Connect with us

Orlando City

Orlando City vs. Chicago Fire: Player Grades and Man of the Match from Week 2

Published

9 years ago

on

Orlando City came out looking for three points and got only one for the second time in a week and the Lions have no one to blame but themselves. Even with Chicago down to 10 men, poor touches in the final third and shockingly bad service from out wide doomed City to just a 1-1 draw at the Citrus Bowl against a feisty Fire club.

The less said about the result against a 10-man team that gave up four goals last week, the better. Here are my player grades from the match.

Starters

GK, Joe Bendik, 6 — In fairness, there wasn’t much for Bendik to do. He couldn’t do much with Accam’s breakaway and other than that he didn’t have much to do. He faced two shots on target and stopped one.

D, Brek Shea, 5.5 — Aside from a few good crosses and a good run or two, there wasn’t much quality from Brek. He had a few unsure moments in the back, but did well for the most part to keep crosses from out wide from getting into the box, aside from a few early ones.

D, Seb Hines, 5 — Mixed bag from Seb, who got absolutely toasted by David Accam on the goal, but that’s not really his fault. Goossens played a terrific long ball and Hines (and pretty much anyone else) is no match for Accam’s pace. Could have taken a card perhaps to keep from giving up the chance. Had a few nervy moments in defense and wasn’t as dominant as usual in the air. Did make one saving tackle to prevent an Accam breakaway after the speedy forward got past Tommy Redding.

D, Tommy Redding, 5.5 — Did a bit better handling Igboananike than Hines perhaps, and made a few desperate challenges to break up some attacks at the last minute, including a saving touch on a cross that was labeled for Igboananike. The touch was just enough to send it off the Fire player and out for a goal kick. Still, there were a few too many nervy moments.

D, Rafael Ramos, 4.5 — A few too many uncharacteristically heavy touches and some really rough crosses for the Portuguese youth international. Ramos created space out on the right but did precious little with it and was hesitant to challenge defenders to the end line. Had a step a few times and still got his cross blocked by hesitating.

MF, Servando Carrasco, 4.5 — Sat behind his two defensive midfield teammates and mostly did OK breaking up plays but his passing wasn’t as sharp as it was Sunday and his long balls were just a touch long a few times. Took a needless yellow card on a silly challenge that gave Chicago a free kick in a good spot. He finished with a good passing rating but won only one tackle and conceded three fouls.

MF, Cristian Higuita, 4 — Miserable night for Higuita in his first game of the season in terms of heavy touches and poor passes in the attacking half. Ruined a number of promising attacks with a poor pass that was left far too close to a defender, particularly when City was up a man. Was again a bit reckless in his challenges and too hotheaded and confrontational, but he mostly did a good job in the defensive half and will likely be better with a game under his belt.

MF, Antonio Nocerino, 5 — I’ll give the newcomer a neutral grade for his first competitive match since August. Early on he was a factor in the attack, working well with his teammates on the left side. As he tired, teammates bypassed him or couldn’t find him. Lost the ball that led to Chicago’s goal, but he lost it at the top of the Fire box, so it’s hard to blame him for the longball counter. Looks much better than most of his teammates at controlling the ball at his feet in traffic. I look forward to seeing more of the Italian.

MF, Kevin Molino, 6 — Again the Trinidadian was dangerous but his final product left a lot to be desired, completing only 76% of his passes but still created a game-high four chances. He got too cute in the attacking third on multiple occasions. Did well to set up Larin for the Orlando City goal, nearly had one of his own with a shot that forced a diving save from Matt Lampson and came close to sending in Larin, Winter and Hadji Barry. Unfortunately, for every one of those, there were two or three balls off the legs of the defender in front of him, or an attempt to thread a perfect ball through traffic, when a safer option was available. Earned a late free kick with a nifty run.

MF, Adrian Winter, 5.5 — The Energizer Bunny is less effective over a full 90 minutes than he is in a super sub role. Winter was perhaps the best player in purple in the first 45 minutes but he completely disappeared after the break. In the opening half, he worked well to send Ramos forward out wide to the right, and yet was still dangerous in the middle of the pitch, working with Molino and Larin.

