VIDEO: Clint Dempsey’s Hat Trick Proves Too Much For Orlando City, 3-1

By  //  August 8, 2016

ABOVE VIDEO: Orlando City SC (5-6-11, 26 points) fell 3-1 to Seattle Sounders FC (7-12-3, 24 points) Sunday night at Camping World Stadium. Seb Hines opened the scoring for City in the seventh minute and midfielder Matías Pérez García made his Lions debut.

ORLANDO, FLORIDA – Orlando City SC (5-6-11, 26 points) fell 3-1 to Seattle Sounders FC (7-12-3, 24 points) Sunday night at Camping World Stadium. Seb Hines opened the scoring for City in the seventh minute and midfielder Matías Pérez García made his Lions debut.

Jason Kreis
Jason Kreis

“Very disappointed with the result but I think some of it’s natural. From what I saw tonight, we saw a group that the energy looked a little bit low, but we’ve been asking a lot of them for two weeks,” Head Coach Jason Kreis said.

“The adjustment is going to take some time from a physical standpoint. But it doesn’t mean we’re going to work less. Their bodies are going to adapt. From a tactical standpoint, we’re still working. It’s going to take some time.”

Orlando City jumped on the board early in the match when Kaká delivered a corner service to Hines in the box. The English defender drove a strong header off the ground and in for his third goal of the season and Kaká’s seventh assist.

The Sounders equalized and took the lead when U.S. national team captain Clint Dempsey scored in the 14th and 37th minute. Dempsey earned a hat trick in the 48th minute.

Orlando-City-580-5

The Lions had strong opportunities and dominated possession in the second half, but couldn’t get another ball past Seattle goalkeeper Stefan Frei. City’s best opportunity came in the 71st minute when Júlio Baptista headed Kaká’s free kick off the bar. The ball ricocheted to Hines, who got another strong header on it, but Frei kept it outside the line. Seconds later, David Mateos’ header whizzed past the near post.

Pérez García entered the match in the 55th minute in place of Hadji Barry, who made his fourth consecutive start. Pérez García, who was acquired from San Jose on Wednesday, immediately sparked the Lions’ attack. The Argentinian displayed his skill and technical ability, combining with Kaká, Baptista and Larin on several occasions.

Midfielder Servando Carrasco, who played three seasons for Seattle, made his 100th MLS regular season appearance.

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Antonio Nocerino made his second consecutive start and continued to show how he’s adjusted to MLS. The Italian made strong recoveries throughout the night and opened up opportunities on the counter attack.

The Lions begin a two-game road trip on Sunday, Aug. 14, when they visit the Chicago Fire at Toyota Park. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. ET.

City visits the Colorado Rapids on Saturday, Aug. 20, before returning to Camping World Stadium on Wednesday, Aug. 24, when it hosts Toronto FC for a 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff.