Connect with us

Orlando City

Orlando City vs. Montreal Impact (Round 2): Player Grades

Published

on

All good streaks come to an end, this one just happened to come to an end in a match where Orlando City simply looked tired from the start. Way too many passes went awry and the Lions were not able to string together any good attacks until the last 5 or 10 minutes.

The Impact took the lead 1-0 and sealed the deal at the very end of stoppage time to make the final score 2-0. Here are our player grades for the match and be sure to vote for your Man of the Match in the poll below!

Player Grades

G, Tally Hall, 6.5 — In a game where most Montreal attempts ended in misfires, Tally did his part to save what he could and really wasn’t much to blame for the two goals that did go in. The first was off of a well taken corner (one of way too many for the Impact) and a stoppage time stunner that is not as much the fault of Seb Hines as it was the result of great determination from Dominic Oduro. Hey, we have to give credit when it is due.

D, Luke Boden, 5.5 — After playing the full 120 minutes on Wednesday, many where surprised to see Bodz start this one. While fatigue was in issue, Boden made some great defensive plays and contributed a little to the offense but was not able to make use of the mismatch on the left side. His exhaustion showed in the end and he failed to have his usual impact on the game.

D, Sean St. Ledger, 7.5 (MOTM) — In the beginning of the match, I was sure that Collin and St. Ledger were set to have a spectacular game and I was not 100% wrong. The Republic of Ireland international was able to hold Montreal at bay throughout the match with important challenges and timely tackles.

D, AurΓ©lien Collin, 7 — Right off the bat, Collin made some spectacular tackles, including one where he walked away in an almost Terminator-esque fashion. Number 78 has been a stalwart on defense all year and we can only hope his hamstring turns out to be okay in the morning.

D, Rafael Ramos, 6 — While the young Portuguese star has a knack for getting forward on the attack, he was saved several times by the fact that Lewis Neal just isn’t an attacking player. Perhaps this game would have turned out better if Adrian Heath had moved Neal back and Ramos forward? All kidding aside, Ramos has the speed to shut down any attacker and move into attacking position himself, but needs to know when to go forward and when to stay back. I will say, once Rivas came in, Ramos did seem to nail down his positioning a lot more often.

M, Cristian Higuita, 4 — Sloppy giveaways, sloppy fouls, I even cried out for Amobi Okugo to come in at one point (yes, I really did). Higuita has been a sensation in the holding midfield position alongside Darwin Ceren, but tonight did not seem to get anything right. Let’s hope he gets it together on Wednesday. He did have one of Orlando’s best looks at goal in the first half, but shot just over the bar.

M, Darwin Ceren, 5.5 — Despite some bad giveaways, which seemed to be the theme of the match, Ceren had a great showing defensively and was able to get the ball out of the opposition’s hands (or, feet) when needed. Overall, an average performance from a player that lately has been superb. Chalk it up to showing some rust after returning from international duty.

M, Brek Shea, 5.5 — Despite not playing in the midweek, Shea wasn’t sharp at all playing in his now-customary left wing spot. He did manage a nice cross early but he often looked out of control, especially in the second half. We’ve come to expect much more from the U.S. International, especially as well rested as he was.

M, KakΓ‘, 5 — Yes, a five. As in, average. Our captain was not able to make a difference and seemed to give about half of his possessions away to Montreal. Perhaps Inchy should reconsider who he leaves at home for the U.S. Open Cup matches? In fairness, he did have one nice blast that Laurent Ciman cut out, but it was not the captain’s best performance.

M, Lewis Neal, 5 — While Neal may be able to play some great defense, it is obvious his best position is not in an attacking midfield role. He spent most of his time playing back and proved to make almost no difference in the match other than covering for Ramos when the young defender was not able to get back from his runs in time.

F, Cyle Larin, 5.5 — Larin, back from sensational performances for the Canadian National Team, was not able to recreate his magic on home soil. He had two noticeable chances that he was not able to capitalize on and did make a few good runs but sloppy play and poor first touches proved to make all the difference. Rookies, eh?

Substitutions

D, Seb Hines (49′), 4.5 — I suppose Hines deserves an A for effort but he was not able to replace what Collin was doing on the pitch. He made a nice effort to get back and block Dominic Oduro’s cross attempt but was slow to locate the rebound, which unfortunately went straight back to Dom and ended up in the net.

M, Carlos Rivas (61′), 6 — If only someone had said penalty kicks could lead to more confidence in younger players. Well, we saw that tonight because for the first time in his MLS career, Carlos Rivas took a spectacular shot that was actually on target. Unfortunately we did not get to see more of the young man but I can only imagine what having his speed alongside Ramos could have done for the full 90.

F, Pedro Ribeiro (77′), 7 — Week after week, Pedro seems to always make a difference and after the last match in Montreal, we were all expecting exactly what we saw from the Brazilian. Unfortunately, his efforts did not end in a goal, but the man deserves credit for making a huge difference in the match, and getting two shots on frame in his brief appearance. His positioning on crosses was spectacular and he continues to display a great first touch.

That’s it for us. Who was your Man of the Match for Orlando City? Vote in the poll below!