F, Cyle Larin, 6 (Man of the Match) — Opened the scoring with a good goal and his movement early in the game was a real problem for Chicago. Nearly scored the winner late but hit the post and also was pulled down in the box in the dying moments but was never going to get a penalty call up a man at home like that. Had some issues in hold-up play at times on the night but continues to be a danger man on a weekly basis.

Substitutes

MF, Pedro Ribeiro (63′), 4.5 — Fired a stunning laser that got the woodwork in the late going but other than that he was poor off the bench, completing just 68.8% of his passes. Had two tackles and drew a foul but not the best of nights for Ribeiro.

F, Hadji Barry (73′), 3 — He’s fast, but what else does Barry do well at this point? He had just seven touches in his 21 or so minutes and didn’t attempt a pass. Was slotted in by Molino and just tried to shoot immediately when a chip would have netted a game winner. It’s unfair to expect such a savvy play from a rookie, perhaps, but that was an opportunity to shine. Did not officially get a shot for that chance and did not create a chance or win a foul.

* * *

So, those are my grades and I’m sure you’ll waste no time telling me how wrong they are. Feel free to vent below in the comments section and don’t forget to vote for Man of the Match.

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

Lion Links

Lion Links: 1/21/25

Orlando Pride release preseason camp roster, scouting Costa Rica, women’s soccer transfer grades, and more.

Published

23 hours ago

on

January 21, 2025

By

Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

Good morning, everyone! If you had yesterday off for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, then I hope you enjoyed some restful time off. If not, then I hope you got your week started off on a good and productive note. There’s a lot going on around here this week as the United States Men’s National Team is in town, and Orlando City will play its first preseason match on Saturday. That means we have plenty to discuss, so let’s dig into today’s links.

Orlando Pride Drop Preseason Roster

Monday might have been a holiday but the Orlando Pride were busy, as they announced the roster for their upcoming preseason camp. Almost all of the usual suspects from the 2024 season are back, as the Pride return 98% of the player-minutes from last season and every single scorer. Mariana Larroquette is on the list although she’s currently on loan in Argentina, and Amanda Allen is likewise included after her loan at Lexington Sporting Club was terminated due to a torn labrum. The biggest intrigue comes from the trio of non-roster invitees: goalkeeper DeAira Jackson, midfielder Aryssa Mahrt, and forward Simone Jackson.

Scouting Costa Rica

The USMNT takes on Costa Rica on Wednesday at Inter&Co Stadium to wrap up the team’s annual January camp. Like the U.S., Costa Rica is bringing a roster devoid of the majority of its important players. Costa Rica also has a new manager at the helm in Miguel Herrera, who will take charge of the team for the very first time on Wednesday. Herrera typically lines his teams up in a 5-3-2 where the wingbacks take on a very important role and the team looks to hit on the counter while staying compact at the back. This will be the last time we see the USMNT in action until the Concacaf Nations League semifinals in early March.

Women’s Soccer January Transfer Grades

January has been a busy time for transfers in the women’s soccer world, so which teams have done the best business? Well, the Orlando Pride received an A grade for signing Marta to a new two-year deal, retaining a player who helped the team win its first ever trophies. Liverpool got an A for signing Julia Bartel on loan from Chelsea. Leicester City made an interesting call by transferring goalkeeper Lize Kop to Tottenham despite just being a point above the relegation zone. The Foxes get a C for the move, while Spurs get a B+ for adding a capable netminder.

Americans in Midweek Action

There are a number of Americans taking part in some very important games over the course of this week. Weston McKennie, Tim Weah, and Juventus face Club Brugge today in the UEFA Champions League, while Ricardo Pepi, Richy Ledezma, Esmir Bajraktarević, Malik Tillman and PSV Eindhoven take on Crvena Zvezda in the same competition. Christian Pulisic, Yunus Musah, and AC Milan will play Girona in the UCL on Wednesday, while Cameron Carter-Vickers, Auston Trusty, and Celtic take on Young Boys. On Friday, John Tolkin could make his Bundesliga debut when his new team, Holstein Kiel, travels to face Wolfsburg.

