Orlando City vs. LA Galaxy: Five Takeaways

Orlando City was back at home this weekend within the friendly confines of Exploria Stadium and despite a hazardous warning for weather throughout the lead-up to the game, OCSC was able to find the back of the net and to secure all three points at home for the first time since the season opener in a comprehensive 2-0 win over the LA Galaxy.

Early Pressure Yields Results

Orlando City certainly came out of the gate on the front foot and it was apparent early into the match that the game plan was to attack early and often whenever OCSC could be the aggressor. With a first-choice attacking front, Orlando demonstrated control of the ball early in the match and was able to be surgical on the attacking front, which wore down the Galaxy back line.

Welcome Back, Mikey Halliday

It was quite apparent early on in the match that Orlando planned to attack from the right side of the pitch. For the first time in several matches Orlando City had the services of Homegrown right back Michael Halliday. The young fullback returned to the starting lineup after suffering a knock with the U.S. U-20 team in the last international window. Halliday started the match perhaps a bit nervy with some heavy touches, but settled in with a fantastic goal contribution, getting onto an Antonio Carlos long ball and centering it for Ercan Kara to finish at the near post for the first goal of the match.

Possession, Possession, Possession

They say that possession is nine-tenths of the law. Well, on Saturday night Orlando took advantage of the possession battle to develop its midfield identity and to bolster its attack. The Lions did well to build out of the back against an LA team which carelessly turned the ball over. The aforementioned pressure was part of the reason for those turnovers. The Galaxy entered the match as one of the top teams in terms of possession but Orlando City kept control of the ball for more than 60% of the first half and 55% of the match. That allowed the Lions to be the protagonists that Oscar Pareja wants them to be.

Welcome Back, Ercan Kara

Orlando City has been without its Designated Player number nine for quite some time. Kara, a surefooted Austrian, has been battling knocks since Orlando City faced off against Tigres and even at that point, Kara was able to muster home a golazo in the 88th minute. Fans were able to take in the full might of Kara’s finishing ability as he flicked on a ball from Halliday, which found the back of the net for the DP striker’s first MLS goal of the year in the 38th minute. He wasn’t done, though. Kara’s deft backheel flick hit Martin Ojeda in stride and allowed the Argentine to slot a ball through to Facundo Torres to finish for the second goal. Kara had a strong night, with three total shots on target and four attempts in all. He left the match Saturday night with a goal and two assists in two career games against the Galaxy.

Designated Players Play Like It

It was the first time since opening night that Orlando City started an MLS match with all three Designated Players on the field. Torres, Ojeda, and Kara looked much more in sync with each other this time out and created a lot of danger for the Galaxy to deal with. If not for a couple excellent saves from Jonathan Klinsmann, the trio of DPs would have had more than the four total goal contributions with which they finished the night (Kara’s goal and secondary assist, Torres’ goal, and Ojeda’s primary assist). Ojeda was robbed twice and a good save denied Kara a brace. City fans have been waiting for these three players to properly develop chemistry for weeks now, and at least on Saturday they appeared as a cohesive attacking unit, along with Ivan Angulo. A team’s best players should provide a threat when they’re all on the field, and against LA, they did.

Those were my big takeaways from the home win against the Galaxy. What parts of the match stood out to you the most? Let us know in the comments below.