ORLANDO, Fla. -- It finally happened.
For just the second time this season all three designated players started for Orlando City and for the first time, they all had a part in the goals scored.
The Lions relied on Ercan Kara, Facundo Torres and Martín Ojeda en route to a massive 2-0 home victory against the LA Galaxy on Saturday night, an important step forward in the development of the offense.
For Kara, who scored the first of the two goals on the night, understands the pressure of the "DP" label and knows the expectation to score goals.
"It's important," he said after the match. "You have pressure if you're a designated player and you need to show it and I know from these guys and from myself it's not always easy. But today I think we all tried to show what we can and how important we are."
The first-half goal from Kara in the 38th minute was his first of the regular season, and his second overall after scoring in the Concacaf Champions League match against Tigres last month. For head coach Oscar Pareja, having his top striker back in form.
"It is great to see Ercan scoring goals. He's a tremendous professional that has been waiting there," he said. "Today we need someone who put them all back of the net and he stood up today to make it happen. It's great for Ercan and his discipline... Facu and Martin, they understand the responsibility that they have today. Just being protagonists of the game and it's great."
For Torres, his second-half goal was his first since all the way back in February, when he scored the game-winning penalty on opening day against the Red Bulls.
"I'm happy for the team to be able to get the victory and obviously to score once again," Torres said. "That's something that we've been needing and the team has known that we've been needing to finish those chances and thankfully, I was able to help out in that respect today. But I'm just so happy for the team to get back in the win column."
On the goal from Torres, both Kara and Ojeda registered assists, with Kara starting the play with a backheel, Ojeda driving at the defense and laying it off for Torres to finish. It's the combination that has been in the works since Ojeda signed for the Lions in the offseason, but is now starting to find their individual grooves.
"I think you know it's it brings confidence," Torres said. "Ercan was able to score, so was I, Martin was able to get the assist on one of those goals and I think it just kind of brings confidence and comfort.
"We're getting comfortable with our team, and we know all the different guys and putting the pressure forward and pressing and just being able to play together. We're getting more and more confidence each time and being able to all score and assist today, I think that helps that even further."
Worth a click
- Orlando City's Ercan Kara puts silencer on LA Galaxy with first MLS goal of season
- Match report: Orlando City snaps home skid with shutout win over LA Galaxy
- Orlando City coach Oscar Pareja on downing LA Galaxy at home: 'I'm very happy for the fans and for the players'
- WATCH: All highlights from Orlando City vs. LA Galaxy
- GET TICKETS: Next Orlando City home match vs. NYCFC on Wednesday, May 17
