Credit Brandon Koodish
By Luis Carlos Pineda
Disappointed in the result, this could’ve ended in a tie but we don’t have a solid 9 that would finish that play for a goal. The positives to take from this is that Van der Water is the real deal and Moutinho needs to start. Schlegel was not in the starting eleven and stayed in Orlando to handle personal matters. He surely was missed in the backline.
The first half was all Red Bulls. Orlando turned the ball over and over as Caden Clark and the Red Bulls kept putting pressure down the mid. Not a good start for Halliday and the backline. Also, the lions in the first half allowed a lot of set pieces for the Red Bulls to take advantage of.
In one of those set pieces, Clark crossed the ball perfectly for Nealis that found a superb save from Pedro Gallese. NYRB was taking advantage of the occasions the lions were given them. The great first half of the Red Bulls’ attack with Caden Clark as their ace of spades.
The first clear chance for Orlando City was in the 25th minute, Pereyra crossed the ball over to Urso off a corner kick, and the Brazilian missed it, it was no good. Akindele had a clear one also in the 32nd minute off a counterplay with Urso but Coronel put it away easily.
In the 35th minute, the lions started to gain some momentum offensively, Mendez and the mid turned over the ball to the Red Bulls that kept going on the counter. In one of those counters, Klimala beat Kyle Smith and got across perfectly set for Caden Clark to tap it in for the 1-0 NYRB.
Caden Clark is a top talent, a huge personality on the field, top talent in finishing the play, and also very tactically savvy.
In the second half, Benji Michel subbed in for Pereyra which was not his usual self in the first half. Bringing in Benji meant more speed in the midfield and on the counter. As NYRB kept attacking to get the 2-0, Orlando did the same, but they failed miserably due to turning the ball over constantly. It seemed that there was a communication breakdown amongst our players.
In the 60th minute, off a set-piece, Casseres stunned Gallese and made it 2-0 NYRB. Gallese looked visibly upset. Coach Oscar’s response was to send Van der Water and Moutinho, Mendez (had a bad game) and Halliday (should’ve not started in my opinion) was subbed out. NYRB had a few chances to sentence the game but Gallese came up with a couple of big saves. Those chances came off sloppy passes and turnovers by the mid. It was not their night.
In the 84th minute, Kyle Smith crossed a ball perfectly to Tesho. Tesho saw Van der Water coming and he left the ball to him. The Dutch winger fake past a Red Bulls defender and shot the ball perfectly to make it 2-1. It was the Dutch’s first MLS goal. Minutes later, Van der Water could’ve tied the game but his shot went way over the net.
NYRB gave Orlando City their first loss of the season. But, the season ain’t over yet, yes we have to improve tons on being more consistent in counter plays and not turning the ball over as much but despite that, I praise the lads for their resilience and ability to almost get the even score until the last minute of the game. Tough loss, but we will be back stronger than ever.
#vamosorlando