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Orlando City vs. Philadelphia Union: Final Score 2-0 as Lions Win Final 2016 Road Match

Carlos Rivas and Julio Baptista scored second-half goals to lift Orlando to its first MLS win over the Union.

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Nick Leyva, The Mane Land

Orlando City got goals from Carlos Rivas and Julio Baptista and played a solid defensive game to beat the Philadelphia Union, 2-0, at Talen Energy Stadium in the last road game of 2016. The win snapped a five-game winless skid (0-4-1) and the Lions (8-11-14, 38 points) earned their first MLS win against the Union (11-13-9, 42 points) with an outstanding defensive effort and finally burying a couple of chances.

Don’t look now, but Jason Kreis’ club has allowed only one goal in its last three matches as we head toward next weekend’s season finale.

Kreis started a 4-4-2 with a back line left to right of Mikey Ambrose, Seb Hines, Jose Aja, and Rafael Ramos. The midfield selections were Kaká, Antonio Nocerino, Cristian Higuita, and Matias Perez Garcia. Rivas and Cyle Larin operated up top as the strike force.

There were few chances in the first half but most of them were in Orlando City’s favor. But the Lions over-hit several crosses and free kicks as their lack of clinical precision in and around the penalty area continued. Rivas got in behind the defense in the 11th minute and fired a ball across goal from left to right that was either a wide shot or an over-weighted cross for Larin.

Philadelphia tried to play into the box in the 17th and 18th minutes but Aja and Hines were there, respectively, to prevent any danger. C.J. Sapong got a head on a Keegan Rosenberry cross in the 21st minute but he didn’t get much on it and it was well wide of target.

A minute later, Ramos crossed into the box and the ball deflected off Fabinho and nearly found the back post for an own-goal but went just wide for a corner.

In the 30th minute, the Union got the best clear-cut chance of the first half when Fabian Herbers took a pass in the box on the right, but he fired well over Joe Bendik’s goal. Orlando then got a series of long free kicks but didn’t do anything with them, hitting them long and either to goalkeeper Andre Blake or out for a goal kick.

But in the 43rd the Lions were a post away from taking the lead. Kaká sent a cross into the six-yard box that Ken Tribbett deflected off the back post and the ball ricocheted straight to Blake. In first-half stoppage time the Lions got two quick back-to-back chances. Rivas sent Kaká down the left and the captain crossed for Perez Garcia’s one-timer. Unfortunately, Richie Marquez blocked the shot on what would have been a sure goal. Rivas followed off the deflection with a shot on the half volley but his effort was just over Blake’s crossbar.

That was it for the opening period as Ricardo Salazar blew his whistle for halftime seconds later.

The scoreless deadlock lasted through the first half and into the second period before the Lions grabbed a goal in the 59th minute on a play that started with a Philadelphia set piece. Hines hit a thunderous header off a Union corner kick cross that sailed out to Philly defender Fabinho, who showed a charging Rivas too much of the ball.

The Colombian nicked it and sped toward Blake’s goal. A heavy touch allowed Blake to come out and challenge Rivas and the two players collided just as Rivas took a shot. The ball deflected off Blake and back off Rivas before trickling toward the net. Just before it crossed the line, Rosenberry tried to clear it but only succeeded in helping it into the back of the net.

The goal was called an own-goal on the television broadcast but I’m giving it to Rivas because MLSSoccer.com did the same and also because Rivas earned it with his play.

Philadelphia threw numbers forward to look for an equalizer but the Lions continued to get chances. Larin got a head to a corner in the 64th minute but sent it right at Blake.  Two minutes later, Sapong put a header on target from a Fabinho cross but Bendik made the save. A minute after that, it was Chris Pontius with a header on frame but Bendik made a diving stop to again hold off the Union.

Perez Garcia was robbed of a goal in the 79th when Rivas sent him in alone down the right. MPG took a touch to allow a defender to fly past and tried to curl it in at the back post but Blake made a spectacular diving save to keep the score at 1-0.

