(Photo by Victor Tan / New Day Review)
ORLANDO, Fla. – Whether Orlando City SC’s trio of young center-backs heard the message or not, there was still significant pressure on them. City head coach Jason Kreis would have an extra eye on the duo that would man the middle with defensive stalwart Jonathan Spector out with an injury.
When kickoff came for Orlando City’s 1-1 draw with Columbus Crew SC, it was Tommy Redding, 20, and Léo Pereira, 21, who got the nod.
It would be no easy task, though, filling Spector’s boots. In his first Major League Soccer season, the first-year Lion has started all 21 of his appearances while recording a goal and an assist along the way. His leadership on the back-line would also be missed. But Kreis was depending on Redding and Pereira to step up.
“It’s organization and communication. When we lose the guy that we really count on for that in the back four, you can see that it’s difficult,” Kreis said after training on Aug. 16. “It’ll be difficult for our central defenders to solve that as to who’s gonna step up and who’s gonna take a little bit of charge back there.
“All three of them are good center-backs in their own right, but it’s difficult for them to take on a leadership role that’s necessary when they’re playing there. But they’re gonna have to if they want to move their careers forward.”
After the draw with Columbus on Aug. 19, Pereira said he was simply trying to make the offense feel comfortable.
“Despite the language barrier, we tried to communicate a lot,” Pereira said. “And I think we’re doing that very well. In the game, we’re just trying to make the players up front feel comfortable, seeing that we can take care of the back.”
And take care of the back they did—mostly. Apart from City letting up Columbus’ goal off a set piece in the 35th minute, the Lions’ defense limited the Crew. The visiting side totaled all four of its shots in the first half, recording just two on-target attempts. City also owned 55.2 percent of possession over a Columbus side that went to 10 men in the 77th minute.
Individually, Redding played all 90 minutes and completed 96.9 percent of his passes. Only forward Dom Dwyer and midfielders Richie Laryea and Will Johnson had higher percentages, but each had just four, six and 10 passes, respectively. In Pereira’s 90 minutes, he completed 80.6 percent of his 62 passes and recorded a tackle. He also conceded three fouls.
“I thought they were both pretty solid. Again, though, in that stretch that I said about earlier in that 10- or 15-minute period in the first half, you could see some real fatigue on those two guys,” Kreis said after the draw. “Some real lack of focus and energy just for a little bit. But they’re young center-backs, and I’ve been around the game long enough to tell you that young center-backs—that’s part of their development, and they get that development through playing games.
“You’re always hoping that playing those games isn’t going to cost you points, and I thought, tonight, they actually had a really, really nice effort—both of them—for the majority of the match.”
Both players will have another opportunity to impress Kreis on Saturday when the Lions host the Vancouver White Caps and former Lion Brek Shea. That game starts at 7:30 p.m.
For more on the Lions, as they look to claw their way into a playoff spot with nine games to go, follow Victor Tan on Twitter at @NDR_VictorTan.
