Creavalle has be instrumental in controlling the midfield for the Union (Photo courtesy of Charlotte Thomas)
Guess what ? Orlando City Soccer Club can’t close games out defensively. The continuing theme of the season for the lions. Again the Lions had the lead late and couldn’t protect it to get three points at home.
A Kaka missed penalty kick highlighted a first half that left a lot to be desired in the eyes of Orlando City fans. The Union came out in the secnd half with a goal in the 52′ minute. It was a nice ball in off the set piece. David Mateos was caught ball watching and not marking Barnetta that lead to the score.
In the 67th minute Coach Heath brought on Kevin Molino and Julio Baptista. One minute later Molino scores on a sloppy play by the Union keeper Blake. There may have been interference by Larin on the play but it was not called.
A few minutes after Orlando was on the attack again that lead to a Larin goal. It was a nice run in from the corner by Kaka with a little pass to Larin that he was able to chest in. The ball may have not crossed the goal line but it was a called a goal by the officials none the less.
From there Orlando went back to its old tricks. Instead getting organized defensively and closing the game out, the Lions lethargically clawed to the end. After a block shot by Bendik, Ken Tribbett sneaked through three men in purple and to knock in a rebound for the tie.
Although only a third of the way through the season Orlando has consistently turned the ball over in the midfield and has been unable to close out teams defensively. Again this was the story of the night.
Collective sloppiness and losing the lead late lost the lions a very crucial two points at home. With New York City on the horizon this weekend hopefully OCSC can manage a point or three away. NYCFC defense is not much better than Orlando so hopefully the weekend results are similar or better for the men in purple.
Orlando City
