Thank you to Orlando City Communications for all pictures shown in this editorial.
By: Luis Carlos Pineda
Orlando City lost 3-0 against the NYRB at Exploria Stadium in front of 17,503 fans. Some of the positives, was Jack Lynn making his debut in the MLS, and Thomas Williams playing his second game with the first team. The negatives, not only that Orlando had their worst game in a long time both offensively and defensively, but also the lions only had 3 shots on goal in 90 minutes.
Orlando City in the first half, came out ready to dominate possession as usual. But, the lions were met with a Red Bulls team that was ready to go for the kill. NYRB started to press high from the get go and playing overly physical. Orlando City, on the other hand, had two back to back turnovers that turned into chances in attack for the Red Bulls.
In the 4th minute, Fletcher elbowed Rodrigo Schlegel and the referee did not call it. Three minutes later, Fletcher tackled Ruan and blatantly stepped on his face. Referee Chilowicz allowed NYRB to play overly physical and also started to call out non existent fouls for Orlando City players. One of the bright spots of the first half was how Araujo contained Lewis Morgan in a very good defensive hustle play. The former Inter Miami player has always been bothersome for Orlando’s backline and today was not the exception. In the 26th minute, Luquinhas scored for NYRB after the whole backline let the Brazilian shoot the ball past Pedro Gallese. He was too fast for our whole backline. In the 33rd minute, the referee started to hand out yellows for NYRB. Fletcher finally got one, and eight minutes later, Luquinhas, Nealis and Edwards. Before the end of the half, Pedro Gallese delivered a superb save. He contained a close range shot that could’ve been the 2-0 for NYRB. Orlando City, finished the half down 1-0, 0 shots on goal, 62% possession. NYRB had 38% possession but was way more effective offensively and defensively compared to the lions. Seems as the lions’ momentum was succumbing while the NYRB’s was rising to the occasion.
In the second half, Coach Oscar Pareja made two substitutions. Benji Michel entered the game for Alexandre Pato and Thomas Williams (his 2nd game with the first team) subbed in for Junior Urso. Pareja’s plan was to execute the 3-5-2 formation he was using in the past few games. While Williams did have another great showdown with the first team, Benji was not influential in the attacking third for Orlando. This is because NYRB was containing Orlando’s game on the flanks. In the 48th minute, NYRB scored the 2-0 and left the lions demoralized. Venezuelan international, Casseres Jr. was too quick for Orlando’s backline. As well, he was given space to go into the 1v1 against Gallese. Orlando City, in the face of adversity kept attempting to dominate possession but nothing seemed to be working for the lions offensively, on the other hand, they started to constantly turning over the ball. In the 76th minute, Schlegel had a good chance for Orlando to put the 1-2 but unfortunately it was no good. In the 87th minute, after a NYRB set piece, VAR confirmed that Rodrigo Schlegel committed a hand ball and the referee called out penalty in favor of NYRB. Lewis went to the spot and scored. Red Bulls were up 0-3, and the game was over for Orlando, all hope was lost. Fans, started walking out the stadium as well. It was one of the worst games for Orlando City in a long time, but in my humble opinion, the supporters need to be with the team in good and bad. Otherwise, the soccer culture in the United States will not improve whatsoever.
Oscar Pareja in post press conference mentioned: “Obviously disappointed with the result because when we compete, we always try to get a result but even more than that. In terms of our performance, we’re fully responsible. It was far from our normal so we’re sorry to the fans that came. We wanted to have joy, but we couldn’t do it. I thought New York outplayed us today and I have to accept that they were much better than us.”
Mauricio Pereyra added: “We have a lot to improve, but I still believe in the team and what we can accomplish together, today we lost at home, but before we won three straight, we can get back to winning ways, I am sure of it”.
Orlando City will look to ignite its winning ways against Charlotte FC on April 30th at Exploria Stadium.
Vamos Orlando!
