There might not be a sweeter goal than your first with a new club.
Ercan Kara got to experience that feeling this past Saturday, heading home the first of what should be many goals in his Orlando City career and lifting the Lions to a 1-0 victory over Chicago Fire FC at Exploria Stadium. Kara was voted Heineken Man of the Match by the Orlando City fans for his performance.
Kara’s goal came as Orlando was pushing for the go-ahead goal early in the second half. Having gone up a man just prior to halftime, the Lions were completely dominant, but had yet to break through the stingy Fire backline, which had allowed just one goal in its first five matches.
A dangerous set piece opportunity in the 59th minute was the stage for Kara’s moment. Facundo Torres lofted his delivery over the assembled hordes in front of the goalmouth towards a wide-open Alexandre Pato past the back post. Pato cleverly headed the ball right into the mixer, where Kara freed himself and slammed it home for the game’s first and only goal.
Kara found himself in terrific positions to score over and over again throughout the match. While he only cashed in the one chance, there will be plenty more where that came from if he continues to find himself in those areas. For the match, Kara took five shots, all inside the penalty area, and touched the ball a game-high 11 times in the box.
