Loud & Proud Orlando

In the first half Montreal came out with the high press and got chances to score in the first few minutes of the game. Joaquin Torres and Lappalainen started having a great game against the lions and gave the crowd a hint of what was about to take place. In the 32nd minute, Torres (Montreal) danced through the whole Orlando City backline. Three minutes later, Lassi Lappalainen (Lassi) missed a wide open goal. Montreal was easily carving up Orlando’s defense and despite Thomas Williams being able to contain an experienced striker like Romell Quioto, that was the only bright spot of the first half for a lackluster performance of Orlando City’s backline. Montreal’s play was to stop Orlando’s game through the flanks by pressing higher on either side of the field. Montreal’s first goal came up after a corner kick that left Waterman completely open to score, and he did, it was a banging header. At first, the referee ruled out the goal but after VAR review, Benji Michel did touch the ball in transition, therefore the goal was awarded to Montreal. After Montreal’s goal, Orlando attempted to regain possession and the necessary composure to create attacking plays but again the lions were unsuccessful. Before the end of the half, Pedro Gallese came up big for Orlando with two huge saves. The scoreboard could’ve looked much worse for the lions in the first half if it was not for Gallese. As well, Montreal did not take advantage of the countless chances the lions provided to them. Orlando City turned over the ball constantly and completely lost control of the midfield enabling Montreal to impose their game from the get go. Orlando City ended the first half down a goal and with only 1 shot at goal. The flashbacks of that game against NYRB started becoming a reality without a shadow of a doubt. 

In the second half, Montreal regained momentum and continued the attacking onslaught. The turnovers from Orlando City did not stop, and in the 52nd minute, Alexandre Pato turned over the ball and Montreal went for the counter and Mihailovic scored a Golazo assisted by a superb cross from Johnston. Orlando was down 2-0 and the turnaround seemed distant. Jack Mulraney, Kara and Urso came into the game for the Lions. The Irish international changed the pace of the game and attempted a couple of unsuccessful crosses that were contained superbly by Montreal’s backline. In the 69th minute, Mulraney won a corner for Orlando City, Pereyra went to the spot and magically crossed the ball to Joao Moutinho who scored off a header and put the lions on the scoreboard. 2-1. It seemed that after Orlando City scored the lions were going to gain some momentum but it did not happen. The Lions were still not able to control the midfield, and the turnover galore continued making it easy for Montreal to defend and to create transition attacking plays. Montreal was able to score two more on Orlando and both were off unnecessary turnovers. In the 81st minute, Torres (Montreal) scored a golazo past Pedro Gallese, nothing to do, and Orlando’s backline allowed Montreal to create that attacking play. And in the 84th minute, Brault-Guillard got the ball after Perea turned it over, went in transition,  and shot the ball superbly past Pedro Gallese. Final score 4-1. 

Coach Oscar Pareja in the post press conference mentioned, “For us we faced a team that had a lot of initiatives going forward and we couldn’t first get the ball back and second we didn’t create much. There was a point in the second half where we woke up a bit and started being more of ourselves, but it just came out that way with mistakes that just allowed them to score the goals and kept them away from a better performance. A very favorable result for Montréal and we’re going to push forward for better results.” 

Orlando City will face the Philadelphia Union Tuesday night for the U.S Open Cup and have a huge chance to turn their performance around. Then, they will travel back to Canada and face Toronto FC Saturday. 

Vamos Orlando!