Orlando City completes pre-season program with 6-1 win over Esporte Clube Bahia
Orlando City completed their pre-season program with a comfortable 6-1 win over Brazilian side Esporte Clube Bahia at the Orlando Citrus Bowl earlier tonight.
The visitors took a shock early lead in the first minute as Zé Roberto latched onto a through ball and slipped it through the legs of Lion’s keeper Joe Bendik. Orlando then hit back in the 12th minute as Kaká provided what would be the first of four assists for Seb Hines (pictured below) who neatly nodded home the corner at the far post.
Orlando created further chances but efforts from Cyle Larin, Kaká and Darwin Cerén were all thwarted as the teams went in all level at the break.
Immediately after the break Bahia had a chance to take the lead as a defensive mistake let them in but the chance went wide and after that the game became all one way traffic as the home team launched attack after attack.
Hines completed a headed hat-trick with goals in the 58th and 71st minutes before adding his 4th and the team’s 5th in the 86th minute. In between, the impressive Pedro Riberio (pictured below) struck a powerful shot to make it 4-1 and then Cerén rounded off proceedings in the 88th minute with a clever chip over the goalkeeper from the edge of the box.
“We played very well tonight. I’m happy with the result,” said City Head Coach Adrian Heath. “After the first goal conceded, we used that momentum to push ourselves to get a goal. We are right where we want to be for season. We are working on getting back on defense and getting better at keeping our formations.”
For Hines it was the first hat-trick of his career and after the game the delighted defender said: “I was attacking any ball that was in the box. To score four is something I’m very proud of. I couldn’t believe I had the opportunity [to score four goals]. Working on the head set piece has been really important and it has really paid off. We have the players with the stature to do it and working has really paid off. I hope I can continue to score off of corners and set pieces and help the team. Everyone has a desire to score and hopefully continue to be successful. We continue to work hard and it shows the character of the team. I think the win today is great for the morale of the team. The team has definitely grown together, we communicate great and work well together.”
Orlando City will look to continue its pre-season form into the 2016 MLS opener on March 6 against Real Salt Lake. City will be looking to #FillTheBowlAgain, when the match kicks off at 2 p.m. at the Orlando Citrus Bowl.
Lineups/Substitutions:
Orlando City SC – GK Joe Bendik, D Seb Hines, Brek Shea, David Mateos, Rafael Ramos, M Darwin Cerén, Kevin Molino (Adrian Winter 60’), Servando Carrasco, Pedro Ribeiro, Kaká F Cyle Larin
Esporte Clube Bahia – GK Marcelo Lomba (Jean 45’), D Hayner, Gustavo (Robson 42’), Dede, Moises (Joao Paulo 18’), M Paulo Roberto (Juninho 74’), Yuri (Danilo Pires 64’), Romulo, F Hernane (Gustavo Blanco 45’), Luisinho (Cristano 45’), Zé Roberto (Edigar Junio 74’)
More photos at www.FloridaLeisurePhotography.com