Polling Closed

Player Votes
Sean St. Ledger 34
AurΓ©lien Collin 12
Pedro Ribiero 26
Tally Hall 15
Other (Let us know in the comments) 2

Lion Links

Lion Links: 3/28/24

Getting to know Rafael Santos, Orlando Pride prepare for Chicago, Midge Purce out for the season, and more.

Published

on

Image courtesy of Orlando City SC

How’s it going, Mane Landers? I hope the work week has been treating you well as we gear up for another weekend of soccer. March flew by for me and April is shaping up to be a pretty busy month as well. In other news, I’m looking into adopting a cat and gathering the supplies to make that happen. Let’s dive into today’s links!

Getting to Know Rafael Santos

Orlando City left back Rafael Santos was the latest Lion to field questions as part of the club’s video series for fans to learn more about its players. The 26-year-old spoke about the decision process behind joining Orlando and playing outside of Brazil for the first time in his career after five years with Cruzeiro. He’s brought his attack-minded style of play to the team, particularly in terms of providing lethal crossing from the wing. Make sure to check out the full video as Santos also shared photos of his newborn and showcased his skill with a cavaquinho.

Orlando Pride Prepare to Host Chicago

After a pair of draws to start their season, the Orlando Pride will have a chance to claim their first win of the season when they host the Chicago Red Stars tomorrow night at 6 p.m. Head Coach Seb Hines spoke about how the Pride have shown plenty of resilience so far this young season. The team managed to secure a point in last week’s 1-1 draw with Angel City FC despite a patchwork back line due to injuries. That defense will likely have its hands full against Mallory Swanson and a Chicago team that won both of its first two games. Hines spoke about how the Pride are preparing for Chicago and how they will need the home crowd to bring the support tomorrow night.

Sophia Smith Signs Record-Breaking New Deal

American forward Sophia Smith signed a new contract with the Portland Thorns that will make her the highest-paid NWSL player, according to the club. The new deal will last through the 2025 season, with an option for 2026 as well. The 23-year-old was drafted by the Thorns with the first overall pick in the 2020 NWSL Draft and has gone on to score 34 regular-season goals. Smith re-signed with the club in 2022 and was set to become a free agent following this season, but will instead stay in Portland.

Midge Purce Out for NWSL Season

NJ/NY Gotham FC forward Midge Purce will miss the remainder of the NWSL season after tearing her ACL. The 28-year-old will undergo surgery and suffered the injury in her team’s 1-0 victory over the Portland Thorns this past weekend. She’s been with Gotham since 2020 and assisted on both goals in her team’s 2-1 win in the 2023 NWSL Championship. It’s a tough blow for the United States Women’s National Team too, as she will not be representing the U.S. during this summer’s Olympics in France.

Free Kicks

  • Orlando City B’s match against Carolina Core FC on April 14 has been rescheduled.

That’s all I have for you today. I hope you all have a wonderful Thursday and rest of your week!

Continue Reading

Lion Links

Lion Links: 3/27/24

Bally Sports will broadcast Orlando Pride matches, Pride players called up, USWNT announces SheBelieves Cup roster, and more.

Published

on

Dan MacDonald, The Mane Land

Hello, Mane Landers. I hope all is well with you down in Florida. I attended my friend’s wedding this past weekend and have been getting myself back into work mode by covering high school tennis this week. There is plenty to cover today, so let’s get to the links.

Bally Sports Will Broadcast Select Orlando Pride Matches

Bally Sports was announced as the new local television partner for the Orlando Pride. There will be 13 select Pride matches broadcast this season across Bally Sports Florida, Bally Sports Sun, and on the Bally Sports app. The partnership will begin this Friday, with the Orlando Soccer Insider show taking place before the kickoff of the Pride’s home match against the Chicago Red Stars at 7 p.m. The show will be broadcast on Bally Sports Florida, and then you can switch to the Bally Sports app to watch Friday’s match. Below are all the select matches that will be broadcast on Bally Sports this season.

Brazilian Orlando Pride Players Called Up

The Orlando Pride’s Marta, Angelina, and Luana were all called up by Brazil for next month’s SheBelieves Cup. Brazil heads into this tournament after a solid showing in the Concacaf W Gold Cup. The format is different for this year’s SheBelieves Cup, as there will only be four matches instead of six. Brazil’s first match of the tournament will be a semifinal on April 6 against Canada in Atlanta.

USWNT Announces Roster for SheBelieves Cup

United States Women’s National Team interim head coach Twila Kilgore announced the 23-player roster for the 2024 SheBelieves Cup matches next month. The USWNT has won this competition four consecutive times since 2020, and is going for a seventh title in 2024. Of those called up, 19 players on this squad were part of the team that won the Concacaf W Gold Cup earlier this month. San Diego Wave forward Jaedyn Shaw, the Concacaf W Gold Cup’s MVP, is back on the roster after she led the USWNT with four goals. The squad also includes familiar names like former Pride forward Alex Morgan, Washington Spirit forward Trinity Rodman, and Olympique Lyon midfielder Lindsey Horan. Mallory Swanson and Catarina Macario return to the squad after being sidelined with injuries. The USWNT will begin its quest to defend its SheBelieves Cup title when it faces Japan on April 6 in Atlanta.

