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Orlando City vs. Philadelphia Union: Player Grades and Man of the Match

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6 years ago

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Well, it wasn’t a loss. Orlando City fought hard against a hot Philadelphia Union side and even when an unfortunate deflection gave the visitors a late lead, the Lions didn’t quit. Scott Sutter’s strike leveled things in stoppage time and gave the Cardiac Cats a point.

The Lions looked much better in the first half, and James O’Connor wasn’t happy with the team’s second-half energy for the second straight week, but Orlando City will take the point and keep trying to move forward.

Now let’s get to those performances.

Starters

GK, Joe Bendik, 5.5 — Joe was a bit shaky early on his passing. He couldn’t do much about Burke’s goal in the 32nd minute. He wasn’t tested too often in the first half, as Philadelphia got only three on frame in the opening period, of which Joe stopped two but neither were difficult. In the second half, Bendik continued to have issues trying to play out of the back and he and his defenders seemed at odds over it at times. The deflection off of Shane O’Neill wrong-footed him a bit on the late goal that briefly put Philly ahead.

D, Jonathan Spector, 7 — Specs got a run-out at fullback and although he added some much-needed stability to the back line on that side, his lack of pace created a bit of a gulf in the attack at times. Yoshimar Yotún simply had nowhere to go to on the left most of the time in the attack and had to look to cut balls back inside toward traffic. Spector led the team in tackles (4), with two interceptions, and one clearance. He also created a scoring chance, fired in two crosses, and passed at 89% — not bad for a fullback.

D, Carlos Ascues, 6.5 — The Peruvian got his first start on the back line and had a mixed night. He had a pair of defensive-half turnovers while trying to dribble the ball forward, putting his teammates under pressure and forcing Bendik to punch away a shot from Haris Medunjanin on one occasion. Ascues had a tackle, two interceptions, four clearances and a pair of blocked shots and passed at a 95% clip. He also made a few crucial 1-v-1 plays that prevented Philadelphia scoring chances.

D, Shane O’Neill, 6 — O’Neill appeared to lose his footing as the cross came in from Borek Dockal on Burke’s goal and was on his way to the ground, helpless to do much about it. It’s debatable on whether he was out-muscled or simply slipped, but either way he was culpable. He was an unfortunate victim on the second goal, trying to block Fafa Picault’s shot but only succeeding in deflecting it to a spot where Joe couldn’t get it. He had a good passing rate (94%), with three tackles, an interception, and a team-high five clearances.

D, Scott Sutter, 7.5 (MotM) — Sutter looked to get into the attack often in the first half, and nearly earned himself a penalty early in the match. He had a pinpoint cross-field switch to Yotún midway through the first half that was like porn for passing enthusiasts. Sutter’s late game-tying goal was vital, of course, and he finished with two shots (one on goal) and a passing rate even better than Spector’s (95% — he was accurate on all six of his long-ball attempts). He also produced two tackles and two clearances and mostly kept his side of the pitch quiet when the Union were attacking.

MF, Oriol Rosell, 5.5 — Uri played a quietly solid game in the defensive midfield, finishing with two tackles, three interceptions, and three clearances. His 90% passing rate was pretty good but at times he tried to force some passes into difficult spots. Overall, I thought Rosell was mostly solid but we’ve seen better from him in a few recent games.

MF, Will Johnson, 5.5 — Will combined well early on the right with Sutter. He drew the free kick that led to Orlando’s opening goal. Tracked back well in the 61st minute to break up a Union attack. His 83% passing rate was a bit average, his one shot was off target, and he didn’t create any scoring chances. He produced an interception and a clearance defensively, and gave his usual blue collar work rate, but even that waned in the second half before he was subbed off.

MF, Yoshimar Yotún, 7.5 — The Peruvian provided excellent free kick service on Dom Dwyer’s header goal. He created four chances in the first half alone, as his passing was deadly accurate, even when he was trying something audacious. After halftime, he created three more scoring chances and practically had to hold down the left-sided attack by himself most of the night. His 88% pass percentage was decent and five of his 11 crosses were accurate. His one shot was off target. Defensively he made two tackles. He’d surely have been Man of the Match if not for tiring noticeably over the last half hour and he just had nothing left in the tank to give. This was evident in trying and failing to tackle Picault prior to the second Philadelphia goal. Still, it was a good night overall for the Peruvian and if he hadn’t had the last three weeks off — one via bye week and two via suspension — he may have had more left in his tank in the second half.

