Orlando City vs. FC Dallas: Five Takeaways

After a sound win over the New England Revolution, Orlando City SC could not keep the good momentum as the Lions tied 0-0 with FC Dallas at Orlando City Stadium on Saturday. But what did we learn from Orlando’s struggle?

After Six, Zero

Orlando’s midweek 6-1 win over the New England Revolution raised the fans’ expectations for Saturday’s match. After being dominated by FC Dallas for most of the match, the Lions pushed forward in the final 15 minutes and had several good opportunities, which were either stopped by goalkeeper Jesse Gonzalez or the post. If the team had displayed the same aggressive mindset since the starting whistle, maybe the result would have been different.

From Bottom to Top

When the 2017 season started, Seb Hines was considered by many the last option Head Coach Jason Kreis would use in the center back position. It took the Englishman 28 matches to have his first opportunity this year but since then he has arguably been Jonathan Spector’s best sidekick. In the three games Hines started, Orlando conceded only two goals, recording two wins and a tie.

Laryea Gets His Minutes

Canadian midfielder Richie Laryea had his best opportunity to show his skills in an Orlando City jersey as the 22-year-old played for 35 minutes, the most he ever has for the club, after coming in for Servando Carrasco. He had one shot and recorded a 71.4% passing efficiency according to whoscored.com.

VAR, Where Are You?

The Video Assistant Referee has the potential to make a huge impact in soccer around the world, but, for that to happen, referees need to actually make use of it. In this match, VAR Sorin Stoica did not notify referee Armando Villarreal that he should review two potential game-changing apparent handballs after neither was called on Orlando’s Hines and Dallas’ Matt Hedges inside the box. It is fair to say that no team was harmed but if technology is available, why not use it?

Centennial Orlando

The scoreless draw with FC Dallas was Orlando’s 100th MLS match. Since the team joined the league, in 2015, the Lions have amassed 31 wins, 38 losses, and 31 ties. The club has scored 142 goals and conceded 167.