SEATTLE – August 16, 2015 – Orlando City SC (7-11-7, 28 points) fell to Seattle Sounders FC (11-12-2, 35 points) 4-0 at CenturyLink Field on Sunday evening before 40,453 fans.
Despite creating a few threatening chances early in the game, Orlando City fell behind in the 17th minute when Obafemi Martins powered his way through to score his eighth goal of the season.
Goalkeeper Tally Hall, who made several key saves throughout the match, came up big for the Lions in the 30th minute when the Sounders were awarded a penalty-kick. Despite Martins’ effort from the spot curling toward the corner with pace, Hall made an impressive diving save to push it wide.
However, Orlando would have an uphill battle to fight its way back into the game when defender Tyler Turner was shown a second yellow card with five minutes remaining in the first half, reducing the Lions to 10 men for the seventh time this season.
In the second half, three goals from Nelson Valdez, Obafemi Martins and second half substitute Thomas secured three points for the home side.
“We haven’t done ourselves any favors. Certainly today wasn’t good for us, unacceptable for the players we had in,” said head coach Adrian Heath. “We have to regroup and see what we can come up to and need to instill confidence again in the players and get to a better shape. I’m a little bit concerned with our away form at this moment in time. The differences between our home and away performances are night and day at this point. Individually and collectively we have to make it better.”
First Half:
7’ After a relatively slow start to the game, Obafemi Martins came close to providing the first goal, powering his way by the back four for a strong header from just outside the six. However, goalkeeper Tally Hall came out strongly to make a big-time save to keep things level.
8’ Orlando City responded directly after Martins’ threatening chance, with Kaká, nearly finding the back of the net after an efficient counter-attack.
17’ Martins would find the back of the net 10 minutes later. After combining with Lamar Neagle on the edge of the area, Martins surged into the box and tucked the ball into the bottom corner.
20’ Tally Hall was called upon once again to make a key save when Andy Rose attempted to sneak his effort past. The veteran goalkeeper was able to get low quickly though, tipping it wide for a corner.
30’ Matters almost became worse for City in the 30th minute when Seattle was awarded a penalty. Martins’ strike was low and headed for the corner, but Hall made a diving save to parry it wide. Seattle followed up with another close-range attempt, leading to another crucial save from Hall.
36’ Nearing the end of the first half, Servando Carrasco provided a strong effort from the edge of the area, blasting a shot that deflected off a Seattle defender for a corner.
40’ Tyler Turner received a second yellow in the first half, reducing the Lions to 10 men for the seventh time this season.
45 (+2) The referee signaled for halftime - with the Lions down a man and trailing 1-0.
Second Half:
52’ Seattle doubled their lead early in the second half when new signing Nelson Valdez opened his MLS account with a header.
62’ Ten minutes later, Martins scored his second goal of the game after an unfortunate deflection on the edge of the Lions’ box, allowing Martins to run free in behind for a one-on-one chance.
67’ Heath made his first change of the game, bringing on young Designated Player Bryan Róchez for Larin.
80’ In the final 10 minutes of the game, Orlando City remained compact in behind the ball as they attempted to prevent further damage while being a man down.
92’ Thomas added the final goal of the game, resulting in a 4-0 loss for the Lions.
Scoring Summary:
SEA: Obafemi Martins (Lamar Neagle) 17’
SEA: Nelson Valdez (Erik Friberg) 52’
SEA: Obafemi Martins (Thomas) 62’
SEA: Thomas (Roman Torres) 92’
Misconduct Summary:
ORL: Tyler Turner (Yellow Card) 23’
ORL: Tyler Turner (Yellow Card) 40’
ORL: Darwin Ceren (Yellow Card) 61’
ORL: Bryan Róchez (Yellow Card) 77’
Lineups/Substitutions:
Orlando City SC - GK Tally Hall, D Tyler Turner, Aurelien Collin, David Mateos, Luke Boden, Cristian Higuita, Servando Carrasco, Darwin Ceren (Pedro Ribeiro 84’), Adrian Winter, Kaka (Lewis Neal 70’), F Cyle Larin (Bryan Rochez 67’)
Unused Subs: GK Earl Edwards Jr., D Corey Ashe, Tommy Redding, M Carlos Rivas
Seattle Sounders - GK Stefan Frei, D Tyrone Mears, Chad Marshall, Roman Torres, Oniel Fisher, M Rose, Brad Evans (Cristian Roldan 81’) , Erik Friberg, Lamar Neagle, F Nelson Valdez (Thomas 56’), Obafemi Martins (Darwin Jones 66’)
Unused Subs: GK Troy Perkins, D Zach Scott, Dylan Remick, Gonzalo Pineda
Match Facts:
Time of Match: 5:00 p.m. ET
Weather: Partly Cloudy
August 16, 2015
Attendance: 40,453
Stats:
Shots:
ORL: 5
SEA: 21
Corners:
ORL: 1
SEA: 8
Offside:
ORL: 1
SEA: 3
Fouls:
ORL: 14
SEA: 14
Saves:
ORL: 8
SEA: 0
Orlando City’s next match will take place Toronto FC at BMO Field on Saturday, August 22. Kick-off is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. ET. The Lions return home on August 29 to host the Chicago Fire. Kick-off is 7:30 p.m. ET.
