Orlando City defeats Montreal Impact in must win match at Citrus Bowl
Orlando City SC battled to overcome an early injury to Rafael Ramos and Tommy Redding to defeat Montreal Impact 2-1 before the third largest crowd at the Orlando Citrus Bowl this season. Going into the game the Lions were four points behind the Canadian side who also have two games in hand as both teams chase an end of season play off place. With everything on the line, some 35,421 fans attended the game and in doing so ensured that Orlando became the fastest team in MLS history to host a half million fans at home games.
The game started badly for Orlando as both Seb Hines and Luke Boden were substituted into the match in the 4th minute for Redding and Ramos, respectively, after the two were involved in a sickening collision in the Lions’ third of the field. Rookie Major League Soccer (MLS) goal-scoring record holder Cyle Larin then extended his goal tally to 15 for the season, firing home in the 33rd minute as his shot deflected off the hands of Impact goalkeeper Evan Bush and into the net to give Orlando the lead.
Impact forward Dominic Oduro then leveled the hotly contested match in the 44th minute with a controversial goal. The ball appeared to be secured by Orlando goalkeeper Tally Hall but it was kicked out of his gloves by Oduro and into the net. The second half continued with the same level of intensity on both sides of the ball, as Montreal and Orlando played for the coveted three points that would either settle Orlando’s season or keep them alive to fight another day. A total of eight cautions were distributed in the match by referee Edvin Jurisevic.
Orlando’s make shift back line turned in another stellar performance, holding Montreal to only two shots in the second half while the Lions pressed forward in search of the winning goal. Seb Hines would ultimately break through in the 80th minute, volleying a shot past Bush after the ball bounced off Didier Drogba following a City corner.
“It’s never easy winning games of football that you have to win. It comes with extra pressure. Winning football games is hard enough as it is without going into the game knowing that anything less than the victory won’t do,” said Heath “But I thought the attitude of the players was absolutely magnificent and I thought we completely deserved the three points. A few weeks ago I said I believe this team could win four or five and I still think we can finish the season off unbeaten, and if we do I think that’ll give us a great chance.”
Orlando now moves to 41 points in the Eastern Conference and will be hoping that Montreal, 42 points, fail to pick up any points in their four remaining fixtures. Orlando play New York City next on 16th October in their final home game of the season before wrapping up their season against Philadelphia Union at PPL Park on 25th October.
Lineups/Substitutions:
Orlando City SC – GK Tally Hall, D Rafael Ramos (Luke Boden 11’), Tommy Redding (Seb Hines 11’), Brek Shea, M Darwin Ceren, Servando Carrasco, Carlos Rivas, Lewis Neal (Bryan Rochez 69’), Kaka, F Cyle Larin
Unused Subs: GK Josh Ford, M Eric Avila, Adrian Winter, F Pedro Ribeiro, Bryan Rochez
Montreal Impact – GK Evan Bush, D Victor Cabrera, Laurent Ciman, Ambroise Oyongo, Danny Toia, M Patrice Bernier (Eric Alexander 86’), Marco Donadel, Nigel Reo-Coker, Johan Venegas, F Dominic Oduro (Dider Drogba 59’), Andres Romero (Dily Duka 68’)
Unused Subs: GK Eric Kronberg, D Hassoun Camara, Wandrille Lefevre, Maxim Tissot
More photos at www.FloridaLeisurePhotography.com
