Orlando City defeats Columbus Crew SC 2-0 to advance to U.S. Open Cup Quarterfinals
Orlando City SC continued its run in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup tonight, defeating Eastern Conference foes Columbus Crew SC 2-0 to advance to the quarterfinals for the first time since 2013.
First half goals by Kaká (pictured above) and Carlos Rivas proved to be the difference between the two sides as City extended its unbeaten run at the Orlando Citrus Bowl to seven games and also recorded its third clean-sheet in as many matches. In addition, City’s home attendance of 13,684 signifies the second highest attended Open Cup game in 2015 for all clubs in the competition.
After an early chance from Columbus that rattled off the post, Orlando’s relentless pressure in the final third ensued with City pushing to find the back of the net. Sean St. Ledger had the ball in the net from a Kaká free kick in the 19th minute but the referee ruled it out. Moments later, in the 21st minute, a goal eventually came as Darwin Ceren intercepted the ball deep inside Crew SC’s defensive third and laid it off for Kaká, who produced a clinical right footed finish to put Orlando up 1-0.
Fifteen minutes later, Carlos Rivas (pictured above), who had been causing problems for Columbus all night, doubled City’s lead with a blistering strike from 25 yards away to send the crowd into a frenzy. The goal marked the Colombian’s fourth finish in two Open Cup games so far this season, tying him for first place in the competition.
“I’m delighted to get through it against a very good team, a well-coached team. I was pleased with the players’ attitude and desire to win the game. It was never easy at any stage during the evening,” said head coach Adrian Heath. “We sat down and spoke about this with the team. We said, ‘Can we make the playoffs? Can we be competitive in the Open Cup? Can we make it to the last game of the season?’ They know what my feelings are on the competition, and I want to win it. We are going to do everything we can, and put the necessary team out on the field to win the game.”
Lineups/Substitutions:
Orlando City SC – GK Tally Hall, D Luke Boden, Seb Hines, Sean St. Ledger, Rafael Ramos, M Darwin Ceren, Cristian Higuita, Carlos Rivas (Amobi Okugo 67’), Eric Avila, Kaka (Harrison Heath 86’), Pedro Ribeiro (Danny Mwanga 84’)
Columbus Crew SC – GK Aaron Schoenfeld, D Tyson Wahl, Emanuel Pogatetz, Chad Barson, M Tony Chani (Wil Trap 73’), Kevin George, Kristinn Steindorsson, Chris Klute, Ben Speas (Justin Meram 63’), Adam Bedell (Romain Gall 46’), F Aaron Schoenfeld
More photos at www.FloridaLeisurePhotography.com
