Adrian Winter got the ball on the right side about 20 yards from the goal and let it rip.
That was all the fans that attended Orlando City’s annual open practice at the Orlando Citrus Bowl on Tuesday needed to see. Just one go in the back of the net.
Winter’s crack was an impressive one. Not quite a gollazzo — the team was scrimmaging on a truncated field and did not appear to be going that hard — but more than enough to send everyone home happy (if the long lines for the on-field autograph session did not).
For a first public look at the team (unless you went to the game against East Florida State last weekend), it was a good showing for several of the key players and some of the newcomers.
Orlando City worked largely on passing within space, doing the long-favored keep-away game almost every soccer team uses during warmups and quick passing drills on the attack before beginning a short scrimmage.
Kaka was largely lax and had a few good moments on the ball, but nothing special. Cyle Larin put himself in dangerous positions. And Kevin Molino was back on the Citrus Bowl field after tearing his ACL last year.
#OrlandoCity wrapping up its open practice pic.twitter.com/XSkexh8Gks
— Orlando Sports Daily (@orlsportsdaily) February 10, 2016
There was not a lot to break down from the practice, but a few things were worth noting.
The rookies look comfortable
Maybe it was the pace of the game or how the defenses were split, but Richie Laryea and Hadji Berry did not look like rookies on the pitch tonight. The two first round selections from the MLS SuperDraft looked fairly comfortable during the team’s short scrimmage.
Berry especially was active on the ball and getting it forward, keeping the defense off him and advancing it into dangerous areas.
It looked like he was playing the spot usually occupied by Kevin Molino (playing for the other team in the scrimmage), so it would seem he has a good place in the lineup for now.
What is more important at this stage in their development is that they look like they belong on the field. Right now, they almost certainly do.
Kevin Molino is getting up to speed
Kevin Molino was definitely not playing at full speed, but he looked fairly comfortable and active during the team’s scrimmage. Considering he is coming off the torn ACL the knocked him out of the second half of the season, just seeing him on the field again is great. Seeing him hold his own this quickly is even better.
Molino was playing with Kaka, who was not playing particularly intensely although still very good when he had the ball, but was very active tracking the ball and getting around the pitch. Defensively, especially, Molino was active.
Again, having Molino out on the field is an incredibly good sign for the team. They will undoubtedly be better for it.
Where will the scoring come from
Orlando City will get plenty of pressure. With Kaka, Cyle Larin, Kevin Molino and Brek Shea, there are plenty of players who create offensive pressure. Even with several of those players split, there were lots of offensive opportunities.
The question, as it was last year, is who will score?
Larin did most of the scoring last year and can still finish. But the Lions have to be better at finishing opportunities to score. That will be a question throughout the season.
Adrian Winter scored the only goal of the scrimmage with a bit of class:
Adrian Winter finishing well! ⚽? pic.twitter.com/86PXWPXEwr
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) February 10, 2016
That is an encouraging sign. Winter was solid on the wing and then showed off some dribbling moves in jest before Aurelian Collin stonewalled him.
That was all fun and games. As was most of the practice before the autograph session begins.
Orlando City is next in action Saturday night in Jacksonville against the Jacksonville Armada.
