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Relief and jubilation! Those were some of the words to describe the mood of Orlando City SC players and supporters following a rousing 0-1 victory in a surprise triumph at New York Red Bulls last weekend.
Not only the Lions’ first win of the 2019 MLS season, the three points were extra significant because this was Orlando City SC‘s first road victory since 29 April 2018 – a good eleven months ago!
Despite New York Red Bulls missing key men Aaron Long and Kaku, nothing should be taken away from a deserved victory by James O’Connor‘s men who put in an incredibly disciplined and spirited performance at Red Bull Arena.
A real team effort, every Lion put in a fantastic shift in New Jersey from Brian Rowe in goal to Robin Jansson and João Moutinho who both enjoyed strong debut performances in defence.
The headlines belonged to the returning Sacha Kljestan however who’s solitary 73rd minute strike stole all three points against the side he served for three years with such distinction.
As well as scoring the only goal of the game, Sacha Kljestan also made seven recoveries, three clearances and two tackles in a morale boosting performance for both him and the team.
A real platform for Orlando City SC to kick on this season, James O’Connor‘s side now return to Orlando City Stadium to face Eastern Conference high flyers D.C. United who are hotly tipped for the Supporters’ Shield in 2019.
It’s been some turnaround for Ben Olsen’s men in a quick space of time who’ve gone from the lower doldrums of the division to one of the top dogs in the East.
This change in fortunes can definitely be traced back to the mid-season capture of Wayne Rooney last term who has not only brought genuine quality to the Black and Red attack but also first class leadership abilities.
With Orlando City SC still waiting for their first home victory of the season, this will be a tough assignment against a rejuvenated D.C. United.
2015/18 head-to-head stats
Most sickening defeat of last season?
Some may say the way we were PRO’d at Columbus Crew in July but the 3-2 defeat to D.C. United at Audi Field is right up there too!
Everyone will remember this game for the wrong reasons, in particular the way Will Johnson surrendered a huge chance on the break for the Lions as the game went deep into stoppage time at 2-2
With Wayne Rooney showing huge self-determination to track back half the field to dispossess the Canadian international, it was this sensational tackle that remarkably set up D.C. United’s stoppage time winner.
And it was the smallest player on the field, Luciano Acosta, who got on the end of a pin point Wayne Rooney long range assist to head home the Black and Red’s winner in virtually the last kick of the game in the 96th minute.
A goal that completed a hat-trick for the diminutive Argentine, many Orlando City SC supporters still haven’t forgiven Will Johnson for this gut-wrenching error.
D.C. United 3 Orlando City SC 2 – Highlights – August 12, 2018 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
That sickening 3-2 defeat to D.C. United actually pulled the Black and Red level in this game series.
Remarkably, there has only been one draw played out between Orlando City SC and the men from the District of Columbia since we entered Major League Soccer in 2015.
That draw came back in our very first fixture of last season when a stoppage time equaliser by Stéfano Pinho pegged back Yamil Asad’s 32nd minute opener for D.C.
Orlando City SC 1 D.C. United 1 – Highlights – March 3, 2018 (Credit: Orlando City SC)
Orlando City SC form
A really bad habit Orlando City SC need to turnaround is this unwanted knack of conceding the first goal at Orlando City Stadium.
Conceding the first goal in our last FOUR consecutive home fixtures in MLS, James O’Connor‘s side have uncharacteristically looked more stable and resilient on the road so far this season.
Giving ourselves a mountain to climb in the home games against New York City FC and Montreal Impact, Orlando City SC can’t afford to give any encouragement to a hugely talented D.C. United front line that boasts Paul Arriola, Wayne Rooney, Luciano Acosta and winter DP addition Lucas Rodriguez.
D.C. United form
D.C. United’s backlog of home fixtures contested in their shiny new Audi Field proved the catalyst for the Black and Red’s late run to the 2018 MLS Cup Playoffs last term.
Now a real strong outfit at home, D.C. United are also travelling competitively too with Ben Olsen’s side drawing their last THREE away fixtures in Major League Soccer.
With Orlando City SC finally putting an end to their wretched away form last time out at New York Red Bulls, James O’Connor‘s side will be looking to defend the fortress more regularly than has been the case over the past few years.
D.C. United’s star studded attack often wins the plaudits but it is actually their rock solid defence that has been giving them a huge advantage this season and last.
With highly rated fan favourite Bill Hamid between the sticks who is enjoying his second spell with the Washington-based side, D.C. United have kept a clean sheet in SIX of their last EIGHT MLS regular season fixtures.
Yet to concede a single goal in three MLS fixtures contested so far this season, Ben Olsen’s men opened the campaign with a 2-0 win over Atlanta United before a 0-0 draw at New York City FC and a 5-0 demolition of Real Salt Lake.
D.C. United 5 Real Salt Lake 0 – Highlights – March 16, 2019 (Credit: Major League Soccer)