Loud & Proud Orlando

Orlando City defeated Toronto FC 4-0 yesterday at Exploria Stadium. It was complete domination by the Lions. Phenomenal game by Ivan Angulo and Mauricio Pereyra. Facundo Torres netted his 11th goal in all competitions, tying the team-high in 2022.

In the first half, Orlando City came out dominating possession and chances in attack. In the 4th minute, Wilder Cartagena had a chance from distance which was no good. In the 8th minute, a great assist from Kara and Angulo had a huge chance but missed with an opened goal. And in the 9th minute, Facundo Torres made things 1-0 for Orlando City. It was a GOLAZO by the Uruguayan International, after a superb back-heel assist by Antonio Carlos. Orlando owned completely the momentum of the game both offensively and defensively. Orlando City kept pushing forward and in the 20th minute, Kara had 1v1 opportunity against Westberg and Toronto’s keeper came up big on the Austrian International. In the 21st minute, off a fantastic counter, Orlando City scored the 2-0, a magnificent assist by “El Maestro”, Mauricio Pereyra and Ercan Kara scored a true golazo. Shot to the near post and Westberg just stared at the ball going in. Pereyra’s helper on Kara’s finish matched the Club single-season assists record in league play, one he currently holds for his 2021 campaign along with Kaká (2016), Yoshimar Yotún (2018) and Nani (2019). Orlando had this willingness that despite being up 2-0, they wanted more. The lions kept pushing forward. In the 40th minute, Ivan Angulo with a fantastic assist to Facundo Torres and the Uruguayan’s banger hit the left post, Kara was close to score off the rebound but could not get to shoot. The lions were feasting at Exploria Stadium.

In the second half, Orlando came out on the attacking onslaught and in the 47th minute, after a superb assist from “El Rayo” Ivan Angulo, Moutinho scored but his shot deflected on Mac Naughton. Orlando was up 3-0, Exploria erupted. Orlando City dominated shots on target, possession and most chances in attack in both halves truly an attacking fest for the lions. But wait there was more, in the 83rd minute, Iván Angulo assisted Tesho Akindele for the 4-0 Orlando lead. Tesho Akindele tallied his third goal of the season, all of which have come later than the 83rd minute. Also, Iván Angulo earned a pair of assists, bringing his season total to three. It is the first time he has notched a pair of goal contributions while donning the City uniform. 
Head Coach Oscar Pareja is undefeated against Toronto FC in five matches since taking over the helm of the Lions ahead of the 2020 regular season, posting a 4-0-1 record against the Reds in that time. As well, Orlando City became the first team in MLS history to have at least one 10-goal scorer in each of the Club’s first eight regular seasons with Ercan Kara’s 10th goal of the campaign on the evening. Kara reached double-digit MLS goals on the year, now with 10 in league play in what served as his 30th appearance for the Club.

Head Coach Oscar Pareja:

“A very complete performance with a group that is very responsible. We looked at the quantity of games with no time to rest and they came out today and they put up a very important victory and a very good performance. I thought we were solid. We kept their goals to zero, we scored goals and we had good moments on the field where the team was very connected. [I] saw a lot of good things. The boys now need to go and rest, they deserve it and [we’ll] get ready for the next three matches. We will keep pushing.”

Orlando City will travel to New Jersey to face NYCFC on October 2nd in a must win game for the lions’ play off aspirations.

Vamos Orlando!