ORLANDO, FL –- The rousing chanting from the stands, drums beating, and flags waving from soccer fans was the scene at the Orlando City Stadium, as Orlando City SC hosted the Seattle Sounders in Orlando’s second to last home game of the season.
During the pre-game, Orlando City Head Coach, James O’Conner, spoke about the focus of the team in these last two home games.
“[We need to] Play with a lot of passion, try to play with a little bit of quality, try to attack and try to be defensive[ly]….If we can score first, I think it’ll give the lads a little bit of belief,” O’Conner said.
Despite the expectations of O’Conner, the Lions ended up trailing the Sounders 2-0 during the first half of the game.
The Sounders came out strong with a goal by midfielder Victor Rodriguez assisted by right back Kelvin Leerdam making it the third time the Lions conceded a goal in the third minute this season.
Ten minutes later, Sounders midfielder Handwalla Bwana, assisted by Rodriguez, would score their second goal. Although the Orlando City Lions attempted seven shots on goal during the first half of play, the Sounders were able to sustain a higher level of play throughout the first half.
Going into the second half, the Lions came out with more intensity and energy. Forward Dom Dwyer, assisted by right back Scott Sutter and midfielder Chris Mueller scored Orlando’s first goal of the game. Orlando City piled up more shots on goal during the second half however it wouldn’t be enough to tie the game by the end of regulation. In the end, the Sounders would hang on to defeat the Lions, 2-1.
After the game, Dwyer recounted the differences between the first half and second half of the game.
“We came out a little bit better, a bit sharper” Dwyer said.
O’Conner also stated, “[In the] second half we came out with a little bit more energy and I thought we started to cause them a few more problems, have more pressure in their half and obviously got the goal.”
Looking at the final two games of the season, O’Conner stressed the need for stronger defense.
“I think it becomes very difficult to go and win games when you’re defending like we’re defending. It affects confidence, it affects play going forward, it becomes a test of character and a test of mentality. And so I think the important piece is to have much better shape when we don’t have the ball and then when we get forward and having some pressure on their half…we need to pass quicker and penetrate lines. If we can start the game with a little more intensity and stop giving away such poor goals, we’ll give ourselves a chance of going on and trying to get something out of the game,” O’Conner said.
As for Seattle, this win clinched the Sounders’ tenth consecutive playoff berth, while the Lions fell to a MLS Record of 7-21-4.
(Melissa Potes, EBC Florida Bureau, Eagle News Service)
