D.C. United dominated the first half and held ranks against a high energy Orlando City for a 2-1 win at Orlando City Stadium. Here are three things we learned.
It was another difficult defeat for Orlando City SC as they fell to D.C. United 2-1 at Orlando City Stadium on Sunday night. It was a tale of two separate halves as D.C. dominated with a scintillating first-half display. Despite the tough start, Orlando City never gave in and continued to put pressure and find good opportunities to equalize their 2-0 deficit.
Unfortunately for Orlando, they were unable to put the final product together, while D.C. United managed to end their 11-game winless streak away from home. United showcased just how dangerous they can be, not only in possession, but also on the counter-attack.
Here are three things we learned from this exciting Sunday night MLS matchup.
3. Chris Mueller deserves to start
Chris Mueller had an immediate impact on the match when he came on in the 59th minute for Sacha Kljestan. He quickly found his way on the ball and got himself into threatening positions in the D.C. United half.
Junior Moreno and Joseph Mora struggled to restrict Mueller’s creative talents and quick movements. Mueller’s assist to Dom Dwyer in the 63rd minute was a show of his passing brilliance. He repaid James O’Connor’s belief in him tenfold.
The American never showed restraint when taking on defenders through the middle. Up to that point in the match, Orlando was only finding chances from out wide. Kljestan was unable to make an impact through the middle of the park. Upon the arrival of Mueller, however, he forced himself to pick up the ball through the center and create from there.
Mueller was absent from Orlando’s 1-0 win away from home against the New York Red Bulls. He was also disappointing in the 3-1 home loss to the Montreal Impact, which could have been reason enough for O’Connor putting his faith in other players. Mueller did well with the opportunity given to him and continued to show that he has to be a key figure in the OCSC side. While he did not score, he showcased the same level of class that he exhibited against New York City FC in the first game of the MLS season.
O’Connor will be forced to address the difficult decision of how to work Mueller into the starting XI. Against New York City FC, Mueller started up top as a striker. In one of his worst performances of the season, the American started out on the right as a deeper lying winger.
Mueller is markedly more threatening when he is playing higher up the pitch. He is able to move in and out of the opposition’s defense and midfield. His quality from set pieces is also an attribute that Orlando could desperately benefit from.
O’Connor would have to replace Nani, which is unlikely this early in the season, or Sacha Kljestan in the middle of the park. Neither would be a smart option as both Nani and Kljestan have a lot to offer the side. The only other option would be to abandon the back-three formation and try to play a more attacking formation, especially when playing at home. Whatever he does, Mueller deserves more opportunities.