Brek Shea committed a foul. There is no way around it. He pushed someone from behind and earned a whistle. A clear found and a good call as Orlando City tried desperately to send a ball over the top and create some form of offense trailing 2-0 on the road.
Shea, the team captain with Kaka still nursing a hamstring injury, threw his hands up in frustration. It was not clear if he threw them up for the call or the poor service into the attack. The referee took it against him and issued a yellow card.
And just like that Orlando City would be shorthanded again its future. With yellow-card accumulation and continued frustration mounting, Shea will miss this weekend’s game against the Vancouver Whitecaps.
Frustration just mounts. And mounts. And mounts.
Ever since Orlando City fired Adrian Heath last week. Maybe even before. The Lions are not the same team firing on all cylinders or at least a few cylinders.
After scoring a goal in every game leading into the July 4 game against FC Dallas, Orlando City is now scoreless in three straight games. And Wednesday’s 2-0 loss to New York Red Bulls was another moment of frustration, just building on itself again and again.
The two goals the Lions conceded were both given up through silly fouls. The kind of frustration fouls given up by a team still a bit disorganized and not quite on the same page. A corner kick in the first half that the team failed to clear, falling into the path of a streaking Connor Lade in the 39th minute. A poor foul given up right outside the box turned into a Felipe free kick goal.
At least Orlando City was not giving up goals against the run of play. But that is a little solace. The result is still 2-0 based on Orlando City’s own struggles and difficulties.
There were plenty of moments of clarity on defense. Seb Hines slid in to save a sure goal and was nearly called for a hand ball when the ball hit him directly in the mouth. Joe Bendik stood on his head for several saves.
Orlando City had several moments going forward too. But many of them came too late. The Lions were lethargic coming out of the locker room and quickly conceded the second goal that became the team’s undoing.
Orlando City brought on Cyle Larin and then Julio Baptista off the bench to solve the problem, unable to spring Carlos Rivas over the top and using his speed alone up top. Orlando City manager Bobby Murphy made a poor starting lineup, hoping to steal some rest for Larin with another game this Saturday in Vancouver (across the country, no less). That backfired with the team struggling to put pressure on New York.
A lot of Orlando’s problems are its own right now. The team is facing an identity crisis both on the pitch and on the bench. It is clear watching the team on the pitch that it is facing this crisis too. Things are not all good in the Orlando City camp.
And another defeat only heightens the need for clarity and change as the Lions fall further in the standings and the team struggles on the pitch.
Guy Dupuy wins Orlando slam Dunk Contest
Aaron Gordon may no longer be the king of the dunk in Orlando.
Brisk Iced Tea hosted the City Slam Championship at the Amway Center on Saturday and featured some of the best dunkers in the country with the Orlando Magic’s Elfrid Payton serving as a judge. And some of these dunks were . . . they would make Gordon jealous.
Prepare for lift-off! @GuyDupuy1 showing everyone how it's done here at the #CitySLAM World Championship pic.twitter.com/tYF94CyJLD
— City Slam Hoops (@CitySlamHoops) July 9, 2016
https://www.instagram.com/p/BHuS1f9jY29/
Orlando Predators win weekly Arena Football League awards
The Orlando Predators constantly seem to be raking in some type of award. The team has the best record in the league and seem on track to be the favorite to win the Arena Bowl.
Last week’s win over the Portland Steel saw the Predators return to their dominant ways once again as the team is taking the step up and hitting their peak entering the final weeks of the season. This week’s league awards are certainly a sign of that.
Paul Stephens won the league’s defensive player of the week award for his play against Portland. He had five tackles, two pass breakups and an interception to help the Predators to the 47-41 win.
Greg Carr also won the catch of the week for a falling back touchdown in the end zone in the second quarter for a 31-yard score. It was an incredible catch where he beat the cornerback to the deep ball and hauled it in for the score.
Orlando plays the second-place Arizona Rattlers on Monday in a big game between the two teams.
