ORLANDO, Fla. (October 23, 2016) – Orlando City SC (9-11-14, 41 points) slammed D.C. United (11-10-13, 46 points) 4-2 in dominant fashion in its last match at Camping World Stadium. Kevin Molino and Cristian Higuita each had a goal and an assist as the Lions finished off the regular season one point shy of the playoffs for the second-consecutive season.
“I’m obviously very pleased with the performance. The players gave us everything that they could. My message to the team is that when they are fully committed, they can be very good.” Lions Head Coach Jason Kreis said. “From my point of view, the players deserve thanks for what they give. I just wanted to let them know that I am very appreciative for what they’ve done and what they’ve given over the short time that we’ve been together. It means something to me and I’ll always remember it.”
Orlando City got off to a fast start and beat D.C. goalkeeper Travis Worra just 13 minutes into the match when Kaká floated a ball to Rafael Ramos, who made his second consecutive start. The Portuguese right back drove a low cross in for Molino who tapped home his 11th goal of the season.
City struck again in the 21st minute when Molino found Kaká deep in the box. The Brazilian superstar dribbled at Worra and lifted a sweet little flick perfectly inside the far corner to make it 2-0.
Higuita, the Lions’ stalwart defensive midfielder, notched his first goal of 2016 and his second in MLS in the 50th minute when Kaká found him on the right flank. The Colombian ripped a right-footed shot at the far post to make it 3-1 and give Kaká his team-leading ninth assist of the season.
Then in the 89th minute, Higuita found Júlio Baptista, who entered the match less than 15 minutes earlier, and “The Beast” powered a shot through Worra and into the back of the net. It was Baptista’s sixth goal of the season and came just after his spectacular bicycle kick was blocked on its way to goal.
Carlos Rivas made his second consecutive start and was a force up top. The Colombian Designated Player delivered dangerous crosses from the left wing and took several strong shots.
The match was the Lions’ last at Camping World Stadium, where the Lions played their 2011-2013 United Soccer League (USL) seasons and its 2015 MLS season. Over those seasons, City captured two regular season titles and two USL Pro Championships with the backing of the passionate home supporters. City hosted 1,090,907 fans at Camping World Stadium in two seasons in MLS. Orlando City and Orlando Pride of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) will move into the Club’s brand new downtown stadium in 2017.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS:
First Half
9’ Kevin Molino makes a great hustle play to win the ball back in the attacking third before working it to Matías Pérez García, who strikes a left-footed shot off D.C. goalkeeper Travis Worra’s hands and Molino almost heads in the rebound.
13’ The Lions take the lead after Kaká lofts a beautiful through ball into Rafael Ramos, who delivers a low cross to Molino for the tap-in.
20’ Ramos delivers a low cross in the box but D.C. clears the danger.
21’ City doubles its lead when Kaká receives a pass from Molino and dribbles down the left flank and into the box before flicking it past Worra perfectly into the bottom corner.
30’ Molino plays a through ball wide to Ramos who cuts back and fires a left-footed strike just wide of the near post.
33’ Rivas whips in a low cross to Molino who flicks his header inches away from the back post.
37’ The Lions continue their impressive attack. Kaká shows off his skills as he evades two defenders and lays off a pass to Molino who fires his shot high.
43’ Alvaro Saborio taps in a pass to put D.C. on the board.
45 (+2)’ After two minutes of added time, the referee ends the first half. Orlando City 2, D.C. United 1.
Second Half
50’ The Lions add another goal after Higuita gains possession and dribbles into the box before firing a powerful strike to the far post.
56’ Rafael Ramos does excellent work to get past his defender to find space in the corner and whips in a ball to Kevin Molino, who regains possession and fires a shot off the far post.
57’ Joe Bendik does well to punch an awkward ball out of the box.
61’ A swift combination between Rivas and Molino leads to a Kaká shot that is blocked.
62’ Molino plays Kaká a through ball inside the box but the captain is unable to find Molino again inside the six.
65’ The Lions almost catch D.C. United on the counter but Pérez García’s pass is just wide of Kaká’s path.
68’ Molino plays a clever flick to lead Rivas alone with Worra but Rivas is unable to get around him.
69’ Cyle Larin enters the match in place of Pérez García.
75’ Júlio “The Beast” Baptista enters the match in place of Carlos Rivas.
78’ Kennedy Igboananike scores with a powerful left-footed finish.
80’ Kaká wins a corner kick after attacking the left wing and crossing to Larin inside the box.
81’ Kevin Alston enters the match in place of Rafael Ramos.
83’ Baptista nearly connects on a bicycle kick after a Lions corner.
85’ The Beast nearly finds the near post from a Kaka through ball but his strike is just wide.
89’ Higuita finds Baptista at the top of the box and the Beast fires a right-footed strike past Worra to extend the lead.
90 (+2)’ After two minutes of added time, the referee ends the match. Orlando City 4, D.C. United 1.
Scoring Summary:
ORL - Kevin Molino (Rafael Ramos) 13’
ORL - Kaká (Kevin Molino) 21’
DC - Alvaro Saborio (Julian Buescher) 43’
ORL - Cristian Higuita (Kaká) 50’
DC - Kennedy Igboananike (Julian Buescher) 78’
ORL - Júlio Baptista (Cristian Higuita) 89’
Misconduct Summary:
None.
Lineups/Substitutions:
Orlando City SC - GK Joe Bendik, D Mikey Ambrose, José Aja, Seb Hines, Rafael Ramos (Kevin Alston 81’), M Cristian Higuita, Antonio Nocerino, Kaká, Matías Pérez García (Cyle Larin 69’), Kevin Molino, F Carlos Rivas (Júlio Baptista 75’)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Earl Edwards Jr., D Tommy Redding, Luke Boden, Servando Carrasco
D.C. United - GK Travis Worra, D Sean Franklin (Marcelo Sarvas 46’), Luke Mishu, Kofi Opare, Jalen Robinson, M Julian Buescher, Collin Martin, Lamar Neagle, Rob Vincent (Jared Jeffery 72’), F Kennedy Igboananike, Alhaji Kamara (Alvaro Saborio 40’)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Bill Hamid, D Steve Birnbaum, M Nick DeLeon, Lloyd Sam
Details of the Game:
Time: 4 p.m. ET
Weather: Clear
Date: October 23, 2016
Attendance: 30,022
Stats:
Possession:
ORL - 59.8 %
DC - 40.2 %
Shots:
ORL - 18
DC - 10
Saves:
ORL - 1
DC - 1
Fouls:
ORL - 16
DC - 10
Corners:
ORL - 4
DC - 1