The Union had an opportunity with a free kick from the top of the box in the 84th minute but Tranquillo Barnetta curled in a bouncer right to Bendik. The Lions countered and MPG got to the byline but had his cross back for Kaká cut out by Fabinho.

Barnetta nearly broke Orlando hearts in the fourth minute of stoppage time but his free header skipped just wide of Bendik’s goal. A minute later, Baptista got a breakaway after a ball deflected in behind the Union defense. The Beast took a few touches toward Blake and then hit a power shot that the Philadelphia keeper got a piece of but couldn’t keep out.

Roland Alberg put the final Philadelphia effort just wide in the 97th minute and the Lions held on for the win.

Orlando City out-shot the Union 12-10, with each team getting four attempts on target. Philadelphia held the possession advantage, 56.6%-43.4%, but that got skewed after the Rivas goal, as the Union pushed numbers forward and the Lions often conceded possession to just clear their lines.

The Union remain above the red line because New England lost to Chicago, and Philadelphia more or less has clinched, since the Union are 12 goals better in goal differential than the Revolution. Orlando City jumped Columbus into eighth in the Eastern Conference standings with the Crew losing 3-2 to New York Red Bulls today.


The Lions will finish the season next Sunday when D.C. United visits Camping World Stadium for the finale at 4 p.m.

Lion Links

Lion Links: 6/5/23

Torres could be turning the corner, lights go out on OCB, U-20 USMNT knocked out of World Cup, and more.

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Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

Merry Monday morning, Mane Landers. It was quite the packed weekend of soccer, so I won’t blame you if you’re a little tired starting out your week. Orlando City’s victory over the New York Red Bulls was certainly the highlight, and I hope the Lions’ form continues next weekend when I come down to Exploria Stadium for the match against the Colorado Rapids. Let’s get to the links.

Torres Could Be Turning a Corner

Facundo Torres scored a brace in the match against the New York City Red Bulls on Saturday night, and perhaps it is the type of performance that will kick his season into gear. We saw the same thing last season, as Torres started slowly but came on in the second half of the season. Hopefully, Saturday’s match serves as notice he is about to do the same in 2023.

Torres’ two goals doubled his production on the season, with three of the four goals coming against the Red Bulls, and two of them on penalty kicks. Orlando City has desperately needed Torres to find his form. His performance earned him a nomination for MLS Player of the Matchday, so vote early and vote often.

Toronto FC II Turns Lights Out on OCB

OCB traveled to the Great White North to take on Toronto FC II at York Lions Stadium in Toronto, Ontario. It was a difficult night for the Young Lions as Toronto took an early lead and then doubled it before the end of the half. Mason Stajduhar made the start for OCB since Javier Otero was on international duty with Venezuela, but he was unable to help OCB, as the team in front of him played poorly.

After Toronto scored the third goal of the match to go up 3-0, the lights in the stadium went out, much like the hopes of any chance at a comeback for the Young Lions. It was supposed to be a short delay, but that was not the case. Ultimately, lights or no lights it was a night to forget for OCB. The lights never came back on and the match was abandoned and ruled a 3-0 final due to a local curfew. Sean Rollins has your partial match recap.

U-20 USMNT Crashes Out of the U-20 World Cup

The U-20 USMNT team lost 2-0 to Uruguay in the quarterfinal match of the FIFA U-20 World Cup, continuing a trend of the U.S. bowing out in the same round. Heading into the match, the U.S. hadn’t given up a goal in the competition. That all changed in the 21st minute, when Uruguay’s Anderson Duarte scored to put his side up early. The U.S. didn’t help their cause in the second half thanks to an own goal by Joshua Wynder. Even when the U.S. started to get chances on goal, they would be blocked by their own teammates or take a bounce the wrong way. It was as if all the good luck and quality the team played with to get to the quarterfinal was turned against them. It was fun while it lasted.

