Orlando City B came away with a 1-1 draw last Thursday night against the Bethlehem Steel, marking their 12th game unbeaten as they march towards the playoffs. It was a very tough and physical affair, with both teams battling hard to win the ball.
Throughout this game, Pierre Da Silva, who played on the left wing that night, was consistently trying to force his way into the game. The Steel’s staunch defense marked him close and handcuffed him throughout most of the first half, limiting his effectiveness on the match. Every time Da Silva would find an inkling of space, the visiting team would try and muscle him off the ball or have a second defender overplay him.
For a younger player like Da Silva, this would normally be incredibly frustrating and could get in his head and affect his performance in the second half. However, he came out of the locker room for the second half of play and made some adjustments to his game. He cut in centrally more often to help create chances not only for himself but his teammates. Chances began to pile up for OCB until finally, on a counter attack in the 75th minute, Da Silva was able to break through. He played a 1-2 combination between himself and forward Albert Dikwa, getting the ball just inside the 18-yard box, and smashing the ball off the side of the goal post and in, marking his second goal of the season.
“He persevered well tonight, Pierre,” OCB Head Coach Anthony Pulis said. “I don’t think the first half as one of his better performances. I think he found it difficult to find space. But second half he kept going. You saw at the end their right back was going down with a cramp because of Pierre, because he kept trying to get on the ball, kept trying to work to find space to be productive and to be positive. His finish for the goal was fantastic. I’m delighted for him that he’s got his goal because that’s something we spoke about, is trying to add more end product to his game. Can he score more goals? He showed tonight he can certainly finish.”
Still only 19 years old, Da Silva is continuing to develop into a well rounded professional soccer player. At each turn through his two years as a pro, he seems to add another facet to his game. He continues to be more composed on the ball, more understanding when to make runs to goal, better in tune with his teammates and, in general, better at playing the game at a high level.
With Da Silva already signed to an MLS contract, expect to see City’s youngest and brightest star more involved with the first team in the very near future.
