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Orlando City vs. Sporting Kansas City: Final Score 1-1 as Lions Fight Back for Road Point

The Lions had two goals called back before finally netting Nani’s equalizer.

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4 years ago

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Image courtesy of Orlando City SC

Orlando City paid for a late first-half mistake, but Nani’s cheeky backheel flick helped the Lions salvage a 1-1 draw against Sporting Kansas City at Children’s Mercy Park. Orlando (0 W-0 L-2 D, 2 points) had two goals waved off for offside after video review and SKC (1-0-1, 4 points) had one called back as well. In the end, the result was probably a fair one, but a poor exchange between Pedro Gallese and Antonio Carlos kept the Lions from taking all three points.

City is unbeaten in its last three against Sporting, winning the last two before tonight’s draw. The Lions are now 3-2-2 in the all-time series and 1-2-1 at Children’s Mercy Park.

“I think it was a great performance for our team,” Orlando City Head Coach Oscar Pareja said after the match. “The personality and, and the consistency in our sequences today was very good and was the highlight of our team, so I’m very pleased.”

Pareja made one expected change and one surprise change from Saturday’s lineup, replacing the injured Alexandre Pato (lower body injury) with Andres Perea and inserting Benji Michel at wing for Chris Mueller, who started on the bench. Gallese manned the net behind a back line of Kyle Smith, Rodrigo Schlegel, Carlos, and Ruan. Perea slotted into the midfield with Junior Urso, Sebas Mendez, and Michel, with Nani pushing up into the attack with Tesho Akindele.

Graphic by MLSSoccer.com

The game began rather sloppily with both teams turning it over often in the opening 15 minutes, but the Lions nearly scored in the opening seconds. Michel got onto a Nani cross but fired it way off target from in front of goal.

Daniel Salloi got the game’s first shot on target with a slow roller at Gallese in the sixth minute. Ruan then got down the right a few times but struggled with his crossing accuracy.

Sporting had a good opportunity early when Smith was booked for a foul just outside the area on a ball he obviously felt he won fairly. The hosts appeared to cash in on the training ground set piece, as a shot was fired off of Akindele, forcing Gallese to change directions to make a good save. However, he couldn’t control the rebound, and Nicolas Isimat-Mirin got there first to slot it home in the 13th minute. After a video review, the goal was correctly overturned as Isimat-Mirin was well offside when the initial shot was taken.

Ruan was set up at the top of the box in the 17th minute but his shot was headed way wide of goal when it was deflected out for a corner. Nani played the ensuing corner short for Mendez, who shot it way over the bar. Moments later, Perea got in behind and was in the act of shooting when Roger Espinoza stuck a leg in from behind and got both man and ball. The weak shot was easy for John Pulskamp to collect and the tackle was ruled a fair one.

The Lions continued to grow in confidence throughout the half and started controlling play. Nani fizzed a cross through the six in the 26th minute and Michel was inches from giving it the touch it needed to go in.

Michel thought he’d given the Lions the lead in the 36th minute, but again the goal was overturned. Nani had smashed a shot in that Pulskamp couldn’t handle and Michel got to the rebound first, finessed it over the goalkeeper and scored calmly, but he was a foot or so offside on the initial shot attempt.

Schlegel got in behind on a set piece in the 40th minute but Pulskamp came off his line and got a piece of it before he could pull the trigger. Minutes later, the game turned in Sporting’s favor.

The hosts took the lead in the 45th minute but didn’t have to put in much work for it. Carlos mishandled a pass from Gallese, allowing Salloi to take it away. The winger fed Gianluca Busio, who fired near side past El Pulpo to give his team a 1-0 advantage.

“Unfortunately we made a mistake in the first half. We conceded a goal and made our game more complicated but I think we reacted very well,” Nani said. “I think we deserve the point and could do better. Could deserve three points but one point is not bad after we conceded that first goal.”

