Orlando City Stock Watch: Kevin Molino Strikes Again in 2-2 Draw with Philadelphia Union

It was a rough first hour followed by brilliance when Orlando City head coach Adrian Heath inserted his first set of substitutions against the Philadelphia Union. A match featuring two of MLS’s marquee goalkeepers finished with a 2-2 result.

The clubs remained tied for fewest games lost in the Eastern Conference at three apiece, though Philadelphia sits in first while the Lions remain sixth.

Rising

Kevin Molino – Shocker, right? The Original put two feet on the pitch immediately followed by his stamp on the game, scoring Orlando’s first goal with his trademark right place, right time positioning. He’s trailing Cyle Larin as soon as Kaká plays him on, and is there to clean up the mess when Kid Fantastic gets tangled up with half the Union payroll.

He completed 90% of his passes on 17 touches, becoming the most influential player in purple and changing the tide of the match. His choice to go with his weak foot on the volley late in the match was an odd one — though it's a choice I'll take over the complacency in the box we saw from him earlier this season.

Tommy Redding – I feel as though the most complimentary noun you could use to describe a stellar defensive effort is nuisance, and Redding was certainly that. Statistically, his four interceptions and two blocked shots were both team highs, and he was one of just four Lions to register a tackle and avoid being carded for the effort.

CJ Sapong — while still his usual, influential self — turned the ball over six times in this match. We have a Homegrown center back to thank for his containment.

Falling

Carlos Rivas – Well. I’m not really sure who kidnapped Carlos Rivas, stole his kit and snuck onto the field for 66 minutes, but he managed to give the ball away six times. He completed just 20 passes on 34 touches, and was one of several Lions to have yellow shoved in his face.

If you have any information regarding the real Carlos Rivas' whereabouts, please call the Central Florida Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS. Remember — See something? Say something!

David Mateos – For most of this match, I thought we’d see Mateos in the Rising section. His tackles were nifty and clean, stomping out attacks seemingly at will on occasion. I had flashbacks to former Lion Aurélien Collin when Mateos found himself at the front of a counter attack. He may have gotten a little too confident as the match wore on — his tackles became more and more aggressive until the official eventually showed red.

Polling Closed