https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYmXxYTa8q0
Saturday was a struggle for Orlando City. In every way.
The offense looked gassed from three games in eight days and unable to connect and build pressure. The defense looked scrambled, trying to piece itself together. The pressure built as Philadelphia tried to attack. The Lions needed every save from Tally Hall, and even that was not enough.
Sure, Orlando City was immediately put on its back heel with Conner Donovan facing an injury in the game’s opening minutes. All of a sudden, the team’s backup emergency plan in central defense was gone and the team had to scramble, relying on rookie Tommy Redding to fill the spot.
He honestly did the best he could, coming up with a huge save late in the game when Hall could not clear the box or hold onto a shot. The Union looked like they would be the team to break the scoreless tie.
As they have done for most of the season, Orlando City’s defense found a way to step up.
At this juncture of the season, everyone is facing injuries. But for the Lions, getting back into the Playoff race is about finding consistency in their lineup.
Orlando City was unafraid to jump into the transfer market to shore up their roster. But the revolving door of players — and the thinness in defense — certainly has taken its toll. Orlando City is relying on several new faces to integrate and jump in quickly — Donovan and Redding among them. Redding was fresh off a plane from Wilmington where his loan was cut short because of Orlando City’s depth issues.
Much of the July transfer window was spent trying to shore up a defense that has frankly struggled.
Orlando City has given up 37 goals this season, sixth among the 10 teams in the Eastern Conference. The defense has stood up enough to give the team a chance.
The initial starting back line for Orlando City featured Rafael Ramos, Brek Shea, Aurelian Collin and Seb Hines. Ramos is currently out with a thigh strain. Shea is currently out with a sports hernia. Hines has underperformed as the Lions look for a suitable replacement next to Collin.
Add in more turmoil as Orlando City used Sean St. Ledger to fill that void, but he has since been released for a violation of team rules.
Orlando City has gone to using Luke Boden at left back with Shea moving into the midfield before his injury. Boden has been solid, but is not nearly the threat moving forward due to his lack of speed on the outside. While he can be precise with his free kicks and services, he is not beating anyone on the wing like Shea. His inconsistent deliveries killed many attacks against the Union.
Newcomer Corey Ashe has injected some life. He has already recorded a couple assists in an Orlando City jersey since arriving.
Redding and Donovan present other options for Orlando City at defense. But they are still unproven and integrating into the team. Tyler Turner is more effective on the outside too.
Orlando City then is left trying to piece together their defense each week. It is a difficult problem for Adrian Heath to solve. The failure to firm up the starters in the central defense could end up being the story of the season and why Orlando City fails to make the playoffs.
The Lions do not seem afraid to attack things in the transfer market. They will surely do so once the season ends. They have youth in the back line too. There are players there who need to develop — Donovan, Redding, Ramos and Turner are all relatively young professional players.
These important positions though have been inconsistent. It has left Orlando City scrambling. And in a Playoff race, that is not a good thing.
Solar Bears acquire Eric Faille
The Orlando Solar Bears acquired the ECHL rights to forward Eric Faille from the Fort Wayne Komets on Tuesday.
Faille scored 27 goals and 27 assists with the Komets last season and was the ECHL’s Rookie of the Month in April.
It is not really expected Faille will make it to the Solar Bears though. In all likelihood, the young forward is getting a bump up to the AHL to play with the Toronto Marlies, an affiliate with the Solar Bears. Should they send him to the ECHL, the Solar Bears would retain the youngsters rights.
Faille played 45 games at the ECHL level with the Komets last year, but also spent 21 games with the Texas Stars in the AHL. He scored two goals and added four assists.
The now-26-year-old right wing still has some growing to do. He could spend another year bouncing between the ECHL and the AHL.
As hockey training camps get ready to open, the Orlando Solar Bears will likely be keeping an eye on who makes it and misses it with the Marlies as they prepare for their fourth season back at the Amway Center.
[…] Orlando City is still piecing together its defense and this is certainly a major set back for the Lions. They will be relying on newcomers and players acquired in the July transfer window as they try to make the Playoffs. […]