U-20 USWNT Falls to Mexico in Concacaf Final

Two days after qualifying for the U-20 Women’s World Cup, thanks to a 2-1 win over Costa Rica, the U-20 USWNT lost to Mexico in the Concacaf U-20 Women’s Championship match by the same 2-1 score. Both teams left it late, with Mailin Orozco starting the scoring for Mexico and Onyeka Gamero equalizing for the U.S. A bit of poor defending allowed Mexico to get the game winning goal from Fatima Servin in the 87th minute.

Free Kicks

  • The U-16 Men’s Youth National Team closed out the 2023 International Dream Cup with a 2-1 win over the U-16 Nigeria Youth National Team. Orlando City academy goalkeeper Zackory Campagnolo got the start for the U.S.
  • Former Lion Cyle Larin’s Real Valladolid were relegated to La Liga 2 thanks to a final day 0-0 draw with Getafe. Larin Lead Real Valladolid with seven goals on the season in only 13 appearances.
  • LAFC took on Leon in the second leg of the Concacaf Champions League final Sunday night. Leon came into the match up 2-1 on aggregate and won the 2023 Concacaf Champions League.
  • During the Concacaf Champions League match, Aaron Long attempted a header for LAFC and had to be subbed off due to concussion protocols. It’s a good example of why the protocols are in place.
  • Israel shocked Brazil, defeating the favorites 3-2 in the quarterfinal of the U-20 World Cup. This is Israel’s first appearance at the competition and the team will now face Uruguay in the semifinals.
  • There were much bigger names in the $1 million, 7v7 The Soccer Tournament, but in the end it was Newtown Pride that captured the prize, outlasting teams like Wrexham AFC and a team made up of former USWNT players (which lost to Wrexham, 12-0). The club, which beat SLC FC in the final, will donate a portion of their winnings to Sandy Hook Elementary School charities.
  • Folarin Balogun scored in his final match for Reims in Ligue 1 and is now looking forward to a call-up to the USMNT at the Nations League competition.

That will do it for today. If you make it either the Orlando City or Orlando Pride match this weekend, I hope to see you. Please say hello.

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Orlando City at New York Red Bulls: Player Grades and Man of the Match

How did your favorite Lions perform in Orlando City’s 3-0 victory over the Red Bulls?

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Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

Orlando City went back on the road with a trip to Harrison, NJ, to take on the New York Red Bulls. The Lions were able to take advantage of their chances to secure all three points on the road with a 3-0 win over their Eastern Conference foes. Here is how each Lion performed as Orlando City swept the Red Bulls in the regular season.

Starters

GK, Pedro Gallese, 6.5  — Despite some sketchy moments, Gallese was able to keep his fourth clean sheet of the season, and his second against the Red Bulls. The scary moments started early, when Gallese came out for a 50/50 ball in the 12th minute but was beaten to it and caught out of goal. Fortunately, his defense was able to help him recover. He also nearly gave away the ball in the 85th minute, when he was slow to pass and was closed down by Elias Manoel. The New York forward blocked the pass, but it went out for a goal kick. Gallese took an awkward foul from Dylan Nealis in the 82nd minute, but was able to carry on. His distribution wasn’t as good as usual, with a 68.8 % passing rate on 32 passes. He was accurate on seven of his 16 long balls. He also won one aerial and made one clearance. It wasn’t a bad night for El Pulpo, but I hold him to a higher standard, despite the clean sheet.

D, Rafael Santos, 6 — With Halliday on international duty and Kyle Smith starting on the right, Santos got his third straight start of the season. I don’t know that he’s had enough time to properly settle in, but he didn’t play poorly. Santos passed at a 59.5% on 42 passes, which isn’t good enough, but it was his first real taste of the Red Bulls’ pressure. He was only successful on two of his eight long balls. Defensively, he was a bit better, with three tackles, three interceptions, and two clearances. He committed two fouls, one of which earned him a yellow card.