Free Kicks

  • Orlando Pride players reported for their preseason physicals on Monday.
  • Meanwhile, Orlando City took on the dreaded beep test during Monday’s training session.

That’s all I have for you today. Vamos Orlando!

Continue Reading

Orlando City

Striker Suddenly a Position of Need for Orlando City

Departures and a key injury mean Orlando City needs a striker heading into the 2025 MLS season.

Published

2 days ago

on

January 20, 2025

By

Image Courtesy of Orlando City SC

Orlando City reached the Eastern Conference Final for the first time in 2024, a milestone for the club. The core of the team was locked up through the 2025 season, so there was no reason to believe it needed to add much this off-season. Unfortunately, injuries and departures have created a serious problem for the team.

The group of forwards last year consisted of Duncan McGuire, Ramiro Enrique, and Jack Lynn. McGuire scored 15 goals in 2023 and was expected to depart for Blackburn Rovers before a clerical error allowed the Lions to keep their target man. The team’s primary striker scored 11 goals in 37 games — the same number as the previous season — but split time starting with Enrique. The Argentinian improved greatly in 2024, increasing his total goal tally from four to 12. Even Lynn showed tremendous improvement last year, playing a greater role in the team and scoring his first two MLS goals.

The future also seemed bright for the Orlando City forwards because of their ages. Lynn is the oldest of the trio at just 25 years old. Meanwhile, McGuire and Enrique are only 23, so there was no reason to believe this group couldn’t produce this coming season.

The problem at striker began in the postseason when McGuire was pulled down by Charlotte FC midfielder Djibril Diani in the final first round game of the playoffs. McGuire suffered a shoulder injury during the challenge that required surgery on Dec. 13. It’s expected that the striker could take four to five months to return to action, possibly leaving him out until May or June.

Another blow to Orlando’s attack occurred Saturday when Lynn surprisingly announced his retirement from professional soccer. In just over a month, Orlando City went from having three strikers to having just one as preseason training starts.

With McGuire injured and Lynn gone, one option would be to have Designated Player Luis Muriel play up top. However, the Colombian prefers to play a more withdrawn position and proved to be effective in that role last year. Since Head Coach Oscar Pareja prefers to play a 4-2-3-1 formation, the Lions need someone up top to control the ball and involve the midfielders in the attack. That’s not Muriel’s game.

The result of these issues is that nobody is currently behind Enrique when the season begins. If the Argentinian gets tired, hurt, or simply needs rest, Pareja is limited in his options. 

Whether there was a lack of strikers or a lack of goals from the position previously, that problem was resolved by the club’s all-time leading goal scorer. Facundo Torres scored 20 goals in 2024, becoming the first player in Orlando City’s MLS history and the second player in club history to do so. He went on to set a new club record for total goals of 47.

However, Orlando City sold its best player to Brazilian side Palmeiras on Dec. 20. It was a gut punch to fans as Torres had signed a new contract on Jan. 10, 2024 that ran through the 2026 season. There had been talk for the last couple of years that the attacker would look for a move to Europe and rumors of a move to South America arose this off-season. Still, it created a huge gap the club has to fill.

There are players on the roster that can make up for the injury and departures. Martin Ojeda had a strong season in 2024, finishing with seven goals and 13 assists. His seven goals ranked fourth on the team and his 13 assists topped the squad alongside Nico Lodeiro. Muriel came on strong later in the season, finishing with five goals and eight assists. But those numbers are a long way from the 20 goals that Torres tallied last year.

Even if you consider all goal contributions, Ojeda and Muriel fall well short of Torres. Ojeda had a total of 20 goal contributions in 2024 while Muriel had 13. In addition to Torres’s 20 goals, he added nine assists for a team-leading 29 goal contributions.

