Orlando City Draws with New York Red Bulls

Following a frustrating draw, analyses from Orlando City players and coach reveal the pressing need to sharpen finishing to ensure positive results this season
Sacramento Republic FC v Orlando City SC - 2022 U.S. Open Cup Final
Sacramento Republic FC v Orlando City SC - 2022 U.S. Open Cup Final / Roy K. Miller/ISI Photos/GettyImages
facebooktwitterreddit

The final outcome, a draw, might seem a middling solution to unsuspecting spectators, but for those involved, it unveiled a constant struggle and a persistent dilemma: the difficulty in converting opportunities into goals.

Orlando City coach, Oscar Pareja, didn't hesitate to express his frustration post-match. To him, the team's performance warranted a better reward than just a solitary point. He described the game as a "big effort with a poor outcome," stressing the urgent need to score goals to secure victories. His words reflect not only an objective analysis of the game but also a deep reflection on the coach's responsibility in creating more effective finishing opportunities.

Follow MLS Multiplex on X (Twitter).

Pareja acknowledges that the team displayed volume, sequences, and energy during the game, essential elements for winning matches. However, the lack of "punch," as he puts it, was the primary reason Orlando City couldn't walk away with three points. It's a dilemma he's determined to address, taking responsibility for finding tactical solutions to improve efficiency in the final third of the field.

Pareja's sentiments are echoed by players like Robin Jansson and Iván Angulo, who share their insights on the team's performance and the areas needing improvement. Jansson expresses his disappointment with the result, despite the team's ball possession dominance. He acknowledges the opponent's quality but underscores the need to be more threatening in attack by converting created opportunities into goals.

Angulo, on the other hand, highlights the importance of remaining calm and focused, even in the face of encountered difficulties. He points out the equalizing goal as an example of perseverance, where the team was rewarded for its persistence. He recognizes that finishing remains an area of improvement for Orlando City, emphasizing the need to keep working to convert chances into goals.

feed