It’s not often that all three of a team’s Designated Players score in the same game, but against West Bromwich Albion, all three of Orlando City’s did just that. And they all did it spectacular fashion.
Kaká got the scoring going for Orlando City in stoppage time of the first half. He took a ball from midfield and sprinted all the way to West Brom’s box, weaving through several defenders on his way, before striking it home.
“Kaká got a great goal that was reminiscent of 1997 [in] Milan,” said head coach Adrian Heath after the game. “It was like a cameo from ten years ago when you used to see him burst from the middle of the park, pass people, and put it in the bottom corner.”
That brought the Lions even at halftime and was the perfect send-off for their captain. Pedro Ribeiro came on for his countryman and picked up right where he left off.
Ribeiro filled in for Kaká fantastically, setting up his teammates and putting the ball into space all night. His efforts finally paid off in the 86th minute when Bryan Róchez scored his first goal for Orlando City since his header against Ponte Preta on May 2.
“To get the goal late on that he got late on was terrific. I thought it was a really good goal. Pedro did well to keep it in, drove into the penalty area, committing people, and slid a great ball in and it was a really good finish.”
Róchez completed the trifecta, but Carlos Rivas’ goal was arguably the best of the bunch. After a rough first half, Rivas lined up in the to take a free kick 48th minute from 30 yards and blasted a ball into the top corner to put his team ahead. It was a superb strike that rivaled his goal against Columbus.
“Great free kick from Carlos. Ricky’s was a great goal and theirs was a delection. There’s been a lot of positives tonight,” said Heath after the game with a smile.
