Earlier this week, MLSMultiplex published an article questioning whether Canadian rookie Cyle Larin was starting to feel the pressure about potentially breaking the Major League Soccer rookie record for most goals in a season. Since he scored a brace against the Columbus Crew on August 1sr, the striker failed to net a single goal in 7 consecutive starts.
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However, on Friday night that all changed with Larin not only finding the back of the net for the 12th time this season, but he added two more to score his second hat trick of the season. The previous record was set by Damani Ralph in 2003 when he was playing for the Chicago Fire and was able to score a total of 11 times.
Larin can’t seem to get enough of New York, scoring both his hat tricks in the city. His first came against New York City FC at Yankee Stadium at the end of July, and the most recent one came against the New York Red Bulls at Red Bull Arena.
Orlando City SC selected the 20-year-old with the first overall pick in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft and clearly it has panned out for the expansion team.
While Larin has already broken the record that stood for over a decade by three goals, he still has an opportunities to add to his tally. Orlando City still have three matches remaining in the 2015 campaign and barring injury or suspension, the rookie will more than likely start in all three games.
Larin’s hat trick also helped his club secure three crucial points as they move to just one point behind the Montreal Impact for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Montreal have three games on hand though, making next week’s match against the Impact a must win for Orlando.
The Lions will play the Impact for the final time next Saturday night, with Larin lifting the weight of the record off his shoulders just in time.
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