Orlando City extended their unbeaten streak at home in a 1-0 win over the New York Red Bulls. Sunday’s victory has the side sitting behind only Columbus in the Eastern Conference. Here are the takeaways from Orlando’s third win of the season.
Orlando City gave the home crowd a fine defensive display on Saturday in route to their third win in four matches. Orlando’s back line, thought by many to be the squad’s main weakness heading into the season, has been nothing short of impressive in conceding only 3 goals while stifling the likes of David Villa and Bradley Wright-Phillips.
Your Starting XI for today's #ORLvNY match on @espn. #NeverHuntAlone pic.twitter.com/46CMJWHszJ
— x - Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) April 9, 2017
The Lions lined up in a true diamond for the first time with Matías Pérez García located centrally in support of Carlos Rivas and Cyle Larin. The only negative on the day came when Antonio Nocerino suffered what appeared to be a calf injury and was replaced by Servando Carrasco in the 17th minute. However, with just over ten minutes left in the first half, Carrasco was able to narrowly beat out New York goalkeeper Luis Robles to connect on Will Johnson’s corner and head home for the game’s only goal. Here are three takeaways from the shutout win:
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There’s no place like home
From the moment the club stepped onto the field for their inaugural match in 2015, the City Beautiful has exhibited tremendous support for their team. Their first two campaigns saw a combined average home attendance of over 32,000, good for second in the league behind Seattle. However, their home record was less than stellar, winning only 6 of 34 within the confines of what is now Camping World Stadium.
Orlando City Stadium, the club’s new home, is an entirely different animal and has played home to three straight wins to begin the 2017 season. Orlando designed the stadium to include a standing-room only section and a designated area for the use of smoke canisters, both firsts in Major League Soccer, and the result has been a unique and daunting atmosphere for opponents. Orlando’s first playoff appearance will become increasingly likely if they are able to maintain such fine form at home.
Ability to grind out results
In picking up 9 points from a possible 12, Orlando City has impressed in their ability to hold onto slim leads and grind out results. This characteristic is often what separates playoff teams from those left wondering what might have been in October.
The Red Bulls dominated possession in the second half, finishing with 61% for the game, but Orlando remained resolute in their ability to stay compact and largely deny dangerous scoring chances. This comes as a pleasant surprise following the 2015 season in which the men in purple surrendered 60 goals, the most in MLS.
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Cyle Larin still needs help
Despite a number of positives on the day, Orlando remain less than convincing in front of goal. Only three of twelve attempts were able to find the target, and the lone goal came on a set piece from a substitute midfielder, hardly a recipe for success going forward.
Orlando enjoyed a number of nice passages of play and quick counter attacks, particularly in the first half, but the final product is still missing. Carlos Rivas is perhaps the easiest choice when identifying who needs to step up, but the entire supporting cast will need to help lessen the burden on Larin, who has accounted for all but one of the side’s goals following Carrasco’s winner.
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Orlando City will look to maintain their perfect home record when they host the Los Angeles Galaxy on Saturday.