Orlando City vs. Toronto FC: Player Grades and Man of the Match

Orlando City went north of the border and beat Toronto FC 2-1 in a six-point contest. It’s the Lions’ first win over a team not in last place in their conference since May 11, when they defeated the Philadelphia Union 3-2. The three points also move them even with Atlanta United and Toronto FC for eighth in the Eastern Conference.

Let’s take a look at the individual performances in this essential win.

Starters

GK, Pedro Gallese, 5.5 — Gallese’s probably the hardest player to grade in this game because he didn’t have much to do. Toronto only got one shot on target, the team’s fifth-minute goal by Derrick Etienne, Jr. However, the goal wasn’t all Gallese’s fault, as his center backs were caught flat-footed, enabling the attacker a free shot on goal from close distance. In addition to shot-stopping — or lack thereof — Gallese completed 65.2% of his 23 passes, including six of his 14 long balls.

D, Kyle Smith, 6 — Smith’s 56 touches were fourth most on the team in this game. He completed 79.6% of his 44 passes but failed to complete his lone cross or any of his four long balls. Defensively, he recorded two tackles and one clearance. After a good shift, Smith was replaced by Rafael Santos in the 69th minute.

D, Robin Jansson, 5.5 — Jansson’s 63 touches were a team high. He completed 77.8% of his team-high 54 passes and five of his 15 long balls, and he took one off-target shot. On the defensive side, he recorded an interception, a blocked shot, and a team-high five clearances. I knocked him down a little because of the Toronto goal, on which he was slow to react, enabling Etienne to reach the ball first.

D, Rodrigo Schlegel, 6 — Schlegel’s 57 touches were the third most on the team. He completed 84.2% of his 38 passes and four of his nine long balls, and he took one off-target shot. He had a more impactful game than Jansson, with three interceptions, four clearances, and a blocked shot. He would probably get a better grade, but he got outmuscled by Prince Owusu, resulting in him not being in front of the goal when Etienne scored.

D, Dagur Dan Thorhallsson, 6 — Thorhallsson was the lesser involved of the two outside backs in this game, recording 37 touches. He completed 84% of his 25 passes, including a key pass and his lone long ball attempt. Meanwhile, his one shot was off target. Defensively, the right back added a tackle, a clearance, and a blocked shot. He was overpowered at the back post on the pass that set up Toronto’s goal, allowing it to be headed down for Etienne to finish.

MF, Wilder Cartagena, 5.5 — Cartagena was pretty strong in this game except for one key play. He recorded 49 touches and completed 90.5% of his 42 passes, including a key pass and his lone long ball. His only shot was off target, but he recorded three tackles and one interception defensively. Unfortunately, he was defending Etienne in the fifth minute and let him get open in the box to score Toronto’s goal, knocking his grade down.

MF, Cesar Araujo, 6.5 — This was a classic Araujo performance with 61 touches, second most on the team. He completed a team-high 92.3% of his 52 passes, including a key pass and three of his five long balls. Defensively, he won four tackles and had a blocked shot.

MF, Ivan Angulo, 6.5 — Similar to Araujo, Angulo had a strong showing in this game. He recorded 47 touches and completed 88.6% of his 35 passes, including two key passes. While he only completed one of his three crosses, it was a beautiful ball that landed on the head of Martin Ojeda for the equalizing goal. The attacking midfielder also helped out defensively with a successful tackle, an interception, and a clearance. His defensive work was vital in helping Smith contain the dangerous Federico Bernardeschi.

MF, Martin Ojeda, 6.5 — Ojeda was very good in this game, recording 52 touches and completing 75% of his 36 passes in 69 minutes. He had a key pass, completed three of his eight crosses, and connected on all of his three long balls. He put two of his three shots on target and headed in Angulo’s cross in the 27th minute to even the game at 1-1.

MF, Facundo Torres, 6.5 (MotM) — Torres had 54 touches in this game and was a threat going forward throughout. He completed 80.6% of his 36 passes, including a key pass, but he didn’t complete his lone cross. He played a nice ball forward for Angulo in the 27th minute, recording a secondary assist, and his dangerous ball into the six-yard box in the 45th minute was knocked in by Nicksoen Gomis for the game-winning goal. In addition to his offensive play, Torres recorded a tackle, an interception, and a blocked shot defensively. He’s my Man of the Match for being part of both goals.

F, Duncan McGuire, 5 — McGuire was poor in this game, unable to make much of an impact. He had 17 touches and wasn’t able to get on the end of any crosses. The forward completed 44.4% of his nine passes with a key pass and was replaced by Jeorgio Kocevski in the 79th minute.

Substitutes

D, Rafael Santos (69’), 5.5 — Santos came on for Smith in the 69th minute but was less involved. He had 17 touches and completed 85.7% of his seven passes. While he completed his lone cross, his one long ball was incomplete. He had one clearance defensively, but his appearance wasn’t very memorable.

MF, Nico Lodeiro (69’), 6 — Lodeiro came on in the 69th minute for Ojeda in a like-for-like change. He recorded 19 touches and completed 76.9% of his 13 passes, including two key passes and both of his long balls. Defensively, he added a tackle and blocked a shot in a strong performance by the veteran.

MF, Jeorgio Kocevski (79’), 6 — Kocevski came on in the 79th minute for McGuire in a defensive role. He had 10 touches and completed 85.7% of his seven passes, but his impact was defensive. The rookie had four clearances as the Lions looked to keep a one-goal lead, helping to see out the game.

F, Ramiro Enrique (83’), 5.5 — Enrique replaced Torres in the 83rd minute for energy and to help see out the game. He only had nine touches and completed four of his five passes, including his lone cross. He added a clearance defensively as the team defended fiercely in the final minutes.

F, Luis Muriel (83’), 5 — Muriel came on in the 83rd minute for Angulo and it was difficult to watch the Designated Player. He took three shots and two could’ve been game-clinching goals, but he missed the target on all three attempts. He had 12 touches and completed his four passes, but he could’ve made the end of the game much easier by putting away one of his golden chances.

That’s how I saw the Lions’ win over Toronto FC. How did you see their performances? Let us know, and be sure to vote for your Man of the Match in the poll below.