Orlando City Triumph Over Kansas City After in a Late Night Matchup
Orlando rewards home fans with another win after a three hour delay.
Photo credit Orlando City SC
In one of many cross-conference bouts over the weekend, Orlando City showed out strong versus a struggling Sporting Kansas City. The win would come after a nearly three hour weather delay; despite this delay, the home fans would be gifted yet another win to celebrate.
The lineups for both teams saw a few adjustments. Sporting Kansas City went with a 4-4-2 a slight change of their 4-4-1-1 they experimented with versus San Diego. This time, Dejan Joveljic would partner with Mason Toye up front. Orlando on the other hand, utilized their 4-4-2; this time, Orlando would rotate a few of their pieces in preparation for their busy schedule. Smith, Spicer, and Thorhallson would replace Araujo, Angulo, and Freeman respectavily.
Similarly to their previous match, Orlando would make their way onto the score sheet under 5 minutes. This time, it was recent acquisition Tyrese Spicer who capitalized on a deflected shot off of John Pulskamp. The Trinidadian was recently traded to Orlando from Toronto FC; this would mark his first goal in purple.
Sporting Kansas City would then challenge Orlando’s defense for much of the second half. The combining play between Toye and Joveljic led to a misplay Orlando’s Pedro Gallese and Rodrigo Schlegel. After a nicely played through ball from Joveljic to Toye, Toye would then serve it back for a Joveljic tap in. Joveljic has been one of Sporting Kansas City’s bright spots in an otherwise forgettable season.
The half ended 1-1.
After tactical changes and a few key substitutions, Orlando would go to take control of the second half. City outpossesed SKC by 14%, outshot their opponents 13-4, and had a pass accuracy of 91%. Orlando found the advantage in the 76th minute after Martin Ojeda would play a perfect short cross into Ramiro Enrique’s feet. After a spin and a turn, Enrique scored his 7th of the season.
In the 83rd minute, Orlando City finished off Sporting Kansas City after an Alex Freeman attempt would be blocked and bless the feet of a waiting Nicolas Rodriguez. This would also be Rodriguez’s first MLS goal after joining the Lions from Fortaleza in the Colombian league.
Two debut goals for the Lions goes to show the depth Orlando has to offer for it’s team. They will need it has they will now travel to Los Angeles to attempt to add a new trophy into their cabinet in Leagues Cup. Sporting Kansas City will be disappointed in conceding 3 goals. The Wizards will now have to travel again; this time, they will need to go from the Atlantic to the Pacific to challenge the Seattle Sounders.