1. A much-needed win. Orlando City SC got all three points from last year's playoff foe, Charlotte FC, winning 3-1 on Wednesday night at Inter&Co Stadium.
2. With the win, the Lions extend their unbeaten run to 11 games across all competitions, one away from tying their Club record streak they set back in 2020, Head Coach Oscar Pareja's first year. The team has gone on some great unbeaten runs over the last five years, but this one is hitting a level this club hasn't seen in a previous season.
3. Kicking things off was a goal that came out of a turnover and ended in a goalkeeper blooper. Some great pressing work by the Lions in the eighth minute forced a turnover by Charlotte in their own half. A quick flick from David Brekalo to César Araújo opened up some space, and then, a one-time flick on from Araújo to Luis Muriel found the striker with no one around. Just two quick dribbles to settle and a low shot towards goal didn't seem too dangerous for the reigning Goalkeeper of the Year, but a fortuitous bounce just before it reached the keeper caused the ball to come up a bit too quickly, bouncing off Kristijan Kalkina's hands and into the back of the net. It was a much-needed early goal for both the Lions and for Luis Muriel, who hadn't scored since his game-winner back in Los Angeles last month.
4. The second goal came from the hottest player on the Orlando roster. After a blocked shot by Marco Pašalić fell to the left side of the box, Martín Ojeda stepped into the bouncing ball and laced the shot off a half volley into the bottom corner of the net. It was as clean as you can strike a ball like that and for a player coming off a hat trick just a few days ago, Ojeda doesn't look to slow down his hot form. The DP now has eight goals and three assists in 13 games.
5. Just as the game ticked passed the half-hour mark, Charlotte got on the board thanks to Wilfred Zaha. It was a frustrating goal to concede for Orlando, which looked in control up to that point. The same can be said about this past weekend against New England, which ended 3-3. Pareja spoke after the game and said how the team still needs to find that balance of attacking and defending to take that next step.
6. As the game flipped over into the second half, the game became a bit more cagey. The Lions were holding on to a one-goal lead, and Charlotte was starting to look dangerous, hitting the crossbar at one point. But Ramiro Enrique was able to put the game away in the 82nd minute thanks to a bit of skill and a pass made to him. Brekalo played a through ball, breaking lines through the defense and leading Enrique perfectly into goal. The forward took it, cut back on a dime, sending U.S. Men's National Team defender Tim Ream flying, and striking the ball clean to beat Kahlina and secure the game for the Lions.
7. Speaking of Brekalo, he has really started to find his place on the left side of the defense. The assist to Enrique plus the secondary assist on Muriel's goal mark the first two assists as a Lion for the Slovenian King, but his defensive presence on that left side has also secured Orlando's backline, without having to give up too much offensively by having a centerback playing out wider. His confidence to step up into the midfield with the ball and even to push forward into the attack give him such a different dimension in his play, making it harder for opposing teams to keep him out of the game. And the best part is that he's still getting better.
8. What's the best birthday gift you could ask for? Well, for his 18th birthday, Justin Ellis got to make his MLS debut. Coming on for Ojeda in the 88th minute, it marked yet another Academy product coming in and making his first-team debut this year, joining Colin Guske, Gustavo Caraballo and Zakaria Taifi. The growing list of young players getting debuts is not just for show, as Pareja pointed out after the game. They have all earned the opportunity to take that pitch, despite their age. Their skill and confidence speak for themselves, they don't look overwhelmed or outmatched. They all look like they belong.
9. Now the Lions turn to their next game this Sunday, a quick jaunt down to Ft. Lauderdale as Orlando take on their in-state rivals, Inter Miami CF. That game on Sunday, May 18, will kick off at 7 p.m. ET.
