Orlando City records first MLS win with defeat of Houston
Orlando City Soccer Club won its first-ever game as a Major League Soccer (MLS) club as they beat Houston Dynamo at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston.
After 73 minutes of scoreless action, second half substitute Pedro Ribeiro scored the decisive goal as he applied the finishing touch after an error by Houston goalkeeper Tyler Deric. Deric took a heavy touch and the oncoming Brazilian striker closed the keeper down enough to block his clearance. The ball took an almighty bounce and Riberio was always the favorite to nod home as the keeper desperately tried to foul him.
The game started brightly for Orlando as Kevin Molino dragged an effort wide in the 2nd minute and Carlos Rivas hit a powerful left foot effort just over the bar in the 15th minute (pictured above). Houston then created their first chance of the game when veteran midfielder Brad Davis saw a strong shot deflected wide by Rafael Ramos for a corner.
Moments before the halftime whistle, Molino was brought down after weaving past two Dynamo defenders just outside the 18-yard-box. Kaká stepped up and his curling effort into the top corner brought a fine save from Deric who managed to make a superb finger-tip save to push the ball wide.
Half Time : 0-0
The second half saw more of the same from Orlando as Molino and Kaká combined well to set up the influential Lewis Neal, who was lurking on the edge of the box. Neal’s effort skipped wide of the far post.
The Lions continued to press and in the 64th minute when Kaká charged down the left side, flicking the ball over a sliding Dynamo defender, before bursting into the box. With a tough angle at the near post, City’s Brazilian play-maker attempted to slot it through Deric’s legs, but the goalkeeper did well to make the save.
The goal then arrived in the 74th minute and it was one that would go down in Orlando City history as being the first MLS away goal. Houston pushed for an equalizer as Orlando Head Coach Adrian Heath bolstered his defense options by substituting Kaká with midfielder Eric Avila with ten minutes to go.
After three minutes of stoppage time, the referee blew the final whistle, resulting in Orlando’s first win in MLS.
“I thought tonight we started to play the football the way we can, and some of our play at times was excellent,” said Head Coach Adrian Heath. “I didn’t think the goal was going to come but eventually it did. It wasn’t the greatest goal or the prettiest he’s (Ribeiro) scored, but I can honestly say it’s probably one of the most important for us.”
Orlando’s next match is against the Vancouver Whitecaps FC at the Orlando Citrus Bowl on March 21 at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Lineups/Substitutions:
Orlando City SC – GK Donovan Ricketts, D Rafael Ramos, Sean St. Ledger, Seb Hines, Brek Shea, M Kevin Molino, Darwin Cerén, Kaká (Eric Avila 81’), Amobi Okugo, Lewis Neal, F Carlos Rivas (Pedro Ribeiro 54’)
Houston Dynamo – GK Tyler Deric, D Kofie Sarkodie, David Horst, Jermaine Taylor, DeMarcus Beasley, M Leonel Miranda (Will Bruin 52’), Ricardo Clark, Luis Garrido, Brad Davis, F Boniek Garcia, Giles Barnes
Attendance: 22,407
Statistics:
Shots:
ORL – 5
HOU – 4
Fouls:
ORL – 13
HOU – 13
Offside:
ORL – 1
HOU – 0
Corners:
ORL – 3
HOU – 6
Saves:
ORL – 0
HOU – 3
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