COLUMBUS – April 18, 2015 – After being reduced to 10 men in the first half, Orlando City Soccer Club (2-3-2, 8 points) suffered its first away loss on Saturday night in a 3-0 defeat to Columbus Crew SC (2-2-2, 8 points).
“I think the first ten minutes we started poorly, giving them a few opportunities. But, for the next 30 minutes of the first half, I thought we played some really good stuff and had one or two chances of our own,” said head coach Adrian Heath. “Small margins make the difference in games, and we haven’t done well with the small things tonight. But credit to them (Columbus), they’re a really good team. I’ve said before that they’ll be one of the best teams in this conference, and nothing tonight has made me change my mind.”
In the first half, Orlando maintained its strong play in the road so far in 2015, creating several chances throughout the first 30 minutes to put Crew SC under pressure.
However, the game took a significant turn with less than 15 minutes remaining in the first ‘45 when Crew SC Argentinian Designated Player Federico Higuain tucked away a cross from Ethan Finlay, who pounced on Ramos’ errant pass in the box.
Ramos’ frustration continued shortly afterward, when the 20-year-old defender was sent off for a high challenge deep inside Columbus’ half. Losing the young Portuguese defender, who has been a key player for City in his first six Major League Soccer (MLS) matches, would prove to be a costly blow for the Lions.
Nevertheless, City continued to battle for an equalizer - outshooting the home side 7-6 through the first 45 minutes. However, Crew SC managed to double their lead early in the second half when Meram powered the ball into the roof of the net, after a giveaway by the Lions inside the area.
In the 59th minute, Crew SC striker Kei Kamara ran onto Higuain’s ball over the Orlando backline and lobbed goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts who was forced to charge off his line in an attempt to clear the danger.
Heath made several changes to urge his team to fight back into the match, bringing on Carlos Rivas and Eric Avila in the second half, but Columbus’ one-man advantage proved to be the deciding factor.
Notes:
· The loss moved Orlando into fourth place in the Eastern Conference.
· Tonight’s match marks only the second time Orlando City has conceded more than one goal, previously drawing the Montreal Impact 2-2 at Olympic Stadium
First Half:
2’ Kaká found Molino bursting down the right side. The midfielder crossed the ball to the back post for Cyle Larin, but the Crew SC defense did well to cut it out.
4’ Kei Kamara played a good through ball to Finlay, but Collin’s sliding challenge prevented him from getting a shot off.
8’ Finlay had a another quality chance after a menacing run in the box. However, the midfielder’s final effort sailed over the crossbar.
15’ Larin came close to scoring his second goal in the 15th minute, pouncing on Molino’s blocked header. The rookie’s volley was deflected wide.
23’ Midway through the first half, Orlando started to gain possession in the match, leading to a solid chance for Collin on Kaká’s corner. The Frenchman connected with the out-swinging cross but goalkeeper Steve Clark was able to make the save.
31’ Columbus moved ahead first with less than 15 minutes remaining in the first half, after a giveaway from the Orlando defense in their own box. Finlay received the loose ball and played it across to Federico Higuain for his first goal of the season.
33’ Matters became worse for Orlando two minutes later when Ramos was sent off for a high challenge, reducing City to ten men. As a result, head coach Adrian Heath brought on defender Tyler Turner for Larin.
39’ Nevertheless, Orlando continued to search for an equalizer. Brek Shea floated a high cross to the back post for Kevin Molino, whose header bounced wide of the target.
45’ Good combination play from Higuita and Kaká on the edge of the area led to a prime chance for Molino, who forced Clark to make a difficult save with a low effort.
45’ (+2) After two minutes of stoppage time, the referee blew the halftime whistle - resulting in a 1-0 lead for the home team through the opening half. The 10-man Orlando side had the advantage in shots created (7-6), while Crew SC maintained a marginal lead in possession (50.1 - 49.9)
Second Half:
46’ Justin Meram opened the first half with the first chance for either team, firing at Ricketts from outside the area. Ultimately, Meram’s effort was a comfortable save for the Jamaican international.
53’ Brek Shea lined up to take a free-kick for Orlando from the right side, just outside the area, attempting to recreate the stunning set-piece he recently scored for the U.S. Men’s National Team. Unfortunately for the Lions, the left-back’s curling strike narrowly missed the target.
54’ Another poor turnover in the box led to a second goal for Columbus when Justin Meram blasted the ball into the back of the net, leaving Ricketts with no chance of making a save.
59’ Orlando’s uphill battle became increasingly difficult in the 59th minute when Kei Kamara scored his fourth goal of the season. Kamara ran on to Higuain’s ball over the top and lobbed Ricketts, who was charging to clear the danger away.
78’ Heath made an attacking change, bringing on dynamic forward Carlos Rivas.
79’ Ricketts came up big for the Lions in the 79th minute, making consecutive saves on Kamara’s efforts. After saving Kamara’s one-one-one chance, Ricketts bounced back up quickly to parry his follow-up chance.
85’ With the match winding down, Columbus made it difficult for the Lions to create very many chances, using their numerical advantage to control possession.
90 (+3) The referee blew the final whistle, resulting in Orlando’s first road loss in 2015.
Scoring Summary:
COL - Federico Higuain (Ethan Finlay) 31’
COL - Justin Meram (unassisted) 54’
COL - Kei Kamara (Federico Higuain) 59’
Misconduct Summary:
ORL - Rafael Ramos (Red Card) 33’
ORL - Amobi Okugo (Yellow Card) 58’
Lineups/Substitutions:
Orlando City SC – GK Donovan Ricketts, D Brek Shea, Aurélien Collin, Seb Hines (Eric Avila 60’), Rafael Ramos, M Amobi Okugo, Darwin Cerén, Cristian Higuita, Kevin Molino, Kaká, F Cyle Larin (Tyler Turner 35’)
Columbus Crew SC – GK Steve Clark, D Hernan Grana, Michael Parkhurst, Emmanuel Pogafeta, Waylon Francis (Chris Klute 64’), M Ethan Finlay, Mohammed Saeid, Tony Tchani, Justin Meram (Kristinn Steindorsson 69’), Federico Higuain, F Kei Kamara
Match Facts:
Time of Match: 7:30 p.m. ET
Weather: Clear
April 18, 2015
Attendance: 15,655
Stats:
Shots:
ORL - 9
COL - 17
Corners:
ORL - 6
COL - 3
Offside:
ORL - 2
COL - 4
Fouls:
ORL - 15
COL - 11
Saves:
ORL - 6
COL - 3
The Lions will face Toronto FC next on April 26 at the Orlando Citrus Bowl. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET. Tickets are available here.
