ORLANDO, Fla. (October 23, 2016) ā Orlando City SC (9-11-14, 41 points) slammed D.C. United (11-10-13, 46 points) 4-2 in dominant fashion in its last match at Camping World Stadium. Kevin Molino and Cristian Higuita each had a goal and an assist as the Lions finished off the regular season one point shy of the playoffs for the second-consecutive season.
āIām obviously very pleased with the performance. The players gave us everything that they could. My message to the team is that when they are fully committed, they can be very good.ā Lions Head Coach Jason Kreis said. āFrom my point of view, the players deserve thanks for what they give. I just wanted to let them know that I am very appreciative for what theyāve done and what theyāve given over the short time that weāve been together. It means something to me and Iāll always remember it.ā
Orlando City got off to a fast start and beat D.C. goalkeeper Travis Worra just 13 minutes into the match when KakĆ” floated a ball to Rafael Ramos, who made his second consecutive start. The Portuguese right back drove a low cross in for Molino who tapped home his 11th goal of the season.
City struck again in the 21st minute when Molino found KakĆ” deep in the box. The Brazilian superstar dribbled at Worra and lifted a sweet little flick perfectly inside the far corner to make it 2-0.
Higuita, the Lionsā stalwart defensive midfielder, notched his first goal of 2016 and his second in MLS in the 50th minute when KakĆ” found him on the right flank. The Colombian ripped a right-footed shot at the far post to make it 3-1 and give KakĆ” his team-leading ninth assist of the season.
Then in the 89th minute, Higuita found JĆŗlio Baptista, who entered the match less than 15 minutes earlier, and āThe Beastā powered a shot through Worra and into the back of the net. It was Baptistaās sixth goal of the season and came just after his spectacular bicycle kick was blocked on its way to goal.
Carlos Rivas made his second consecutive start and was a force up top. The Colombian Designated Player delivered dangerous crosses from the left wing and took several strong shots.
The match was the Lionsā last at Camping World Stadium, where the Lions played their 2011-2013 United Soccer League (USL) seasons and its 2015 MLS season. Over those seasons, City captured two regular season titles and two USL Pro Championships with the backing of the passionate home supporters. City hosted 1,090,907 fans at Camping World Stadium in two seasons in MLS. Orlando City and Orlando Pride of the National Womenās Soccer League (NWSL) will move into the Clubās brand new downtown stadium in 2017.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS:
First Half
9ā Kevin Molino makes a great hustle play to win the ball back in the attacking third before working it to MatĆas PĆ©rez GarcĆa, who strikes a left-footed shot off D.C. goalkeeper Travis Worraās hands and Molino almost heads in the rebound.
13ā The Lions take the lead after KakĆ” lofts a beautiful through ball into Rafael Ramos, who delivers a low cross to Molino for the tap-in.
20ā Ramos delivers a low cross in the box but D.C. clears the danger.
21ā City doubles its lead when KakĆ” receives a pass from Molino and dribbles down the left flank and into the box before flicking it past Worra perfectly into the bottom corner.
30ā Molino plays a through ball wide to Ramos who cuts back and fires a left-footed strike just wide of the near post.
33ā Rivas whips in a low cross to Molino who flicks his header inches away from the back post.
37ā The Lions continue their impressive attack. KakĆ” shows off his skills as he evades two defenders and lays off a pass to Molino who fires his shot high.
43ā Alvaro Saborio taps in a pass to put D.C. on the board.
45 (+2)ā After two minutes of added time, the referee ends the first half. Orlando City 2, D.C. United 1.
Second Half
50ā The Lions add another goal after Higuita gains possession and dribbles into the box before firing a powerful strike to the far post.
56ā Rafael Ramos does excellent work to get past his defender to find space in the corner and whips in a ball to Kevin Molino, who regains possession and fires a shot off the far post.
57ā Joe Bendik does well to punch an awkward ball out of the box.
61ā A swift combination between Rivas and Molino leads to a KakĆ” shot that is blocked.
62ā Molino plays KakĆ” a through ball inside the box but the captain is unable to find Molino again inside the six.
65ā The Lions almost catch D.C. United on the counter but PĆ©rez GarcĆaās pass is just wide of KakĆ”ās path.
68ā Molino plays a clever flick to lead Rivas alone with Worra but Rivas is unable to get around him.
69ā Cyle Larin enters the match in place of PĆ©rez GarcĆa.
75ā JĆŗlio āThe Beastā Baptista enters the match in place of Carlos Rivas.
78ā Kennedy Igboananike scores with a powerful left-footed finish.
80ā KakĆ” wins a corner kick after attacking the left wing and crossing to Larin inside the box.
81ā Kevin Alston enters the match in place of Rafael Ramos.
83ā Baptista nearly connects on a bicycle kick after a Lions corner.
85ā The Beast nearly finds the near post from a Kaka through ball but his strike is just wide.
89ā Higuita finds Baptista at the top of the box and the Beast fires a right-footed strike past Worra to extend the lead.
90 (+2)ā After two minutes of added time, the referee ends the match. Orlando City 4, D.C. United 1.
Scoring Summary:
ORL - Kevin Molino (Rafael Ramos) 13ā
ORL - KakĆ” (Kevin Molino) 21ā
DC - Alvaro Saborio (Julian Buescher) 43ā
ORL - Cristian Higuita (KakĆ”) 50ā
DC - Kennedy Igboananike (Julian Buescher) 78ā
ORL - JĆŗlio Baptista (Cristian Higuita) 89ā
Misconduct Summary:
None.
Lineups/Substitutions:
Orlando City SC - GK Joe Bendik, D Mikey Ambrose, JosĆ© Aja, Seb Hines, Rafael Ramos (Kevin Alston 81ā), M Cristian Higuita, Antonio Nocerino, KakĆ”, MatĆas PĆ©rez GarcĆa (Cyle Larin 69ā), Kevin Molino, F Carlos Rivas (JĆŗlio Baptista 75ā)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Earl Edwards Jr., D Tommy Redding, Luke Boden, Servando Carrasco
D.C. United - GK Travis Worra, D Sean Franklin (Marcelo Sarvas 46ā), Luke Mishu, Kofi Opare, Jalen Robinson, M Julian Buescher, Collin Martin, Lamar Neagle, Rob Vincent (Jared Jeffery 72ā), F Kennedy Igboananike, Alhaji Kamara (Alvaro Saborio 40ā)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Bill Hamid, D Steve Birnbaum, M Nick DeLeon, Lloyd Sam
Details of the Game:
Time: 4 p.m. ET
Weather: Clear
Date: October 23, 2016
Attendance: 30,022
Stats:
Possession:
ORL - 59.8 %
DC - 40.2 %
Shots:
ORL - 18
DC - 10
Saves:
ORL - 1
DC - 1
Fouls:
ORL - 16
DC - 10
Corners:
ORL - 4
DC - 1