D, Robin Jansson, 7  — Jansson was good if not perfect on defense. The bad was a foul on Luquinhas just inches outside of the box in the 32nd minute, resulting in a dangerous free kick. Fortunately, the resulting free kick went into the wall and was recycled until it went out for a goal kick. It was one of two fouls committed by the Beefy Swede, with the other being unnecessary contact with the goalkeeper on a set piece, for which he was booked. Defensively, he made one interception, two clearances, and blocked three shots, including one from Lewis Morgan that probably would have gone in without his intervention. He had an 80% passing rate on 50 passes, but only completed one of his seven long balls. Offensively, he had one dribble, and suffered three fouls, including one in which he was pulled down by Sean Nealis in the 49th minute, earning the penalty for Orlando City that Facundo Torres buried in the back of the net.

D, Antonio Carlos, 6.5 — Carlos seemed slightly off on the night, though it never came back to hurt Orlando City. He was beaten in the 14th minute trying to play out of the back, resulting in a corner for the Red Bulls. However, he cleared the ensuing corner kick. He made a bad pass in the 26th minute that simply went out of bounds rather than to a teammate, and he had a poorly taken free kick in the 37th minute to the opposition. However, defensively he had one interception, two clearances, and one blocked shot. Fortunately, he did not commit any fouls or receive a yellow card, because if he had, he would miss the next match due to accumulation. Offensively, he had one dribble, and suffered one foul. He passed at an 84.6% rate on 52 passes and was successful on six of 12 long balls.

D, Kyle Smith, 6 — Smith had a difficult assignment in dealing with John Tolkin on his side of the field. He managed one tackle, two clearances, and one blocked shot, while committing two fouls. Unlike last week, he wasn’t able to score on a goal from the right despite being put in a good position by Facundo Torres in the 42nd minute. He should have done better with a shot that went wide left. He had an 84.2% passing rate on 38 passes and was successful on three of his four long balls before coming off for Dagur Dan Thorhallsson in the 83rd minute.

MF, Mauricio Pereyra, 5.5 — Like Carlos, Pereyra wasn’t his usual sharp self, passing at just a 57.1% rate on 21 passes and completing no long balls. His pass to Kara in the box in the 16th minute could have sent the striker in on goal, but it was behind the Austrian. His free kick at the end of first-half stoppage time was too long and led to Jansson’s yellow as the defender tripped the keeper. Offensively, the captain completed one dribble, suffered one foul, and was dispossessed once. He was subbed off in the 62nd minute for Martin Ojeda.

MF, Cesar Araujo, 6.5 — Araujo seemed to have gotten the message that he won’t get the foul if he drops at the slightest touch. He did successfully earn one foul, but it was deserved. Defensively, he made one tackle, one clearance, and had one blocked shot. He passed at an 82.8% rate on 29 passes and completed five of his six long balls. Unfortunately he was subbed off in the 56th minute due to an injury for Felipe Martins.

MF, Wilder Cartagena, 7.5 — The Peruvian midfielder had himself a night, earning an assist on Ivan Angulo’s goal to open the scoring for the Lions. His perfectly weighted through ball put Angulo in on goal in the 18th minute. He passed at an 84.1% rate on 44 passes, was successful on four of seven long balls, and had the key pass mentioned above. He committed three fouls, including one on Cory Burke in the 20th minute to give New York a free kick, but it didn’t matter. He also made nine tackles and one clearance. Overall, a very good night from Cartagena, who does a lot of the unsung work to break up the opposition’s attack.

MF, Ivan Angulo, 8 (MotM) — There have been times when Angulo tries to do too much when taking on an opposing player. That wasn’t the case in the 18th minute, when he took the through ball from Cartagena, juked Dylan Nealis and sent the ball past Carlos Coronel to give Orlando City the early leave. That was one of his two shots — both of which were on target. The other shot was deflected for a corner in the 65th minute. It was his breakaway run up the left side of the pitch in the 73rd minute that gave him his assist on Facundo Torres’ second goal. Out-running Frankie Amaya, the speedy Angulo drew defenders to him before passing the ball over to Torres for the third goal of the match. It was a good finish by Torres, but Angulo did most of the work to make it happen. He passed at an 85.7% rate on 21 passes with the obvious key pass and completed three successful dribbles. He also suffered two fouls, committed three fouls, made two tackles, and recorded one interception. With a goal and an assist, Angulo gets Man of the Match.

MF, Facundo Torres, 7.5 — Might this be the match that lights Torres up for the remainder of the season? I’m certain that is what was going through the minds of many as he stepped up to take the penalty kick in the 52nd minute. Torres converted the penalty kick with a perfectly placed shot into the upper right corner past Coronel, despite the keeper guessing correctly. He then made the run with Angulo in the 72nd minute and was perfectly positioned to get his second goal of the match, giving the Lions a certain victory. He wasn’t done yet, as he had another chance in the 77th minute, but it was blocked out for a corner. Torres passed at an 84.6% rate on 26 passes. He had three crosses, one key pass, and was successful on his only long ball. One of his underrated contributions was a nice move to push the ball past Andres Reyes in first-half stoppage time. Torres would have been in position to start a dangerous counter but Reyes fouled him hard. The play was reviewed as a possible red card, and even though Victor Rivas did not change the initial ruling of a yellow card, the play contributed to Reyes being sent off just after halftime.

F, Ercan Kara, 5.5 — The Austrian wasn’t able to have as much impact on this game as he has in recent weeks against one of the league’s best defenses, but his positioning was good. His best scoring chance went wanting when Pereyra played the final pass behind him. His biggest contribution was when he showed a good combination of skill and strength to bring down an aerial ball and fend off Reyes, who committed a tactical foul for a second yellow card and was sent off. Reyes has been New York’s biggest surprise this season with his aerial presence on both ends of the pitch and the Red Bulls missed him for the final 43 minutes, plus stoppage time. Kara didn’t record a shot or a key pass, passing at a 64.3% rate. He led all Lions with three aerials won and drew two fouls. However, he was dispossessed once and had four unstable touches trying to hold up play against New York’s swarming defense. On the defensive end, Kara contributed one clearance. He also committed one foul. He came off for Duncan McGuire in the 63rd minute.

Substitutes

MF, Felipe (57’), 6.5 — The Brazilian came on for the injured Araujo against his former team and proceeded to be his usual disruptive self, making one interception, blocking a shot, and committing one foul. He was impressive in the passing game, with a 95.7% rate on 23 passes, including a successful long ball. He committed one foul that earned him a yellow card.

MF, Martin Ojeda (62′), 6 — Ojeda came on for Pereyra to bring some more energy to the midfield. He did that. He attempted one shot, but hit it into the ground and it bounced high. To be fair, it was a difficult attempt as the ball was bouncing when he took the shot. He also put in two crosses (one successful) and passed at a 90.9% rate on his 11 passes, including one key pass, playing a ball into space for Angulo to run onto, leading to the third Orlando goal. As a result, he got a secondary assist on the play. Defensively, he contributed one tackle, one interception, and one clearance.

F, Duncan McGuire (63′), 6 — McGuire wasn’t able to get a goal contribution, though it wasn’t from lack of effort. The rookie took one shot, which was on target, had a key pass, and completed two dribbles, and his hold-up play was good. He did all of that while only touching the ball nine times. He passed at a 50% rate on four passes. It might not seem like much, but he helped Orlando see out the win.

D, Dagur Dan Thorhallsson (84′), N/A — Dagur Dan came on for Smith to play right back since he is the other Swiss Army Knife for Oscar Pareja. He wasn’t in long enough for a grade, but did manage six touches, and won an aerial.

MF, Ramiro Enrique  (84′), N/A  — Enrique came on for Cartegena but only managed 12 touches, committed one foul, and suffered one foul. Like McGuire, Enrique wasn’t in long enough to earn a grade.


That’s how I saw each performance from the Lions in their 3-0 win over the New York Red Bulls. This match was an example of what can happen when the Lions take advantage of limited chances. Who was your Man of the Match? Make sure to vote in our poll and let us know what you think in the comments.

