In only its second scrimmage ever as a Major League Soccer team, Orlando City SC continued its evolution, delivering an exciting preseason performance against FC Dallas at ChampionsGate earlier today.
Former FIFA World Player of the Year Kaká donned the Captain’s armband to log his first minutes in purple, leading the starting XI that included Donovan Ricketts in goal, Luke Boden, Aurélien Collin, Connor Donovan and Rafael Ramos in the back, 2014 USL PRO Goal Scoring Champion Kevin Molino, Cristina Higuita, Kaká, Tony Cascio and Amobi Okugu in the midfield and Northern Ireland National Men’s striker Martin Paterson up front.
After working to find their rhythm in the first few minutes, Orlando City struck first as Casio sliced through the FC Dallas defense to net a beautiful left footer in the 13th minute. The action continued to build as both teams traded possession, but a dazzling exchange from Kaká to Molino to Paterson, ending with the striker finishing his own rebound, gave the Lions a 2-0 lead in the 20th minute.
Intense competition always breeds heightened tempers and a hard tackle by Rafael Ramos drew a yellow card in the 29th minute. Four minutes later, Paterson was taken down in the FC Dallas penalty box. Kaká converted the ensuing penalty kick in convincing fashion, burying a right footed blast to the goalkeeper’s side.
The Lions started an entirely different XI in the second half, with Edwards in goal, Tyler Turner, Tommy Redding, Gustavo, and a trialist in the back, Estrela, Darwin Cerén, Harrison Heath, Pedro Ribeiro and Akeil Barrett in the midfield, with Danny Mwanga up front.
The intensity continued through the second ’45 as both sides moved the ball well in the middle of the field but Mwanga capitalized on a loose ball in the 60th minute to put Orlando City up 4-0. Ricketts and Edwards combined on the shutout.
