Orlando City Wins 1st Game in June, Beating Real Salt Lake

On the last day of the month, Orlando City SC gets a win over head coach Jason Kreis' former club.

By
Victor Tan
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Orlando City SC right-back Will Johnson winds up to kick the ball during a 1-0 win over New York City FC at Orlando City Stadium on Sunday, March 5, 2017. (Photo by Mark Thor / Orlando City SC)
(Photo by Mark Thor / Orlando City SC)

Match Recap

Orlando City SC has been searching for a win since it last got one on May 31 over D.C. United. In Saturday’s three-game road finale against Real Salt Lake, the Lions (8-6-5, 29 points) found just their second win in the past 12 games, beating RSL (5-12-2, 17 points) 1-0 at Rio Tinto Stadium Friday night.

“Obviously, the most important thing for us tonight was the three points. To walk away from a three-game road trip with four points, we have to feel very good about that,” City head coach Jason Kreis said after the match. “The soccer wasn’t great, but, as I said, at the moment, the result was much, much, much more important than the soccer.”

The lone goal of the match came in the 17th minute off a free kick by team captain Ricardo Kaká. From the left sideline, the Brazilian delivered the ball to the top of the six-yard box where center-back José Aja managed to send in a headed shot that went off the crossbar. Fellow center-back Jonathan Spector missed on his follow-up header, but the ball then took several boucnes to midfielder Will Johnson who struck it home for the game-winner.

“Just great ball in by Ricky, and José got up well,” Johnson said after the match. “Timed it really well, his jump. Headed it onto the bar. Unlucky not to score, went down, and I think Spector went for it first. Bit of a tussle, and the ball was just there, and I reacted quicker than my man and it home. So, good for us.”

No more than four minutes later did the Utah side almost equalize, though. In the 21st, midfielder Luis Silva found space at the top-right part of City’s box and sent in a curled cross that evaded two City defenders. The ball, however, was also just too far in front of Ecuadorian forward Joao Plata, as it rolled out of play for a goal kick.

RSL continued to push for a goal, managing 11 shots (two on goal) for the game. Their greatest chance, perhaps, came in the 63rd minute. Silva received a chested pass that snuck past Aja and Spector, opening a one-on-one opportunity with Bendik. As soon as Silva took his initial, too-heavy touch, Bendik flew off his line and slid cleanly into the ball for the short clearance.

“We knew that they’re a team that is struggling offensively and that if we played a nice, solid formation, the shape that they wouldn’t be able to break us down or create many chances,” Johnson said. “We knew that if they did that Joe would come up with a play or two, and that’s kinda how it played out.

“The performance wasn’t pretty. A lot of those games early in the year that we won were not pretty, but they were together. They were passionate. There was energy. There was effort. And we got away from that a little bit. And so the performance with the ball was probably not quite as good as we wanted, but we made no mistakes. Our shape was nice. Our togetherness was present. You could feel it. You could see it. And eventually, we leave with the three points, and that’s what we’re playing for.”

Plata provided one last chance at a goal in the 76th minute with a free-kick chance from about five yards outside the top left-part of City’s box. Forward Brooks Lennon feigned a shot first before leaving it for Plata, who struck it a foot past the left post.

Man of the Match: Will Johnson

Johnson scored the only goal of the game in the 17th minute and was the Lions’ most efficient shot-taker. He finished the game with two shots (two on goal) and took three of the Lions’ four corner kicks. City took just two other shots on goal.

What’s next?

Before taking a two-week break, City will host No. 1 Toronto FC for a midweek matchup on Wednesday at 8:30 p.m.

Post-game Interviews

Highlights

NDR Notes

  • Johnson’s lone goal of the win over RSL on Friday was his second of 2017.
  • City won their first game in the month of June with the victory over RSL.

Scoring

Time Team Goal-scorer Assisted by
17’ Orlando City SC Will Johnson n/a

Statistics and Starting Lineups

Goals Assists Shots Shots on Goal Possession %
Real Salt Lake 0 0 11 2 61%
Orlando City SC 1 0 7 4 39%

Real Salt Lake starting XI (4-2-3-1): Nick Rimando (GK); Danilo Acosta, David Horst, Justen Glad, Chris Wingert; Kyle Beckerman, Sunday “Sunny” Stephen; Joaoa Plata, Jefferson Savarino, Brooks Lennon; Luis Silva

Orlando City SC starting XI (4-4-2): Joe Bendik (GK); Donny Toia, Jonathan Spector, José Aja, Scott Sutter; Ricardo Kaká (C), Antonio Nocerino, Cristian Higuita, Will Johnson; Cyle Larin, Giles Barnes

For more on the Lions before their matchup against Toronto, follow Victor Tan on Twitter at @NDR_VictorTan.

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