Larin gives Orlando the lead
It is a season of firsts for Orlando City and Sunday night in Portland was no different. In their first ever trip to the Rose City, rookie forward Cyle Larin made his first MLS start, scored his first professional goal, and elevated the traveling Lions to an impressive 2-0 victory.
Larin was forced into last week’s contest as an early substitute for injured striker Pedro Ribeiro. This week head coach Adrian Heath uncharacteristically revealed some of his hand when he announced that Larin would get the start for Orlando on Sunday. The young striker wasted no time in making good on the confidence of his gaffer.
In the 30th minute Larin found himself at the other end of a hard-driven delivery from teammate Kevin Molino. With his body positioned ahead of the oncoming cross, Larin was forced to twist and deftly deflect the ball into net with his chest. It was an instinctive, athletic maneuver, and a memorable first goal for Orlando City’s No. 1 overall SuperDraft pick.
“The finish was fantastic because there was no way he was going to be able to control the ball and shoot in that tight of an area,” Heath said after the match. “It was a really good improvisation on his part and I think that will be the first of many for him in MLS.”
In previous matches this season Orlando City had been denied results despite superior performances. On this night, however, the Lions secured a positive result against a team which ultimately had more attempts on goal (18) and longer possession (54%). The difference in the match was defense.
Challenged from the outset by a talented attacking frontline featuring Maximiliano Urruti and Fanendo Adi, Orlando City’s center defense showed great discipline, coalescing effectively under frequent pressure. Aurelien Collin in particular snuffed out numerous Portland penetrations with timely step-ins and his typical physical play in the air.
Donovan Ricketts was also challenged over a full 90 minutes for the first time this season. But Orlando’s goalkeeper was up to the task against his former club. Ricketts’ most pivotal save came in the 71st minute when fresh-legged forward Dairon Asprilla broke free on the right flank looking to level the score. Asprilla sent a hard shot to the far left post, forcing the Jamaican into a leaping reflex save to preserve the away team’s thin margin.
Feeling the sway of momentum drifting in Portland’s favor, Adrian Heath went to his bench late in the second half, bringing on Carlos Rivas to replace the fatigued Larin. Orlando’s speedy forward paid immediate dividends.
In the 83rd minute Rivas was sent chasing a seemingly optimistic long ball deep inside Portland territory. Forced off his line, Portland’s goalkeeper misjudged Rivas’ speed, made a desperately late dive at the ball, and sent the Colombian somersaulting toward the touchline. There was no option for referee Kevin Scott but to point to the penalty spot.
Kaka lined up the ensuing penalty kick —his first of the season— but the captain’s right-footed attempt hit the hands of goalkeeper Adam Kwarasey. The opportunity to seal the match looked lost until the referee whistled for encroachment on Portland’s Diego Chara. Kaka made no mistake on the follow-up try, sending a hard liner down the throat of the goal and the Lions home with a hard-fought victory.
Coaches Caleb Porter and Adrian Heath greet before the game.
Heath put the win down to hard work and perhaps a little bit of karma.
“Overall, I’m a firm believer of ‘you get out what you put in,'” Heath said. “And these guys have put so much in during the past few weeks with not a lot of reward. Today, I thought the guys got a bit of payback for maybe D.C. or Vancouver.”
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