Orlando City Stock Watch: Tommy Redding Introduces Himself to MLS

The last-place team in MLS’s Eastern Conference escaped Orlando with a point, as Orlando City couldn’t take all three at home against the Philadelphia Union, just three days after losing 4-1 at Toronto — thanks to a hat trick from Sebastian Giovinco.

Rising

Tally Hall – While the defense as a whole struggled against Toronto, it’s safe to say Tally came to play Saturday night, shutting down the Union attack down the stretch to save the 0-0 draw.

I wasn't talking about that time.

Or that time.

Hall was the best Lion on the pitch at home, delivering the first clean sheet since June and saving City from a disappointing home defeat at the hands of Philadelphia.

Tommy Redding – Showing off unparalleled poise in making his MLS debut off the bench just 10 minutes after the opening whistle of the Union match when Conor Donovan went down with injury, Redding rose to the occasion and influenced the game from the moment his studs entered the sideline. Apt on defense with four clearances, his completion of all 33 attempted passes particularly stood out on this night.

While we wait for David Mateos to arrive and make his mark, it's exciting to see another young Lion show his worth with the unexpected opportunity.

Luke Boden – The healthy half of the Killer Bees scored the only goal in Toronto while putting forth a stellar defensive effort (two tackles, two clearances, two interceptions, and two blocks), going on to be a force against the Union with his five clearances and 87% passing accuracy. Be it as a midfielder or fullback, Boden has proven to be crucial on the left as Orlando battles the injury bug.

Falling

Cyle Larin – Not an awful week for Kid Fantastic, but after his recent dazzling stretch where he scored goals as easily as most of us order our morning coffee, putting two shots on target in two games isn’t going to keep that lofty stock on the climb. He’s struggled to get the same chances as defenders tighten up on the surging rookie and begin playing rougher. It’ll be important for Larin to continue finding ways to be dangerous when chances come his way, but equally important for the midfield to rediscover their previous lethal distribution for the goals to keep coming in.

Lewis Neal – Playing half an hour in Toronto before an hour against Philly, Neal played his trademark safe game that simply didn’t bring the goods this week. He’s shown flashes of phenomenal work, but at times like we witnessed this week, he can be prone to 60% passing games that do more to hurt than help.