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Another gameweek has passed by with Orlando City SC claiming yet another three points in our incredible start to the 2017 Major League Soccer campaign.
Defeating Colorado Rapids 2-0 on a sweltering day in Central Florida with the temperature almost hitting 90 degrees at kick-off, Jason Kreis‘ Lions sat top of both the Eastern Conference and the Supporters’ Shield standings come full-time. This is with TWO games in hand on second-placed New York Red Bulls!
It truly has been a massively morale-boosting start to the season with Orlando City SC now having won six of their seven games contested so far.
Looking so much more focused, determined and together, more so than ever before in MLS, Jason Kreis has really got the Lions fighting this season with Orlando City Stadium turning into the fortress we all thought it would be.
After an very evenly fought first-half with both Joe Bendik and Zac MacMath having little to do, the game burst into life shortly after Orlando City SC subbed in both Carlos Rivas and returning club captain Kaká just before the hour mark.
Out with a hamstring injury since the 1-0 2017 home opener against New York City FC, Ricky’s entrance coincided with ever increasing Orlando City SC pressure on the Rapids’ goal with Pablo Mastroeni’s side not so used to the stifling conditions.
But the Lions’ first goal was very much made in Colombia with both Cristian Higuita and Carlos Rivas exchanging a nice one-two to evade Bobby Burling ahead of Rivas absolutely rifling a fierce left-footed drive beyond Zac MacMath.
An absolute rocket of a strike, Orlando City Stadium was sent into rapture in a game where the first goal was always going to be key given the energy sapping conditions. The strike was also poignant because it was Carlos Rivas‘ first goal of the season following some impressive performances so far.
Orlando City SC put the game beyond all reasonable doubt when the returning Kaká put the cherry on the icing on the top of the cake with a 90th minute tap in after Cyle Larin did great to squeeze a shot across Zac MacMath’s goalmouth with his back to The Wall.
Queue our Brazilian superhero going absolutely wild, getting up close and personal with adoring swathes of purple in the supporters section. It was a fitting moment for Kaká who would’ve been feeling awfully frustrated at missing so much winning action over the past month or so.
With confidence so high in the Orlando City SC camp at the minute, we’ll need to bring our A-game yet again on Wednesday with the Lions making a demanding midweek trip to BMO Field to take on Toronto FC and that man Sebastian Giovinco!
Orlando City SC 2 Colorado Rapids 0 – Highlights – April 29, 2017 (Credit: Dwayne Williams)
Orlando City SC vs Colorado Rapids, 29.04.2017
Orlando City Stadium, Orlando, Florida
Major League Soccer
Gameweek 9
Joe Bendik | 7/10
Scott Sutter | 8/10
Tommy Redding | 7/10
Jonathan Spector | 8/10
Donny Toia | 7/10
Antonio Nocerino | 7/10
Will Johnson (C) | 7/10
Cristian Higuita | 7/10
Matías Pérez García | 6/10
Giles Barnes | 6/10
Cyle Larin | 7/10
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