Lineups: Based on our last episode, we actually almost got the starting lineup right. The only thing we seemed to miss was that Schlegel started for Brekalo due to the Slovenian king’s small knock on their last game. Pareja also went all in for Facundo Torres at the 10, and also Duncan McGuire started, and Muriel took a seat on the bench.
In the first half, the lions came into the game determined to surprise Cincinnati but The visitors stunned the wall with a golazo from Luciano Acosta before the 1st minute of play. The Argentinean caught Orlando’s backline sleeping and the lions got punished. After Cincy’s goal it was all back and forth and the lions started tapping onto that resilience that they showed in previous games trailing one goal down. Rodrigo had a horrible defensive botch and Cincinnati almost went up 2-0. In 20 minutes, Orlando had several chances but did not score. The fans hoped for a turnaround, but it was clear, we were witnessing one of the worst games the lions have played all season long. In the 23rd minute, Yuya Kubo was fouled by Rodrigo Schlegel. VAR determined that it was a straight red for Rodrigo and Orlando City went down 10 men. Nothing was going right for the lions. Fans started to chant obscenities and started to taking it out on Ohio. Screaming F, Ohio. In our opinion, the VAR call was correct. Foul from behind from Rodri. Orlando down to 10. Then, Oscar Pareja subbed in Brekalo for Ojeda. Fans questioned Pareja for this substitution, but in the post presser “El Profe” mentioned he did this to assist his wing backs defensively. Oscar did not want Cincy to score three or four before the first half. Added, the lions’ attacking third was not having their best day either way. Pareja changed the team’s system to a 3-5-2, Dagur Dan and Santos as wingbacks, Robin Jansson, Cartagena and Brekalo as center backs, Araujo as a lone six, with Facundo Torres and Ivan Angulo as attacking midfielders, and Duncan McGuire as the lone striker up top. Orlando City hoped for a turnaround in momentum and to at least level the game before the half ended. That did not happen. Cincinnati grew in momentum, and started to become more used to controlling the pace of the game. In my opinion, Oscar Pareja should’ve taken out Facundo Torres or even Duncan McGuire, Ojeda is a player that could create and even play as a lone striker. But again, Oscar mentioned he wanted his wing backs to be helped out defensively. The half ended with Orlando down with 10 men and Cincinnati completely dominating the game.
In the second half, Orlando City came on the attacking onslaught with 10 men. Two clear attempts almost became goals for Orlando but Cincinnati’s backline especially Miles Robinson, came up big time. Bad luck struck again for the lions, Rafael Santos dislocated his shoulder and medics attempted to put it back in place but the Brazilian could not continue, Nico Lodeiro was subbed in. The game was very back and forth, Orlando was playing better with 10 men believe it or not. They seemed to be more compact and their resilience was fueling every single chance in attack. Wilder Cartagena scored and leveled the game in the 68th minute as he shot a rocket into the back of the net. Unfortunately, the goal was disallowed. Facundo Torres was offside. The referee never went to the monitor for the VAR review. Nothing was going right for the lions. Luis Muriel came in as well but barely touched the ball and actually he did turn it over some. In the 78th minute, Halsey from Cincinnati was sent off with a second yellow and the game was even with 10 men each. Luis Muriel won a free kick in the 85th minute and Lodeiro took it, but he sent it right at Celentano. In the 88th minute, Angulo dribbled past Alvas Powell on the left and crossed the ball into the middle. Lodeiro shot the ball and Celentano threw up a hand and had a huge save. Orlando City saw a small light down the tunnel and it seemed they were going all in for the draw. But, the light was immediately turned off. Orlando City lost at home vs. FC Cincinnati, in front of 21 thousand fans.
Orlando City will travel to Subaru Park to face the Philadelphia Union on May 11th.
Support the team through thick and thin.
Until then, Vamos Orlando!
