It is not that Orlando City is having trouble getting shots off. It is not that Orlando City is having trouble dominating possessions or controlling the pace of games. It is not that Orlando City is not capable of putting the ball into the net.
Right now, it just is not perfect. And when things are not perfect, struggles persist.
And Orlando City is struggling.
The crowd at the Orlando Citrus Bowl was energized for another stellar offensive performance after last week’s 5-2 victory over Columbus Crew, ready to ignore a midweek clunker against Toronto FC blaming it on Kaka’s absence. Yet Saturday’s 0-0 draw against Philadelphia Union resembled Wednesday’s stinker.
The midfield struggled to connect with the offense and create scoring opportunities. The defense struggled to contain runs into the box and recover on counterattacks. The Union created their chances but could not convert, with Tally Hall making four saves in the process, more than a few in the final 15 minutes.
This was not a cohesive effort from the Lions throughout the game. They dominated possession in the first half and through much of the game, but did not ever really threaten the Union’s defense. Cyle Larin was aggressive making runs and trying to hold up play in the attacking third, but the next pass was not there.
Luke Boden was sluggish attacking down the left side, unable to take on a defender one on one or put in precise crosses into the box.
Orlando City’s typical attacking methods just were not working.
Some of that certainly could be blamed on the third game in eight days for Orlando City. But some fresh faces — Conner Donovan’s injury certainly hampered the defense but the debut of Adrian Winter in the second half sparked some offensive movement — helped brighten some of the day and foreshadow some future success, perhaps.
While Orlando City ended up getting its fair share of shots, the aggression and connection was not there. Orlando City put up numbers, but never really threatened or sustained a threat.
It was the Union who looked ready to break through before the final whistle blew, allowing Orlando City to split the points.
This has not been typical for Orlando City of late, but every point matters as the team tries to make a Playoff push.
Against the last-place Union, that was two points left on the board. Fatigue played its factor, but the Lions continue to have some trouble getting from possession to attack to threat outside of using Larin and Kaka (who was oddly quiet throughout the game for the most part, unwilling to take shots as they opened, leading others to defer back to him frustratingly).
A week off before a cross-country trip may be just what the doctor ordered.
Orlando Predators sweep War on I-4
As Orlando City fans made their way back downtown not sure what to think of their 0-0 tie, Orlando Predators fans got the chance to celebrate.
The Predators closed their regular season with a 59-40 win over the archrival Tampa Bay Storm at Amway Center on Saturday.
Larry Brackins scored four touchdowns, including three receiving touchdowns, to lead the Predators to the major victory. Greg Carr had 10 receptions for 109 yards and two touchdowns.
The Predators dominated in all phases, taking an early 14-0 lead and winning the rest of the day, keeping the Storm at bay.
“We had to fight. We had to play really hard,” head coach Rob Keefe said immediately following the game to ArenaFootball.com. “The whole thing was we went into it talking about finishing. I was glad the guys finished. We proved a point by finishing with 12 wins this season. We wanted to have a win streak of five, instead of a losing streak of one, going into the playoffs. So, this is a big win. Momentum is huge in professional sports.”
The Predators are rolling now heading into their Playoff matchup next Saturday at Amway Center against the Jacksonville Sharks, whom the Predators defeated last week at Amway Center.
