Orlando City desperately needed a win to stay in the Playoff race. Bryan Rochez’s late goal seems to have turned the tide and momentum in their favor.
That spark and glimmer in Orlando City appears to be returning. The mid-season malaise that has put the Lions on the brink of Playoff elimination appears to be passing, perhaps too late. Orlando City is going to go down swinging though.
And some refreshed energy has Orlando City back to playing with energy and opportunity.
The goals may not have come as quickly and numerous as they did last week against Sporting Kansas City. It eventually came though in the 87th minute, securing a huge momentum-building three points in Chicago.
Rafael Ramos sent a long ball to the attacking third. Orlando City lost the ball but quickly won it back and went on the attack. Brek Shea took the ball on the right side of the box and sent it in, finding Darwin Ceren for a quick touch, leaving the ball perfectly for Bryan Rochez to finish the deal and bury the shot for the game’s only goal.
All three of Orlando City’s subs contributed on the play and a hard-fought game that seemed destined for a tie had a result as Orlando City defeated Chicago Fire 1-0 at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Ill. on Saturday.
This proved to be an evenly matched game as both teams were desperate to get the win as their playoff lives hung in the balance. Each team had growing opportunities that required big saves from goalkeepers Jon Busch of Chicago and Tally Hall of Orlando.
The Fire got 14 shots with five on goal. Their best opportunity came in the first half when a shot beat Hall and missed just off the cross bar.
From there, Orlando City seemed to tidy things up. They always seemed to be in place to clear the ball when Chicago got into the attacking third. Christian Higuita was especially good at breaking up play and turning the defense into counterattack.
The second half truly belonged to Orlando City in many ways.
The Lions though still needed help with their attack. They found Cyle Larin a few times, but he continued to struggle to finish or hold up play to allow the attack to catch up. He was still extremely dangerous and kept Chicago’s defense occupied.
The substitutions of Shea, Ceren and Rochez truly began to turn the tide. Their moment of brilliance was the breakthrough the team needed. Otherwise it would have truly been a game about the goalkeepers.
And for three points, Orlando City desperately needed that breakthrough. On points, the Lions are a point out of the Playoffs after the Impact’s win earlier in the day. Orlando City needed the win just to keep pace considering Montreal has several games in hand still.
Momentum though clearly seems to be swinging back in Orlando City’s favor.
