Orlando City Soccer records second MLS victory in Portland
Orlando City Soccer Club recorded only their second ever win in Major League Soccer when they traveled to Portland today to record a 2-0 win.
Rookie Cyle Larin scored in his first full start for the club, as he chested the ball in from close range from a Kevin Molino cross while the clubs Brazilian legend, Kaká added a second goal from the penalty spot after Carlos Rivas was upended in the penalty box by Portland goalkeeper Adam Kwarasey.
Former Portland goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts also earned his second clean sheet of the season to help Orlando City improve their record to 2-2-2 this season. Impressively, the Lions have not lost in their three road games this season.
The loss snapped a seven-game unbeaten streak at home for the Timbers (1-2-3), dating back to last season.
Kaká’s decisive penalty kick came in the 85th minute. Kwarasey saved the Brazilian star’s first attempt, but he was ordered to retake it after three Portland player’s were correctly called for encroachment. The Brazilian made no mistake with his second effort as he slotted home high into the center of the net.
It was an important victory for the Lions after suffering last minute losses in their last two home games but Head Coach Adrian Heath will know that much work still needs to be done to turn the team into a really competitive force.
After the game he remarked: “Overall, I’m a firm believer of ‘you get out what you put in,’ and these guys have put so much in during the past few weeks with not a lot of reward. Today, I thought the guys got a bit of payback for maybe D.C. or Vancouver.”
Lineups/Substitutions:
Orlando City SC – GK Donovan Ricketts, D Brek Shea, Aurélien Collin, Seb Hines, Rafael Ramos, M Amobi Okugo, Darwin Cerén, Cristian Higuita (Eric Avila 69′), Kevin Molino, Kaká, F Cyle Larin (Carlos Rivas 81′)
Portland Timbers – GK Adam Kwarasey, D Nat Borchers, Jorge Villafana (Gaston Fernandez 81′), Alvas Powell, Liam Ridgewell, M Darlington Nagbe, Rodney Wallace (Dairon Asprilla 54′), Diego Chara, George Fochive (Jack Jewsbury 46′), F Fanendo Adi, Maximiliano Urruti
Attendance: 21,144
