Orlando City defeats Colorado Rapids to extend unbeaten home streak
Orlando City SC (6-6-5, 23 points) continued its impressive run at home, extending its unbeaten streak to five games with a convincing 2-0 win over the Colorado Rapids (2-5-9, 15 points) before a boisterous crowd of 23,372.
The Lions controlled much of play from early on, securing a number of close chances in the opening minutes of the match and controlling possession in the half by a margin of 62-38. Kaká led the team in the attack for the evening, recording seven shots on goal – a high for the captain this season. Colorado had a couple of good opportunities on goal, including a breakaway by Luis Solignac, which was saved by a charging Tally Hall. Despite the Lions’ aggressive attacking play, the half ended deadlocked at 0-0.
In the start of the second half, the Lions continued to mount the pressure in search for the opening goal. Carlos Rivas, a first half substitution for Brek Shea, inspired the team in the second half, beating two defenders to play a cross into Cyle Larin (pictured above), who tapped in a brilliant goal in the 62nd minute. Three minutes later, Colombian Cristian Higuita played a ball to Kaká (pictured below), who scored his eighth goal of the season, tying him for second in the league. GK Hall held on to preserve his second consecutive clean sheet at home, and third of the season.
“I’m obviously delighted with the win. I thought it was a magnificent effort from the guys, considering that we’ve had four games in 10, 11 days, along with all of the traveling that we’ve done,” said head coach Adrian Heath. “I was concerned when we got back from Montreal because we have so many players carrying knocks at the minute. It’s unbelievable. To put in the effort that they’ve done and to work as hard as they’ve done. To get the result was nothing short of fantastic from their point of view. Great commitment, desire, and it was a great response from the disappointment of Saturday night.”
First Half:
- 1’ Orlando opened the game with an early chance when Cyle Larin got on the end of Luke Boden’s cross in the six. Larin’s header was whipped to the near post but took a deflection on its way to the target.
- 6’ Colorado came close to breaking through five minutes later, after forcing a turnover deep in the City’s half. Luis Solignac broke through for a one-on-one chance, but Tally Hall came off his line strongly to make the save.
- 8’ The chances continued for City when Rafael Ramos found Neal for a prime opportunity in the box, but the Englishman’s header was saved by goalkeeper Clint Irwin.
- 23’ As the game approached the midway mark in the first half, Orlando City remained in control of the game, dominating possession 66-34.
- 33’ Brek Shea was very active in the first half for City, dropping in deep to combine in the midfield while creating chances for himself. With less than 15 minutes remaining, Shea fired a low effort from distance but pulled it wide of the target.
- 40’ However, shortly afterward, Shea was brought off by Heath for speedy winger Carlos Rivas after the U.S. international appeared to suffer an injury.
- 41’ Moments before the halftime whistle, Kaká produced Orlando’s best chance of the half after surging into Colorado’s box. The Brazilian, who had a tight angle to get a shot off, attempted to clip the ball over Irwin but the goalkeeper managed to deflect it wide.
- 45 (+1) At the end of the first half, both teams went into the changing rooms level 0-0.
Second Half:
- 54’ Orlando’s strong chances continued in the second half when Ramos cut inside and found Kaká for a golden chance. The playmaker tried to slot the ball in the corner but saw his shot ricochet off the post instead.
- 61’ With the Wall urging them on, the Lions would eventually break through in a play straight from the training ground. Rivas used his pace to beat two defenders on the left side before driving a low ball across the area to Larin, who calmly tucked away his sixth goal of the season.
- 65’ Four minutes later, great build up play on the counter led to another goal for Orlando City, as Kaká was rewarded for his excellent play throughout the game. With Rapids lacking numbers in defense, Higuita drove deep into their half before laying the ball wide for Kaká, who blasted it into the bottom corner.
- 80’ With the 2-0 lead Orlando City were flying on all cylinders in the final third, putting on a show for the fans in attendance. Rafael Ramos’ blistering effort from 26 yards away in the 80th minute forced a difficult save from Irwin to prevent a third goal.
- 88’ City threatened again in the final two minutes when Kaká ran on to Ramos’ through ball and fired on target.
- 90 (+3)’ The referee blew the final whistle, resulting in a 2-0 victory for the Lions.
Team 1 2 Final
Orlando City SC 0 2 2
Colorado Rapids 0 0 0
Scoring Summary:
ORL: Cyle Larin (Carlos Rivas) 61’
ORL: Kaká (Cristian Higuita) 65’
Misconduct Summary:
COL: Dillon Serna (Yellow Card) 40’
ORL: Rafael Ramos (Yellow Card) 67’’
Lineups/Substitutions:
Orlando City SC – GK Tally Hall, D Rafael Ramos, Seb Hines, Sean St. Ledger, Luke Boden, M Darwin Cerén, Cristian Higuita, Lewis Neal, Brek Shea (Carlos Rivas 37’ – Eric Avila 89’), Kaká, F Cyle Larin (Pedro Ribeiro 68’)
Colorado Rapids – GK Clint Irwin, D Marc Burch, Joseph Greenspan, Shane O’Neill, Drew Moor, M Dillon Serna (Gabriel Torres 67’), Marcelo Sarvas (Sam Cronin 71’), Kevin Doyle (Charles Eloundou 59’), Lucas Pittinari, Dillon Powers, F Luis Solignac
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