Orlando Defeats Montreal, Inches Closer to MLS Playoffs

WIN MARKS FOURTH-STRAIGHT FOR LIONS

ABOVE VIDEO: Seb Hines with the game-winner for Orlando City SC.Hines sight. Orlando City Soccer Club keep their playoff hopes alive with 2-1 win over Impact de Montréal.

ORLANDO, FLORIDA — Orlando City Soccer Club (11-13-8, 41 points) battled to overcome an early injury to Rafael Ramos and Tommy Redding to defeat the Montreal Impact 2-1 before the third largest crowd at the Orlando Citrus Bowl this season – 35,421 fans.

With the high attendance for the match, Orlando became the fastest team in MLS to host a half million fans.

Seb Hines and Luke Boden were substituted into the match in the 11th minute for Redding and Ramos, respectively, after the two were involved in a collision in the Lions’ third of the field. Rookie Major League Soccer (MLS) goal-scoring record holder Cyle Larin extended his mark to 15 on the season, firing a blast in the 33rd minute which deflected off the hands of Impact goalkeeper Evan Bush and into the net to give Orlando the early lead.

Impact forward Dominic Oduro leveled the hotly contested match in the 44th minute with a controversial goal. The ball appeared to be secured by Orlando goalkeeper Tally Hall but it was kicked away by Oduro and into the net. The second half continued with the same level of intensity on both sides of the ball, as Montreal and Orlando played for the coveted three points. A total of eight cautions were distributed in the match by referee Edvin Jurisevic.

Orlando’s backline turned in another stellar performance, holding Montreal to only two shots in the second half while the Lions pressed forward in search of the winning goal. Seb Hines would ultimately break through in the 80th minute, volleying a shot past Bush following a broken corner attempt.

“The ball just fell to me and it was instinct to get a clean connection on it and lucky for me it went to the back of the net,” Hines said. “I didn’t have time to think about it I can see in the box there’s a lot of players around here and I’m just thankful the ball went into the goal.”

Lions’ coach Adrian Heath was pleased by his team’s attitude and remains confident the Lions can win the remaining games on the 2015 schedule.

“It’s never easy winning games of football that you have to win. It comes with extra pressure. Winning football games is hard enough as it is without going into the game knowing that anything less than the victory won’t do,” said Heath “But I thought the attitude of the players was absolutely magnificent and I thought we completely deserved the three points. A few weeks ago I said I believe this team could win four or five and I still think we can finish the season off unbeaten, and if we do I think that’ll give us a great chance.”

Orlando midfielder Brek Shea, a member of the U.S. Men’s National Team, believes the Lions will be a dangerous team in the MLS playoffs if they’re fortunate enough to gain a playoff entry.

“It’s a huge win. I think the each win of the last 4 games are huge. After the first win we just keep winning and the confidence and motivation keeps us going to the next game. If we can continue doing that hopefully we can get into the playoffs and be a hard team to beat.”

The Lions will have a bye next weekend but will return to league play on Friday, October 16, against fellow expansion club New York City FC. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET at the Orlando Citrus Bowl.

To purchase group or individual tickets, or for more information on the 2017 season ticket waitlist, visit www.OrlandoCitySC.com or call 855-ORL-CITY.

First Half:

5’ Orlando City were forced to start the game with an uphill battle when Rafael Ramos and Tommy Redding collided face-to-face while going up for a header at full speed.

11’ As a result, Heath was forced to use two of his three substitutions for the night – introducing Seb Hines and Luke Boden – sliding Brek Shea over to right-back after play was stopped for approximately six minutes.

21’ Nevertheless, the Lions remained aggressive in their approach to the game -controlling nearly 60 percent of the possession midway through the first half.

26’ Midfielder Darwin Ceren provided the first threatening chance on goal for the Lions, firing a strong effort from the edge of the area that just whizzed over the crossbar.

33’ As the half approached the intermission, Cyle Larin broke the deadlock to give City the lead with a powerful a left-footed effort from the edge of the box, forcing goalkeeper Evan Bush to push it into his own goal.

44’ Montreal leveled the scoreline just before the half when forward Dominic Oduro appeared to kick the ball out of Tally Hall’s hands in the six, before slotting it into the back of the net.

45 Carlos Rivas’ free-kick from distance came close to regaining the advantage for City when his strike was deflected, skipping just wide of the far post.

45 (+6) At the end of the half, both teams were level 1-1 after a controversial goal was scored by Montreal late in the opening 45.

Second Half:

50’ Brek Shea opened the second half with a blistering effort from 30 yards away that rattled off the crossbar.

57’ Rivas followed Shea’s attempt, cutting inside on his left foot and blasting a shot that went high of the target.

59’ Montreal introduced Didier Drogba in the game, replacing Oduro.

69’ Heath made his final change of the night, bringing on Bryan Rochez for Lewis Neal. Coming into tonight’s game, Rochez found the back of the net in the past three games for Orlando as a substitute.

70’ Orlando announced 35,421 fans were in attendance, marking the third largest crowd to attend a City game at the Citrus Bowl this season. In addition, over 500,000 fans have attended Orlando City home games in 2015.

80’ With ten minutes remaining in the game, Hines produced late-game heroics with a clutch finish in the box, volleying the ball into the top corner after Drogba struggled to clear Boden’s cross away.

89’ Kaka played Rivas in behind with a well-placed ball, setting the Colombian up for a golden chance. Rivas attempted to curl his effort with a first-time strike into the top corner but ultimately missed the far post.

90 (+3) The referee blew the final whistle, resulting in the Lions’ fourth consecutive win.

 

Team                                                 1          2          Final

Orlando City SC       1    1    2

Montreal Impact       1    0    1

Scoring Summary:

ORL: Cyle Larin (Unassisted) 33’

MON: Dominic Oduro (Unassisted) 44’

ORL: Seb Hines (Unassisted) 80’
Misconduct Summary:

MON: Andres Romero (Yellow Card) 19’

ORL: Tally Hall (Yellow Card) 44’

MON: Donny Toia (Yellow Card) 45’

MON: Johan Venegas (Yellow Card) 45’

ORL: Kaka (Yellow Card) 45’

ORL: Luke Boden (Yellow Card) 61’

ORL: Brek Shea (Yellow Card) 87’

 
Stats:
Shots:

ORL: 12

MON: 6

Corners:

ORL: 4

MON: 4
Offside:

ORL: 1

MON: 2
Fouls:

ORL: 9

MON: 12

Saves:

ORL: 1

MON: 1

 

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