MF, Sacha Kljestan, 5 — I’ll give Sacha credit for trying to come back after only a few training sessions but the rust was evident on this night. He created no chances, attempted one shot, which was off target, and only completed 77% of his pass attempts. He contributed one clearance on defense.

MF, Cristian Higuita, 6.5 — Cristian was a surprise return from an adductor injury and was all over the pitch in the first half. His 24th-minute effort from a tight angle could have made it 2-0, but he hit the far post. He had a terrible giveaway in the 52nd minute and then had to foul to concede a free kick. His passing and play in the second half wasn’t nearly as crisp and he was subbed off for Josué Colmán in the 57th minute.

F, Dom Dwyer, 7 — He scored his 12th goal of the season in the ninth minute, shaking free of his marker and placing his header where Andre Blake couldn’t get to it. He generally created mayhem throughout the first half with his runs in behind the defense. Dom could have gotten a second goal late in the first half but missed the target with his header. He led the team in shots (3) but only the goal was on frame. His 65% passing rate isn’t great but he raised it from 50% at halftime and was one of the few players who was active throughout the entire 90 minutes. He also helped out on defense with an interception and a clearance.

Substitutes

MF, Josué Colmán (57’), 6.5 — The Paraguayan disappeared at times but he also had several moments of individual brilliance. He assisted on the game-tying goal, created two scoring chances, passed at an 88% clip, and attempted a shot. He didn’t repeatedly dribble into dead ends in this match as he’s done often in the past (though he did so a couple of times). He even came up with a tackle.

F/MF, Stefano Pinho (76’), 4.5 — The Brazilian didn’t do a lot in his 14 minutes. He did manage a weak header on goal that forced a Blake save and probably could have drawn a penalty since he was undercut by Jack Elliott on the play. He generally hustled and tried hard, bringing some much-needed energy onto the pitch where it was severely lacking. He also blocked a shot. However, he only got six touches on the ball and attempted one pass, which he completed.

MF, Chris Mueller (76’), 5 — As usual, the rookie worked his tail off and provided energy. His passing was OK, at 80%, (4/5) but he only got in eight touches. He didn’t attempt a shot but he did make a tackle defensively. It’s fair to say that he brought some energy into the attack, and he gave the Philadelphia back line something extra to worry about, but he didn’t accomplish a great deal in his 14 minutes.

That’s how I saw the match. What did you see? Please give us your vote for Man of the Match below and provide your arguments in the comments section.

Polling Closed

PlayerVotes
Dom Dwyer10
Yoshimar Yotún21
Scott Sutter44
Josué Colmán3
Jonathan Spector4
Other (comment below)1

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Lion Links: 12/5/24

Video from the Pride’s championship win, Orlando City’s U-19s played well in November, a new deal for Don Garber, and more.

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2 hours ago

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December 5, 2024

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Jeremy Reper

How’s it going, Mane Landers? It’s been a long week, but I’ve at least been able to get some errands knocked out. I’m looking forward to hanging out with friends over the weekend and getting some more reading done before the year is up. Let’s dive into today’s links from around the soccer world!

Sights and Sounds From Orlando Pride Title Win

The Orlando Pride made history by winning their first NWSL title last month and the club provided an awesome look behind the scenes of the big win in Kansas City. The video covers everything from Marta’s pre-game pep talk that will have you willing to run through walls to the final whistle that wrapped up the greatest victory in club history. It’s also great to see Barbra Banda’s winning goal from even more angles.

Orlando City’s U-19 Team Stands Out

In MLS NEXT, Orlando City’s U-19 squad is the only undefeated team remaining in its age group and was noted as one of the top performing teams of November. The Baby Lions won all four of their games last month, including a pair of big 6-2 wins against both CF Montreal and Charlotte FC. Justin Ellis had a hat trick in the match against Montreal and scored seven total goals last month. It’s been a great year for the 17-year-old, as he also scored in each of the United States U-18 Men’s National Team’s friendlies against Peru and Japan in September.

