All pictures property of Loud and Proud Orlando and Maria Alejandra Rodriguez
Orlando City drew 1-1 against the Rapids. Facundo Torres scored his 4th goal in the MLS and his 5th in all competitions. Zardes scored the equalizer and Dick Sporting Goods Stadium erupted. Orlando City had plenty chances to win the game and they were the better team throughout the 90 minutes, but their lack of finishing is still a work in progress.
In the first half, Orlando dominated possession and attacking chances. Pato and Urso found themselves connecting constantly and disrupted Colorado’s backline. As well, Facundo Torres was bothersome for the Rapids’ defense especially with his change of pace. The first chance for the hosts was in the 11th minute, Lewis curled a shot past Ruan and Gallese easily caught it. In the 22nd minute, Facundo Torres scored a true GOLAZO. Kyle Smith’s throw in was caught by Pato and the Brazilian passed it beautifully to Torres and the Uruguayan scored a banger to make it 1-0 Orlando. The home crowd was left stunned.
Orlando’s goal pushed the Rapids to start generating chances through long balls and set pieces. In 49th minute, Gallese came up big with a marvelous save containing a superb shot from Zardes. Orlando’s passing started to become predictable and Colorado started to press, recover and attack. Antonio Carlos and Orlando’s backline were able to contain the Rapids’ counterattacks. The lions started to attack constantly making the game very back and forth. In the 65th minute, Barrios beat Kyle Smith in the 1v1, and sent a superb cross to Zardes, and the USMNT striker scored, leveling the game. Two minutes later, Rubio had a chance off a wonderful header but Gallese saved Orlando once again. The lions had a couple of attacking chances through set pieces but again, they did not capitalize. Orlando kept attacking constantly and Colorado seemed cornered and out of momentum, everything pointed that the lions could win this game but in the end the game ended up in a draw. Despite the Rapids having the possession advantage throughout the game, they were not able to create as many chances as Orlando City. On the other hand, the lions need to improve of taking advantage of set pieces and work on finishing the play. Not being able to capitalize on chances has become recurrent for Orlando City.
Head Coach Oscar Pareja:
“A good point in a difficult place. I’d like to recognize the effort of the players with this continuity and proximity of the games, traveling and all those things. I think we’re finding ways to get results. I thought it was a game with two different versions. In the first half, I thought we played very well going ahead in the score and having a couple more chances. Then Colorado started reacting and in the second they overloaded us with more players up front where we couldn’t sustain the possession as we did in the first half and obviously they were more aggressive and started creating options. We had a couple of chances to win it and that’s why I think we’ll take the point and now think about the next one. It’s a difficult place with a result that today helps us to keep adding points.”
Facundo Torres netted his fifth goal in all competitions and his fourth in Major League Soccer on the night. Alexandre Pato tallied his fourth assist of the year on Torres’ 22nd minute finish. Antonio Carlos made his return to the starting lineup for the first time since being sidelined with an injury on April 2 against LAFC.
With the draw, City now holds a 4-1-2 record against the Rapids throughout Club history.
The lions with face Atlanta, tomorrow at 3pm. A MUST WIN.
Vamos Orlando!
