots on goal. The 4th referee announced that there would be 5 minutes of added time. In the 91st minute, City was awarded a corner kick where Johnson played the ball straight to forward Cyle Larin who was standing in the 6-yard box. Larin was able to connect with his right foot to put Orlando City up 2-1, leaving them undefeated at home.
Orlando City's next match will be Sunday, April 23rd at 1:30 pm EST against New York City FC at Yankees Stadium, that game will be broadcasted on FS1. LA Galaxy's next match is also on Sunday, April 23rd at 1 pm PT, Galaxy will host Seattle Sounders at StubHub Center, this game will be broadcasted on ESPN.
Starting Lineup Orlando: [GK] Joe Bendik; [D] Jonathan Spector, Scott Sutter, Tommy Redding, Donny Toia; [M] Giles Barnes, Cristian Higuita, Will Johnson (c), Antonio Nocerino; [F] Cyle Larin, Carlos Rivas.
Starting Lineup LA Galaxy: [GK] Clement Diop; [D] Nathan Smith, Daniel Stres, Jelle Van Damme (c), Ashley Cole; Romain Alessandrini, Jermaine Jones, Juão Pedro Machado, Emmanuel Boateng [F] Giovani dos Santos, Gysi Zardes.
Orlando City got on the board early in the 9th minute of the match. Scott Sutter played a beautiful ball to the left side, where the player of the match midfielder Will Johnson could take control and bring it down for a right footed shot soaring into the far the post. Lion fans began to roar letting out purple smoke and streamers; the fans did not let up. Their roaring grew with the match. LA Galaxy had a total of eight shots on goal for the first half; they were just unable to connect to get the ball in the back of the net. Lions maintained a good amount of the possession during the first half being able to get an additional 3 shots on target. Orlando City had a solid first half just unable to score any additional points.
LA Galaxy seemed to begin well after Orlando City kicked off they were able to steal the ball almost immediately taking a shot on goal, but it was blocked. Galaxy was taking shots from everywhere during the first half they just could not get the ball in the back of the net. The Galaxy had great movement and maintained a consistent possession percentage. Shortly after City's goal Galaxy attacked back with two shots, their shooting never let up throughout the entire match.
Galaxy began the second half with possession; however, the Lions were able to get the quick steal to get two quick shots on target. With the back and forth game Lion's GK Joe Bendik had an outstanding afternoon saving a total of 5 shots. Bendik had a double save that is sure to make it in the running for save of the week, where he was able to get his fingertips on the ball on the left side then get up and hit it out when it came back to the right side of the net. While Bendik had a great match sadly for him and Orlando City, it was not a shut out. Overall Orlando City had a strong game, while head coach Jason Kreis is not completely satisfied or happy. However, he did say that he is content right now with the players and how they played today.
Galaxy had another strong half of possession and shots totaling 18 shots in this match. Galaxy stepped up their game and aggression conceding 2 yellow cards, 6 fouls, and 10 shots. After 6 consecutive shots on the 7th shot Galaxy was able to score a beautiful goal in the 82nd minute. Galaxy midfielder Romain Alessandrini was able to cut away from the defense at the top of the 18-yard box to get a nice shot on goal that went flying past Bendick. With this goal being late in the match it did not faze the Orlando City fans their roar just got louder, causing City to fight back. Following Galaxy's goal, the Lions fought back having three consecutive shots on goal. The 4th referee announced that there would be 5 minutes of added time. In the 91st minute, City was awarded a corner kick where Johnson played the ball straight to forward Cyle Larin who was standing in the 6-yard box. Larin was able to connect with his right foot to put Orlando City up 2-1, leaving them undefeated at home.
Orlando City's next match will be Sunday, April 23rd at 1:30 pm EST against New York City FC at Yankees Stadium, that game will be broadcasted on FS1. LA Galaxy's next match is also on Sunday, April 23rd at 1 pm PT, Galaxy will host Seattle Sounders at StubHub Center, this game will be broadcasted on ESPN.