All of this information leads to one undeniable fact — Orlando City needs to sign a striker prior to the season. And there’s not much time for Luiz Muzzi to act. The European transfer window closes on Feb. 3 and many MLS teams have already been filling similar needs. With the season starting in just over a month, the options will be limited if the Lions don’t do something soon.

After the best postseason finish in Orlando City’s MLS history, things were looking good heading into 2025. While the back line and most of the midfield is returning, McGuire’s injury and the departure of Torres and Lynn have left the Lions in a tough spot offensively. If they don’t do something in the next couple of weeks, it could be a long 2025.

Continue Reading

Lion Links

Lion Links: 1/20/25

Orlando City signs Nicolas Rodriguez, Jack Lynn announces retirement, USMNT defeats Venezuela in friendly, and more.

Published

2 days ago

on

January 20, 2025

By

Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

Hello, Mane Landers! I hope you’re all having a good holiday weekend as we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Over the past week, I’ve been working and covering high school ice hockey. It will be a busy week in Orlando, with the United States Men’s National Team’s match against Costa Rica on Wednesday and Orlando City’s first preseason match against Atletico Mineiro on Saturday. We’ve got plenty to cover today, so let’s get to the links.

Orlando City Signs Nicolas Rodriguez

Orlando City announced on Friday that the club has signed forward Nicolas Rodriguez from Fortaleza CEIF in Colombia’s top flight. The deal is through the 2027 season, with a club option for 2028, and Rodriguez will occupy a MLS U22 Initiative slot. Rodriguez made 19 appearances for Fortaleza, recording 1,607 minutes, five goals, and three assists during the 2024 Primera A Clausura season. The Lions add a young attacking player the club can develop and Rodriguez can play on the right wing, the right side of a three-man midfield, or in the No. 10 spot.

Jack Lynn Announces Retirement

Orlando City forward Jack Lynn announced his retirement from professional soccer on Saturday. Lynn was drafted by Orlando in the first round of the 2022 MLS SuperDraft. He became a regular starter for Orlando City B, scoring a team-record 38 goals in over three seasons with the MLS NEXT Pro side. Lynn also won the Golden Boot with 19 goals during the 2023 season and became the first OCB player to be named MLS NEXT Pro MVP. He played sparingly with the first team, but he scored twice last season as his role increased. The Lions will likely look to add another striker for more depth up top.

Orlando Pride Acquire Allocation Money in Trade

On Friday, the Orlando Pride announced that the club has acquired $50,000 in Allocation Money from the Washington Spirit. In exchange, the Pride sent the Spirit a 2025 international roster spot. The Pride will face the Spirit in the NWSL Challenge Cup final on March 7 at Inter&Co Stadium.

USMNT Defeats Venezuela in Friendly

The USMNT defeated Venezuela 3-1 at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday in a friendly. Jack McGlynn and Patrick Agyemang scored in the first half to give the USMNT a 2-0 lead just before halftime. Matko Milijevic scored the third goal for the Americans in the second half, with Venezuela pulling one back thanks to a goal from Jorge Yriarte. Head Coach Mauricio Pochettino has led the USMNT to winning four out of its first five matches since he took charge last September. The USMNT’s next match will be against Costa Rica on Wednesday at Inter&Co Stadium.

Alyssa Naeher Named U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year

On Saturday, goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher was voted 2024 U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year. Naeher won 40% of the vote, while defender Naomi Girma finished in second with 32%. In her final year with the USWNT, Naeher ended 2024 with 18 starts, playing 1,170 minutes and only conceding 11 goals. She played a crucial role with clutch saves to help the USWNT win the 2024 SheBelieves Cup, 2024 Concacaf W Gold Cup, and gold at the Olympics in Paris. Naeher is the second goalkeeper to win the award since Hope Solo won it in 2009.

Free Kicks

  • Manchester City forward Erling Haaland has reached an agreement with the club on a record-breaking contract that extends his deal through 2034.

That will do it for me today, Mane Landers. Enjoy your Monday, and I’ll see you next time.

Continue Reading

Trending