The Orlando City SC (4-6-3, 15 points) secured a much needed win against new franchise FC Cincinnati (3-8-2, 11 points) 5-1 in front of 22,431 fans at Orlando City Stadium.
The Lions secured the win on braces from both Nani and Tesho Akindele as well as a key header from Dom Dwyer. It is Orlando’s first win since defeating the Vancouver Whitecaps in Orlando on April 20th.
It also happens to be FC Cincinnati’s worse club loss since August 2017 when they lost 5-0 against James O’Conner at FC Louisville.
Orlando just came off of a 2-1 loss in Seattle on Wednesday and had a quick turnaround for this match. They say that a lot of the fight that they had today was for the fans.
“I just said there, on TV, the supporters have been fantastic.” said coach O’conner. “We’ve gone a goal down and the supporters are trying to encourage the players, really trying to lift them and get them going and they played a big part again tonight, like they always do.”
It turns out, that FC Cincinnati drew first blood today when Eric Alexander got a ball through o Darren Mattocks. Mattocks got past Lamine Sene and Robin Jansson and got a blast off above goalie Brian Rowe’s grasps for a 1-0 load in the 24′
The Lions got on the board in the 37′ thanks to a quick combination outside the box, with Moutinho finding the foot of Will Johnson. Johnson then played Akindele first time at the top of the area, who took a touch and hit a shot over the head of Spencer Richey for the equalizer.
After Lamine Sané was dragged down in the box on a corner kick by a Cincinnati defender, the Lions were awarded their second penalty kick of the season. Nani stepped up to the spot and, after an initial save by Richey, the captain put away the rebound to give the Lions the lead and his sixth goal of 2019. It was also the 200th MLS goal in Orlando City history.
Later, Ruan used his speed to get by a Cincinnati defender on the right wing and laid a ball across the face of goal to Nani, who put away the simple finish to double the lead for the Lions. The goal served as City’s 200th in MLS play.
After a poor clearance by the Cincinnati defense following a City corner in the 64′, the ball fell to the foot of Akindele in the box who hit it first time with his left to extend the lead for the Lions.
In the 82′, Dom Dwyer capped off the night of scoring, powering a header home off of Josue Colman’s right footed corner.
The Lions also have to keep their steam up for a home match vs the LA Galaxy on Friday.
