Photographer: Raul Sosa
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Written by: Raul Sosa MONTREAL – Disappointing performance from Orlando City SC losing 0-2 over Montreal Impact in the crowded Stade Saputo stadium in Canada. Tony Toia and Dominic Oduro were the goal scorers and the heroes on tonight’s tough duty against the Purple Lions of Orlando. Both players leaded the attack onto a well-deserved 2-0 victory for Montreal Impact. The game started with a very shy Orlando City and a determined Montreal Impact on adding those 3 crucial home points. It was on a dangerous play near Orlando’s box when Montreal’s captain (Piatti) unleashed a potent shot that was shockingly deflected by Orlando’s keeper, Tally Hall. It was the save of the night. But it was a glorious corner kick from Montreal Impact and a very bad defended one from Orlando City that opened the score at the 36th minute of the 1st half. Marco Donadel assisted Tony Toia, who connected a powerful header onto the second post of the net. This time Orlando’s keeper, Tally Hall, was only another spectator of the unstoppable shot. Being 0-1 in the score, Orlando City clearly changed their tactics onto attacking mode. Ricardo Kaká appeared from the left wing and released a powerful shot that was reflected from a defender’s header. 5 minutes later, Cyle Larin also fired an amazing shot from the right wing but it wasn’t enough to break Evan Bush’s goalkeeping talents. Going into an offense posture backfired Orlando City SC on multiple occasions, as Montreal Impact was even more dangerous at the kickback. Surprisingly, Montreal wasted 4 clear shots inside the box when Orlando’s defense was completely beaten. Montreal’s strategy paid off (again) at the dying minutes (93rd) of the match. Dominic Oduro left defender Seb Hines on the way with his amazing pace and running ability. Hines deflected the ball but it wasn’t good enough, since Dominic stole the ball from his feet inside the box and shot onto a beaten Tally Hall. It was the 2nd goal of the night that killed the Purple Lions high hopes of getting the equalizer and a positive result in Canada. It was very disappointing to see Orlando’s midfield and part of their defense unwilling to return and help to clear Montreal’s danger. Last midweek activity in Charleston clearly affected their performance on tonight’s tough duty. Besides losing 3 crucial points, the unfortunate defeat for Orlando City cost them losing their undefeated run of 5 consecutive games in the MLS. Last but not least, the Lions also lost Aurien Collin for an unknown period of time, due to a pretty serious hamstring injury. Midweek action awaits Orlando City SC and Colorado Rapids back in the Citrus Bowl with kick-off being set at 7:30pm this upcoming Wednesday. Written by Elliot Nunez ORLANDO- Kaká scored the lone goal in front of the crowd of 30,054 fans at the Orlando Citrus Bowl as they witnessed an imperative MLS Eastern Conference matchup as the Orlando City Lions shutout D.C. United 1 to 0. This was the third time these two teams have met this season and tensions corresponded accordingly. From the get-go the Lions moved the ball fluently up and down the field, especially on left side where defender Luke Boden and midfielder Brek Shea caused chaos for D.C.’s defense. “I just think the team has grown together, the team’s jelling and the comradely within the group is getting better by the minute.” Coach Heath said when asked about the 1-0 shutout. With the Lions chemistry in tact, the Lions pressure on offense grew rapidly which caused D.C. to ensue a penalty in the box. This set up a Penalty Kick from Orlando City leading scorer Kaka who headed his own rebound off the deflection of D.C. goalkeeper Bill Hamid into goal. “I can say that I was a little bit lucky because Hamid is a very good goalkeeper. The save that he made before was amazing. And he saved the penalty as well. I was a little bit lucky. The ball came back to me, and I scored using my head.” –Said Kaka when asked about the only goal of the night. Right after the goal during the 30th minute, due to the humidity on the field, we witnessed an MLS groundbreaking moment. The first ever MLS water break. “I mean it’s important and I wish they would have done it in years past. It’s dangerous and you don’t take a few minutes to get your intake then it can affect your playing down the stretch.” Said D.C. United Midfielder Davy Arnaud. While there were no goals delivered in the 2nd half, the progress of the Lions did not go unnoticed as they powered through to the last second by holding the lead and maintaining the win. “The team’s growing. I felt more confidence from what we’ve seen tonight than five or six weeks ago." – Said Orlando City Head Coach Adrian Heath. The Orlando City Lions have a short week of rest ahead of them as they look to continue their great play and winning streak when they head into their next matchup Wednesday to play in the US Open Cup against the Battery in Charleston. “Now it’s time to get ready for the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup and think about Montreal after.” – Said Orlando City Lions captain Kaka The 5-5-5 Orlando City Lions will get back to MLS action Saturday, June 20th in Olympic Stadium where they will take on the 4-5-2 Montreal Impact. Written By: Raul Sosa CHICAGO – El Orlando City SC consiguió su primera victoria ante un rival de la Conferencia Este en la MLS y lo hizo en condición de visitante contra el histórico Chicago Fire. Fue una exquisita y merecida victoria para los leones purpura, que a pesar de estar dos veces abajo en el marcador, lograron empatar en cada ocasión y finalmente lograron la deseada victoria en el Toyota Park. Ambos rivales otorgaron un bonito partido con muchos goles en el marcador (2-3). El primer gol de la noche lo hizo el Chicago Fire donde sus atacantes inventaron una sorprendente jugada después de sacar en corto desde el banderín de tiro de esquina. La defensa del Orlando se quedó paralizada al ver la clásica jugada 1-2-1-2 de su contrincante y fue así como Kennedy logró disparar a puerta vacía ante un vencido Tally Hall que defendía su portería. 35’ minutos más tarde St. Ledger, defensor purpura, logró cabecear un excelente centro fabricado por Lewis Neal desde un tiro de esquina. El portero del Chicago Fire logró desviar el cabezazo que iba en dirección a puerta, pero para la gran fortuna del Orlando City, la pelota rebotó y se dirigió a las redes ante el mal control del defensor del Chicago Fire. Así es, el empate fue un autogol otorgado para Adailton en una nefasta noche para el olvido. El primer tiempo terminó con un gol en el marcador para cada equipo. Fue así como el Chicago Fire volvió a tomar el liderato al minuto 57’ donde Harry Ship brindó un hermoso pase entre líneas al goleador Kenndy, y este (con un increíble control dentro el área) definió la jugada que termino dentro de las redes. A falta de 9’ minutos para terminar el partido, el Orlando City estaba obligado a buscar el resultado ya que el Chicago Fire optó por defender hasta escuchar el pitido final. La substitución de Cyle Larin por Pedro Ribeiro, fue quizás, la mejor táctica por parte del entrenador Adrian Heath. Al minuto 82’, Cyle Larin se inventó un potente disparo fuera del área donde la pelota terminó pegando en el poste izquierdo y por ende, dirigiéndose hacia las redes. El empate fue un verdadero golazo. Cuando todo parecía un justo empate para ambas escuadras, Ricardo Kaká apareció con uno de esos pases que vuelven loca a la gente en los graderíos y Carlos Rivas (dentro del àrea) centró con un pase raso donde Larin no logró conectar con el balón… Pero si lo hizo el defensor Adailton, que anotó su segundo autogol de la noche y le regaló, no solo el empate, pero también la victoria al Orlando City SC. |
Orlando City Lions - MLS
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