Pareja said the goal Orlando gave up was a product of the way they like to play.

“We made some mistakes due to the risks that we play, but we committed with this way to play, and the players came back as a group,” he said.

Sporting Kansas City took its 1-0 lead against the run of play into the locker room at the break. Orlando City had more shots (6-3) but SKC got all three on target to Orlando’s two. The Lions held more possession (60.5%-39.5%), had more corners (1-0) and were the more accurate passing team (85.6%-82.1%).

Shortly after the restart, it appeared that Perea had tied it with his first career goal. But the play again went to review and the goal was disallowed. Nani’s corner kick cross was cleared but Smith picked it up and cycled it left to right for Nani again. The captain’s second cross skipped off a defender and found its way through traffic to Perea, who smashed a shot off the crossbar and in. Perea was onside when Nani delivered the cross but Carlos got a foot on it and that’s what put Perea just offside.

“I was really happy with my goal,” Perea said of that moment before it was ruled off. “I was really unlucky, but maybe the next one counts. I’m going to work to to score again and make opportunities for my team and do whatever the team needs to win. But I was really happy.” 

Alan Pulido nearly doubled the lead for SKC in the 54th minute. Ruan gave the ball away in his own defensive corner and it found its way to Sporting’s Designated Player, who fizzed a shot inches wide of the right post.

Moments after Chris Mueller subbed on for Michel, the Money Badger nearly had an assist, heading a cross back across the box. Akindele saw Pulskamp deny him from point-blank range but he was offside on the play anyway.

Gallese made a great save on a long-range effort in the 59th minute when the center back stepped up and no one closed him down.

Urso fired just wide of goal in the 67th minute as the Lions continued to press for an equalizer. Akindele got down the left and earned a corner in the 75th but may have had an opportunity to shoot rather than trying to thread a pass to Perea that was knocked out of play. On the ensuing set piece, the ball was played short to Smith, who had his initial shot blocked and didn’t make good contact on the second, sending an easy one right at Pulskamp.

Johnny Russell forced Gallese into another save at the other end on a set piece in the 78th minute. Then Orlando tied it at the other end.

A long ball from Mendez picked out Smith, who made a great run forward from his left back position. Smith did well to bring the ball quickly under control and tried to cross through the box, but the pass hit the trailing foot of defender Roberto Puncec. Mueller was first to the ball and fired, but his shot was blocked. The rebound bounced to Nani, who had his back to goal, but the captain nonchalantly flicked it softly backward and into the net to tie the match at 1-1 in the 79th minute.

The flag came up after the play but again it went to video review and the replay showed no Orlando players were offside. The goal was awarded. It was Nani’s 19th since joining the Lions in 2019.

“It was good because we deserved to score a goal,” Nani said. “I don’t remember (the last time I) scored a goal like that. It’s always nice to score goals like that because it’s like a release of a lot of stress, you know. We were in a situation in the game where we needed to score.”

The Lions withstood a couple of late corners and held on for the 1-1 draw to stay unbeaten, but also winless. Orlando out-shot the hosts (11-9), but Sporting KC got more on frame (5-4). The Lions held advantages in possession (59.9%-40.1%), corners (4-3), and passing accuracy (84%-83%).

“We had more possession. We controlled the game,” Nani said. “Especially in the first half, we dominated all game. And that’s the key. When you have more of the ball. We have players in the final third who can create chances.”

“Obviously, you wanted to walk (away) with three points after that many chances that we created, especially in the first half when we had the goal in front of us a few times,” Pareja said. “But we’re happy. We’re excited to play and to have this performance and so, we look forward to the next one.”

The Lions return home for their next match against FC Cincinnati at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 1.

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Lion Links: 1/21/25

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

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21 hours ago

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January 21, 2025

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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!

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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.

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2 days ago

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January 20, 2025

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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.

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Lion Links: 1/20/25

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

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2 days ago

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January 20, 2025

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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.

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