Don Garber Signs Contract Extension

MLS Commissioner Don Garber won’t be leaving the league anytime soon after signing a four-year contract extension. The 67-year-old has been the league’s commissioner since 1999 and the league has experienced plenty of growth over the course of his 25-year tenure. He also negotiated the $2.5 billion broadcasting deal with Apple that will last 10 years. Only time will tell if Garber will stay on as commissioner once this extension ends following the 2027 season.

Referees Speak On PRO Interference

You will need to get through the paywall for the full details, as The Athletic published a great article regarding the interference from the Professional Referee Organization in MLS and NWSL games. Matches already get disrupted by VAR checks, but officials have also had to deal with PRO managers weighing in on their decisions. A transcript provided by a video assistant referee who requested anonymity showcased one such incident in a regular-season game, with the PRO manager wanting another look at a play to be made. The delays not only disrupt the flow of things, but it opens the door for others to cast suspicion on the process as well.

Free Kicks

  • FIFA announced DAZN as the exclusive global broadcaster for next year’s FIFA Club World Cup. The platform will stream all 63 games of the tournament at no cost for those watching.
  • The Seattle Sounders confirmed that Raul Ruidiaz is leaving the club after seven seasons. The 34-year-old is the club’s all-time leading scorer with 86 goals across all competitions. This move opens up a Designated Player spot for a Sounders side that reached the Western Conference final.
  • Liverpool managed a comeback but gave up a late equalizer in a 3-3 draw with Newcastle that allowed Chelsea and Arsenal to close the gap to seven points.
  • In a moment reminiscent of Rodrigo Schlegel’s heroics, 19-year-old left back Pol Arnau stepped up as an emergency goalkeeper for fourth-division side Lugrones against La Liga’s Girona in the Copa del Rey. Arnau made saves to send the game to a shootout and then stopped a penalty en route to victory.

That’s all I have for you today. I hope you all have a wonderful Thursday and rest of your week!

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Lion Links

Lion Links: 12/4/24

USWNT defeats the Netherlands, U.S. player awards, Jill Ellis changes jobs, and more.

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1 day ago

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December 4, 2024

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Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

Welcome to Wednesday, Mane Landers! We have a U.S. Soccer-heavy news day for you, which is in no way a bad thing. I hope you’re staying warm as we get a bit of colder weather in the Sunshine State. I know I’m loving the bit of chill in the air. Let’s get to today’s links.

USWNT Defeats the Netherlands

The USWNT needed to come from behind to defeat the Netherlands 2-1 Tuesday in the Hague. Lynn Williams scored the match-winning goal in the 71st minute, but the U.S. needed some help from an own goal at the end of the first half to secure the victory. Veerle Buurman put the hosts up early, and the Netherlands dominated the first half. Perhaps if Emma Hayes had given Orlando Pride defender and NWSL Defender of the Year Emily Sams the start then that goal could have been prevented. Unfortunately, Sams did not see the pitch.

It was also Alyssa Naeher’s final international match as well as the final game of the year for the U.S. Prior to the match, Dutch captain Daniëlle van de Donk presented Naeher with a jersey and a bouquet. The long time USWNT keeper didn’t keep a clean sheet, but she did make several key saves to help her team to victory.

Award Season is Here

It’s that time of the year when awards and accolades are doled out, including U.S. Soccer End of the Year awards. The voting for the awards starts Dec. 4 and runs through Dec. 13. The usual suspects are in contention for the Male and Female Player of the Year awards. On the men’s side you have players like Christian Pulisic, Tim Ream, and Ricardo Pepi. On the women’s side you have players like Sophia Smith, Alyssa Naeher, and Naomi Girma.

Former USWNT midfielder Carli Lloyd was voted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame on her first year of eligibility. She will be inducted on May 3, 2025. Lloyd making the cut first time isn’t really a big surprise.

The Guardian has released its player rankings (100-71) for the best female footballers of 2024. Players 70-1 are still to come. Orlando Pride center back Rafaelle came in at No. 95. I’m certain we can expect plenty more appearances by Pride players as the rest of the names are revealed.

