With a goal in the 64th minute, Molino gave City the lead. With a goal in the 83rd minute, Molino sealed the win.
It was his first multi-goal game in Major League Soccer, but the humble 26 year-old from Trinidad and Tobago deflected all of the credit onto his teammates.
“I know I scored two tonight,” Molino said after the match, “but it is all credit to the guys out there who fought so hard and defended so well. It is all credit to team effort.”
Molino now has nine goals on the season, and together with Cyle Larin, the duo form one of the most threatening offensive pairs in the league. But Molino’s success in this match derived mainly from playing off another City player: Kaká. The former FIFA World Player of the Year returned to the starting lineup for Orlando after battling an injury and made an impact the entire time he was on the pitch. The Brazilian superstar gave City chance after chance — and they capitalized.
But Molino’s breakthrough in the second half defined the match and gave Orlando City the win in the first match under the direction of new coach Jason Kreis. Molino said Kreis was able to up the level of fight in the players in just his first week on the job.
“We had a different determination and different attitude towards the game and I think we went out there and fought hard for him.”
The Lions are still sitting just outside of the playoffs, but a win like this is bound to fuel a team prime for making a push. And a performance like the one from Molino is bound to ignite a player with unlimited potential.