MLS Referees Agree to New CBA

After a lockout that resulted in Major League Soccer starting the season with replacement referees, the Professional Soccer Referees Association voted to ratify a new collective bargaining agreement with the Professional Referee Organization. The new CBA is a seven-year deal that runs through January of 2031. This deal will also include significant pay raises for referees, assistant referees, and video assistant referees. The PRO referees will return to the pitch for this weekend’s MLS matches.

Ukraine, Georgia, and Poland Qualify for Euro 2024

Ukraine has qualified for this summer’s Euros after edging out Iceland 2-1 in its playoff final, with Mykhaylo Mudryk scoring the winning goal in the second half. Georgia eliminated Greece 4-2 on penalties after a 2-2 draw to book a spot in the tournament as well. Georgia qualifies for its first major tournament after coming up short in 2020. Poland also needed penalties to qualify, with goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny making the final save against Daniel James to beat Wales 5-4 on penalties after a scoreless draw.

Free Kicks


That will do it for me today, Mane Landers. Enjoy your Wednesday and I’ll see you next time.

Continue Reading

Lion Links

Lion Links: 3/26/24

Jack Lynn named to MLS Team of the Matchday bench, Nico Lodeiro and Marta up for weekly awards, USMNT stock watch, and more.

Published

on

Dan MacDonald, The Mane Land

Happy Tuesday, everyone! It was an enjoyable weekend for fans of Orlando soccer as the Lions got in the win column, the Pride stayed unbeaten, and Orlando City B picked up two points by way of a shootout win. As usual, we have plenty to discuss this morning, so let’s dive in.

Jack Lynn Makes Team of the Matchday Bench

Jack Lynn’s efforts in Orlando City’s 2-0 win over Austin FC have earned him a spot on the bench in the latest edition of the MLS Team of the Matchday. Lynn opened the scoring with a well-finished header in the first half, a tally which was also his very first for the senior side. Aside from his goal, he took another shot that was off target, completed 77% of his passes, and recorded 21 touches. The performance earned him a 6 out of 10 grade from Sean Rollins in his player grades from the match. Lynn’s inclusion in the TotM is well deserved, and hopefully it’s the first of many!

Orlando Players Up for Weekly Honors

Nico Lodeiro’s free kick during Orlando City’s win has been nominated for the MLS Goal of the Matchday. In the 64th minute, with the Lions holding a 1-0 lead, courtesy of Lynn’s goal, the good guys were awarded a free kick due to a handball on the edge of the box. Lodeiro proceeded to deliver the goods, scoring his first league goal for OCSC with a powerful, bending effort that Brad Stuver was unable to keep out of the top corner. Make sure you go and vote for Nico to win this week’s award!

He wasn’t the only Orlando player who had an impressive goal either, as the Orlando Pride’s Marta has been nominated for the National Women’s Soccer League Goal of the Week. It was a well-deserved nomination too, as she leveled the score and rescued a point for the Pride in spectacular fashion. With time ticking down in the 88th minute, she expertly volleyed in a corner kick at home. Go and vote for her to win the honor!

Post-Nations League Stock Watch

Several United States Men’s National Team players either boosted or hurt their stock over the course of last week’s Concacaf Nations League matches. Guys like Giovanni Reyna and Tyler Adams turned in impactful and timely performances. Reyna was named the best player of the tournament at a time when minutes at the club level are tough to come by, while Adams looked great as he continues to work his way back from a long injury layoff. Joe Scally and Folarin Balogun struggled though, with Scally being hooked at halftime against Jamaica and Balogun having a relatively quiet two games while fellow striker Haji Wright was the hero against Jamaica. Nobody’s stock dropped more than Mexico’s though, which has now gone seven games without beating the U.S., and hasn’t scored in almost 500 minutes. *Insert eagle screech here*

Big Names Missing for Euro 2024

The club season won’t be over for a couple more months, but there are a number of big stars who we either already know won’t be appearing at this summer’s Euro 2024, or who have a race against the clock in order to feature. The Real Madrid duo of David Alaba and Thibaut Courtois will both miss the tournament through injury, although Courtois’ rocky relationship with Belgium manager Domenico Tedesco means he may not have been called up anyway. Sven Botman will be unavailable for the Netherlands due to an ACL tear. Ivan Perisic suffered the same fate, sidelining him for Croatia. Then there are the cases of Sandro Tonali and Paul Pogba, who are unavailable for Italy and France, respectively, due to suspensions for off-field issues.

Free Kicks

  • Happy National Athletic Training Month from one AT (me) to another!
  • The young Yanks engineered a late comeback to earn a 2-2 draw with France, with Cade Cowell scoring the equalizer.
  • A vote has reportedly taken place on a new tentative agreeement between PRO and the PSRA.
  • LAFC has reportedly sent a formal contract offer for Olivier Giroud to join the Western Conference side once the Serie A season concludes.

That’s all I’ve got for you this morning. Vamos Orlando!

Continue Reading

Trending