Orlando City demolishes LA Galaxy to record historic first MLS home win
In front of some 40,122 fans at the Orlando Citrus Bowl, Orlando City Soccer recorded its first MLS home win against Major League Soccer Cup Champions LA Galaxy.
Going into the game fans were on a knife edge hoping to see a home victory for the first time. None of them would have expected that the Lions would destroy LA by four goals and the truth be told, the scoreline could have been far greater.
Featuring a lineup that included Tally Hall (pictured above) in the starting XI and Martin Paterson in the 18-man roster, Orlando City took an early lead when Eric Avila headed home Brek Shea’s assist in the 12th minute. It was a superbly worked goal as the clubs Brazilian superstar Kaká played a lovely ball in behind the full back for Rafael Ramos to run onto. Ramos weighted his cross perfectly to the head of Shea who nodded it back to Avila to head home. It was Avila’s first goal in 42 MLS games and his finish gave Orlando the lead for the first time at home this season. A welcome change.
Orlando might have extended their lead in the 26th minute as a mix up in the Galaxy defence saw Cyle Larin (pictured above) stride towards goal but his chip over the keeper went high over the cross bar. The number one MLS Superdraft striker was to make amends for his earlier miss in the 34th minute as he collected the ball in central midfield from Shea. Larin fed a nice ball out to Kaká who promptly fed it back and the striker made no mistake from 6 yards to give Orlando a 2-0 lead and his fourth goal of the campaign.
Orlando then had another chance to extend their lead in the 44th minute as Shea (pictured above) found his way past the defence and should have done much better than a weak effort on goal that Jaime Penedo in the Galaxy goal comfortably saved.
The Galaxy then created their best opportunity of the half right on half time as a Gyasi Zardes volleyed over the bar from a Stefan Ishizaki cross. It was a disappointing half for LA whose only other chance was a 32nd minute curled shot wide of the post by Ishizaki (pictured above).
Half Time : Orlando City 2 LA Galaxy 0
Very often in football (soccer) a teams dominance in one half is interrupted by the half time break but this game would prove to be the exception as Orlando continued to pound on the LA defence. Just two minutes after the break, a Luke Boden corner was met by the head of Seb Hines but Penedo managed to make a fine save down amongst the feet of Orlando’s attack.
The next goal arrived in the 54th minute as Cristian Higuita intercepted a sloppy ball by LA in midfield and he released Kaká down the left hand side. The forward continued his run deep into the penalty box before being brought down by Penedo. Kaká himself stepped up to make it 3-0 with a finish marginally to the left hand side of the center of the goal.
Kaká then earned himself a yellow card for his celebration. In essence, it was a touch of class from the Brazilian, as he ran over to the sidelines as he put on a Kevin Molino shirt. Molino had early in the week undergone surgery for a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
Nine minutes later Orlando might have added a fourth as Darwin Ceren crashed a ferocious shot against the crossbar after LA again failed to clear the ball properly Three minutes later, in the 66th minute, Higuita made a good run down the right wing and Larin just failed to convert as he was dashing in.
The fourth goal did eventually come in the 73rd minute as another loose ball fell to Ceren and his shot took a deflection off Tommy Meyer to leave Penedo helpless.
Orlando Head Coack Adrian Heath then decided to ring the changes as he brought on Carlos Rivas for Larin in the 77th minute and shortly afterward, Martin Paterson was also introduced for his first MLS game of the season.
With the crowd chanting “We want five”, Orlando almost delivered in the 88th minute as Paterson ran on to another well-placed ball from Kaká. The forward played it to the near post but Rivas Rivas who was unable to connect properly and the final opportunity was squandered.
Full Time: Orlando City 4 LA Galaxy 0
After the game Heath said: “I’m delighted for everybody connected with the Club, especially the supporters who have been incredible. I’m really pleased for the players because they’ve been working so hard. Overall, it’s been a pleasing day for everybody, for my staff, and more importantly the supporters. The most important thing for us is to continue to do what is right. We spoke all week about trying to play more aggressively. “
The win was the largest margin of victory by an expansion team over a defending MLS champion in MLS history, and marked the second highest attended game for the Lions. Orlando City has averaged 37,446 fans per home game this season, a record for the first six stand-alone MLS home games for an expansion team.
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