For the first time in Orlando City’s brief MLS history — possibly even their USL-Pro history too — questions are running deep to the team’s core.
Another road thrashing where the offense looked disconnected and lifeless. Another group of questionable roster decisions and substitutions. Another disappointing decision from a young player resulting in a red card, pushing the Lions behind the 8-ball further and further.
Seattle was clinical, awakening their offense after being dormant for so long. It was clinical how they controlled and broke down Orlando City’s defense in a 4-0 win at CenturyLink Field.
The Sounders’ first goal was a series of quick passes that broke Orlando City’s defense right down the middle and ended with Obafemi Martins striking past Tally Hall from close range. It was the first of his two goals in his first game back in several weeks.
Martins added one more as Orlando City failed to clear the ball, turning it over in the team’s defensive third and giving Martins a clear path to chip it past the final defender and then past Hall.
He could have had a hat trick if Hall had not saved his penalty kick in the first half.
The offensive clinic from the Sounders was complete with them holding 55.1 percent of the possession and outshooting the Lions 21-5. Orlando City failed to get a shot on target. Even their five shots did not seem to threaten the Sounders much at all.
The Lions once again could not get a rhythm offensively. Kaka was not receiving the ball, and when he did Seattle muscled him off the ball. The Sounders frustrated the Lions’ superstar and it stymied the offense completely.
Seattle just kept attacking, taking advantage of the inexperience of youngster Tyler Turner, who was gone in the first half after picking up two yellow cards. Orlando City conceded eight corner kicks. They were thoroughly outplayed.
It was the culmination of several weeks’ worth of frustration and poor play from the Lions. If there was ever a wakeup call for this team as they struggle to stay in the Eastern Conference playoff race. With another loss — and a deep goal differential — the road to get to the playoffs is even steeper.
All this with Kaka likely to miss at least one game during the September international window.
Orlando City appears to be regressing as the season moves on. The reinforcements from the July transfer window are still getting comfortable in their new surroundings and the lack of connection is clear.
All the struggles from the last two months have brought serious questions to Orlando City for truly the first time in their organization’s history. Nothing is likely to be addressed more fully until the end of the season, but it is clear something has to change.
A national television drubbing certainly rings more alarm bells. At least the ones that were not ringing before.
Another lifeless, disconnected performance is going to bring an end to the season more quickly. At least it probably will not get uglier than this one.
