One of the biggest signs of the Lions’ maturation through the first half of the season has been the team’s increased ability to put together full 90-minute performances. It was something with which City struggled early on, but where points were once being given away, they’re now being deservedly earned.
The Lions’ performance at Chicago – when they twice came back from one-goal deficits and secured three points with two goals after the 80th minute – proved they turned a corner. Since then, the team has picked up seven of 12 possible points and lost just once in their last ten games.
This week at training, Adrian Heath pointed out one key to success that his team must possess if they are to continue their recent run on Saturday: concentration.
“[FC Dallas has] good players and players that can hurt you. As I said earlier on in the week, I think the most important word for us tomorrow is ‘concentration’ – certainly when we have the ball,” he said on Friday.
Match Preview: Orlando City Looks To Keep Unbeaten Streak At Home Alive
Where typically the key is to be fully locked-in on defense, FC Dallas’ weapons in Fabián Castillo and Mauro Díaz heighten the need for the Lions to focus on the ball, and runners, so they aren’t vulnerable to Dallas’ counterattack.
“They’re certainly players that we’ve got to keep under wraps,” said Lewis Neal of Castillo and Díaz. “We’ve got to make sure we look after the ball so we don’t give them a chance to counter because it’s going to be our cheap turnovers that give them the chance.”
Adrian Heath’s system is one that pushes players forward and opens up space, but it can also turn offensive turnovers into opportunities for the opposition. Limiting those giveaways will go a long way in stopping the Dallas duo that have combined for six points in their last three games (Díaz: one goal, two assists; Castillo: three goals).
“He’s without a doubt probably the most dynamic player in the league,” said Heath when asked about Castillo. That’s been his buzzword for Castillo and Díaz all week, and it’s the Lions’ job on Saturday to keep them at bay.
How Heath decides to go about doing that, however, will not be known until Saturday night minutes before kick-off. With the absences of Kaká, Brek Shea, Darwin Cerén, and Cyle Larin, the Gaffer has kept his plans for the team’s lineup and formation close to his vest. When asked throughout the week about his potential strategy, Heath has offered zero clues, instead insisting that he he wants to “sleep on it.”
Thankfully for Orlando, FC Dallas is also missing a few players. Blas Perez (Panama), Tesho Akindele (Canada), and Kyle Bekker (Canada) are all playing in the CONCACAF Gold Cup, as are Moises Hernandez (Guatemala) and Je-Vaughn Watson (Jamaica).
“I’m fully aware that we have a very big week coming up for us. If we could take six points in the next two home games, I think it would be huge for us,” said Heath. “This is probably the most important week of the season for us. [It] would’ve been great to have everybody fit but unfortunately we haven’t, so we’ll just have to get on with it. I’ve got every confidence in the group.”