Pulisic: The Docuseries

Christian Pulisic is one of the most famous American footballers in the world. Now, he has his own docuseries coming out Dec. 9 on Paramount+. The series will provide behind-the-scenes access to Pulisic as he navigates his time with club and country while preparing for the 2026 World Cup. Former USMNT stiker Jozy Altidore might be watching it as he stated his admiration for Pulisic during a recent visit with the U.S. squad in St. Louis.

Jill Ellis’ New Gig

With the allegations of a toxic and hostile work environment at the San Diego Wave under Jill Ellis’ watch, the former USWNT boss left her position with the club to assume the position of Chief of Football at FIFA. There’s nothing quite like leaving a toxic and hostile work environment for an office with FIFA. Hopefully, Ellis will be able to tell the difference between the two. Ellis’ departure is part of a transition period for the Wave.

Free Kicks

That will do it for today. Make sure you check out our Season in Review articles for the Orlando Pride players, already underway, and the upcoming ones for Orlando City. Vamos Orlando!

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Lion Links

Lion Links: 12/3/24

Orlando Pride lead early 2025 NWSL rankings, Americans in midweek action, MLS transfer news roundup, and more.

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2 days ago

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December 3, 2024

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Jeremy Reper

Happy Tuesday, everyone. I hope you had an enjoyable Thanksgiving, and aren’t too crestfallen to be back at work if you were lucky enough to get some time off. Saturday’s game may not have gone the way we wanted it to, but it was still a vastly enjoyable season that I’ll look back on fondly. We have a lot to talk over today, so let’s wish David Brekalo a happy birthday and get into the links!

Orlando Pride Top Early 2025 NWSL Rankings

The National Women’s Soccer League season has only just ended, but it’s never too soon to start looking ahead to next year, so let’s have a look at how the teams are stacking up at the moment. As is right and just, the Orlando Pride top the list after winning both the NWSL Shield and NWSL Championship this year, although there’s the question of whether Marta will be with the team in 2025 now that she’s a free agent. The runner-up Washington Spirit come in at second, with other semifinalists NJ/NY Gotham FC and the Kansas City Current at third and fourth, respectively. The Houston Dash are at the other end of the list, as they currently don’t have a coach, general manager, or sporting director after a rough season.

What to Watch for Against the Netherlands

The United States Women’s National Team takes on the Netherlands today in the team’s final match of 2024. Even though it’s a friendly there are still plenty of things to keep an eye on. Alyssa Naeher’s final international match will rightly grab a lot of the headlines, considering how long and illustrious her career has been with the USWNT. Newly committed Lily Yohannes will have a chance to show what she can do in the attack in the absence of big names like Sophia Smith, Trinity Rodman, and Mallory Swanson. Jaedyn Shaw finds herself in a similar situation as well. If that wasn’t enough, we may also have a chance to see Pride defender Emily Sams, who didn’t appear in the team’s previous game against England.

Americans in Midweek Action

There are a number of Americans who are in action this week, so make sure you have everything noted and marked down on your calendar. Christian Pulisic, Yunus Musah, and AC Milan get things started today when they take on Sassuolo in the Coppa Italia’s round of 16. Thursday has Antonee Robinson and Fulham welcoming Brighton and Hove Albion to Craven Cottage in English Premier League play, while Tyler Adams and Bournemouth travel to play Tottenham Hotspur. Things wrap up on Friday with Ricardo Pepi, Malik Tillman, Richy Ledezma, and PSV Eindhoven hosting FC Twente in Eredivisie play.

MLS Transfer Roundup

Plenty of MLS teams are busy making off-season moves, and we have a few that we need to cover. We start in the realm of rumor, where new San Jose Earthquakes coach Bruce Arena has reportedly traded for Mark Anthony-Kaye, Dave Romney, and Ian Harkes from the New England Revolution. Arena worked with all three during his time with the Revs, and Tom Bogert reports that San Jose is giving around $500,000 in General Allocation Money and an international roster spot in exchange. We then shift to confirmed moves, where we know that FC Cincinnati has permanently acquired Luca Orellana after he spent 2024 on loan with the Knifey Lions to great effect. Cincy also announced that it signed defender Bret Halsey to a contract extension.

Free Kicks

  • Barba Banda and Marta are both finalists for the 2024 FIFPRO World 11.
  • Congratulations to Orlando City defender Dagur Dan Thorhallsson, who announced on Instagram that his family has a little one is on the way.

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

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