Orlando City vs. Nashville SC: Five Takeaways

Orlando City traveled to Tennessee to take on Eastern Conference foe Nashville SC. The Lions came into the match riding a three-match winning streak, while Nashville had lost four in a row. Fortunately, the streaks continued as Orlando City defeated Nashville 3-0 in the midweek match. What follows are my five takeaways from a definitive win in Music City.

Back-Post Beauty

It only took Orlando City 19 minutes to take the lead against Nashville. Ramiro Enrique was fouled by Alex Muyl, setting up a free kick opportunity just outside the box. Martin Ojeda delivered a perfect kick to the back post for Cesar Araujo to head into the back of the net. Of course, if Araujo hadn’t gotten it, Facundo Torres was there to back him up, as the two were completely unmarked. It was a major defensive lapse by Nashville that the Lions were able to take advantage of to take the lead.

Muyl Gets Faced

Amazingly, Ojeda was fouled very close to where Muyl fouled Enrique, setting up yet another free kick. Ojeda once again took the kick, sending it into the box where Nashville’s Jack Maher tried to head it out, but only managed to bounce it off Muyl’s face and in for an own goal in the 40th minute. Two free kicks, two goals, too much fun for an Orlando City squad that has scored at least two goals in seven straight matches.

Satisfying Set Pieces

Orlando City may have scored two goals from set pieces, but the team also needed to defend several Nashville set pieces, including six corners. Fortunately, the Lions were able to keep Nashville out of the net with solid defending on corners and free kicks. This used to be a challenge for Orlando City, but has now become a strength, as was demonstrated against Nashville.

Enrique’s Streak Continues

Enrique scored Orlando City’s third goal of the night, and his third goal in three matches in the 81st minute. Ivan Angulo passed the deflection from Luis Muriel’s blocked shot straight to Enrique on the right side of the box. Enrique took one touch and then smashed it past Joe Willis and off the bottom of the crossbar into the goal. This is the type of production the Lions need from Enrique while Duncan McGuire is with the USMNT Olympic squad.

A Confident Team

What we saw on the pitch at Nashville was a comfortable, confident Orlando City. This is a club that has now won five of its last six matches, scoring 19 goals while only giving up eight over that span. Once again, the players were finding spaces, completing passes, creating chances, and defending as a team. Whatever Oscar Pareja is telling these guys is working, because you can see the belief.

The Lions finished the match a player up because Nashville’s Tyler Boyd was stretchered off due to injury. We wish him a speedy recovery. Otherwise, that is what I saw in Orlando City’s 3-0 victory at Nashville SC. Let me know your thoughts in the comments below and as always, vamos Orlando!