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Orlando City vs. New York Red Bulls: Five Takeaways

Here’s what we learned from a total team effort on the road in the Big Apple.

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Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

HARRISON, NJ — Orlando City was back on the road this weekend in the city that never sleeps (or at least in the general vicinity), taking on a familiar foe for the second time this season, and I was fortunate enough to be there in person. The Lions opened up the 2023 Major League Soccer season with a win against the Red Bulls and continued their great form on the road this season with a 3-0 win over New York on Saturday. Here are my five takeaways from a great away-from-home victory.

Familiar Faces

Head Coach Oscar Pareja utilized the same starting 11 for consecutive matches for the first time this season and the team chemistry that has been developing over the last few weeks was on full display. Orlando is still fighting through some injuries and players missing time for international duty, but it appears that Pareja has found a formation and combination of players that is starting to consistently produce the types of results most felt like the team would be capable of to start the season.

Angulo’s Speed A Big Problem

Winger Ivan Angulo has never been shy about taking on opponents in the open field. Saturday evening his tool kit was on full display as he literally and figuratively ran circles around the opposition. In the 18th minute of the match, Angulo found himself on the end of an absolutely beautiful through ball from Wilder Cartagena, sprinted into the box, and made an outstanding cut back to dodge Dylan Nealis before snipping the ball into the back of the net for the first goal of the match and his third of the season. It was a wonderful effort in a game that saw Angulo win the club’s Man of the Match award, but the goal wasn’t his only contribution to the scoresheet. The speedy winger also contributed an assist in the 72nd minute, as Angulo did most of the heavy lifting for Facundo Torres’ second goal. He used his pace to blast past Frankie Amaya in transition to get onto Martin Ojeda’s transition ball, drew defenders toward him, and found Torres with a well-placed pass on Orlando’s third goal.

Welcome Back, Facu!

It had been a sluggish start to the season for Young Designated Player Facundo Torres, coming off the heels of a first MLS campaign which saw the young star take the league by storm. Lofty expectations have been thrust onto the Uruguayan midfielder, and for most of this season Torres has fallen short of what many believed he was capable of. Against a team that Torres loves to score against, he doubled his season total for goals scored and at least for the night looked to be back playing at a pace and with a quality we have all grown to expect. Only time will tell if his brace against New York is the true turning point of the season, but at least for now it appears that Orlando’s star is back shining.

A Series of Fortunate Events

The Lions started the second half with a one-goal lead, and thanks to a series of fortunate events to start the second half found themselves with some breathing room in the match. Orlando quickly went up a man just two minutes after the break, as Andres Reyes was sent off for picking up a second yellow card for a professional foul when Ercan Kara did well to control an aerial ball and got behind the defense on the left side. Reyes pulled Kara back to break up the counterattack, which is always going to draw a booking. Orlando City then got an opportunity to score an insurance goal when referee Victor Rivas was instructed by the VAR to take a second look at a play in the box and saw that Sean Nealis had dragged down Robin Jansson just as the ball was arriving. Rivas correctly awarded Orlando City a penalty kick, and Torres blasted the PK into the back of the net. Seemingly in the blink of an eye, two (correct) calls completed changed the trajectory of the match. The work of Kara and Jansson to get into those positions created those calls.

Road Lions Pounce Again

Orlando City has put together some excellent results on the road this season, and while some may still feel that a 2-1 away win earlier in the year against the Philadelphia Union to be the best road result of the year, I would strongly consider the thumping of the Red Bulls in northern New Jersey to usurp that as the best road result thus far. It was a total team effort at a point in the season where Orlando truly needed this type of result. The team has talked in recent weeks about how they feel they have the quality when they take the pitch but that the results have been lagging behind as the boys have had to settle for a few late draws. They would leave no question unanswered against a Red Bulls defense that had only allowed 10 goals on the season entering the match. It was a resounding road effort which the team will hopefully continue to build upon.


Those are my big takeaways from a great win on the road and a match that I will surely be rewatching multiple times this week. Let us know in the comments below what stood out to you the most!

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