BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. (August 14, 2016) – Orlando City SC (5-6-12, 27 points) played to a 2-2 draw against the Chicago Fire (4-11-7, 19 points) Sunday afternoon at Toyota Park. Captain Kaká scored and assisted on Cyle Larin’s equalizer. Defender José Aja and midfielder Tony Rocha came on in the second half to make their MLS debuts.
“I think we earned a draw. I think we should be happy with the one point,” Head Coach Jason Kreis said. “We’ll continue to work on those [mistakes], we’ll continue to try to improve, and I think as we gain fitness and gain momentum. I think that we’ll improve. I really do.”
John Goossens’ shot from distance opened the scoring for the Fire in the sixth minute but the Lions responded just three minutes later. Kaká flicked a ball in for Cyle Larin, who muscled past his defender and tapped it past an oncoming Sean Johnson for the equalizer. It was Larin’s 12th goal of the season and put Kaká in the team lead with eight assists.
The Brazilian was strong up the left wing throughout the match and put the Lions in the lead in the 32nd minute when he fired a rebound into the roof of the net. Matías Pérez García played the ball to Servando Carrasco, who lofted it in for Larin. The Canadian’s header rang off the post before Kaká cleaned it up.
Pérez García made his first start for the Lions since joining the team on Aug. 3 and put in a strong performance. The nimble Argentinian was a force through the center of the pitch and played a part in both of City’s goals. Pérez García came off in the 64th minute in place of Kevin Molino, who returned from injury in his first game since July 31.
Aja and Rocha had a solid performances in their MLS debuts. The Uruguayan came on in the 56th minute place of Tommy Redding, who returned from a hamstring injury suffered on July 4. Aja had one shot and made several fine defensive plays. Rocha, who was signed to an MLS contract on Aug. 4 from Orlando City B, entered the match shortly after in the 61st minute and filled in nicely for Cristian Higuita.
The Fire equalized in the 78th minute when Razvan Cocis headed Brandon Vincent’s centering feed after a short corner by David Accam.
Orlando City closes out the road trip on Saturday, Aug. 20, against the Colorado Rapids. Kickoff is set for 9 p.m. ET at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. The Lions return to Camping World Stadium on Wednesday, Aug. 24, when they host Toronto FC. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS:
First Half
6’ John Goossens rips a shot from distance that deflects off the post and in.
7’ Cyle Larin dribbles into the box and does well to earn a corner kick.
9’ Kaká receives a pass from Matías Pérez García and chips a nice one-touch ball into Larin, who muscles past his defender and taps the ball past goalkeeper Sean Johnson for the equalizer.
15’ Joe Bendik makes a great diving save on a shot by David Accam.
16’ Kaká makes a strong move to find space on the left wing before firing a cross into Brek Shea, whose shot is deflected for a corner.
17’ Kaká drives another ball through the box to Shea, who drills a first-time shot just wide.
27’ Orlando City continues dominating the run of play with Kaká working the left side of the pitch. The Lions are controlling 60 percent of possession.
32’ Servando Carrasco floats a ball into Larin, whose header rings off the post and back down. Kaka fires the rebound into the roof of the net for the 2-1 lead.
39’ Bendik makes another strong save off a Michael de Leeuw shot from nine yards out.
43’ Pérez García makes a strong recovery and gets the ball to Larin, who quickly works it to Kaka in the box. The Brazilian superstar drives a ball across for Brek Shea but it rolls wide.
43’ Joe Bendik makes a strong point-blank save off John Goossens.
45 (+1)’ After one minute of added time, the referee indicates the end of the first half. Orlando City 2, Chicago Fire 1. The Lions are controlling over 61 percent of possession and outshooting the Fire 7-6.
Second Half:
48’ Bendik makes another strong save, diving to his right to stop a John Goossens shot. Goossens was ruled offside, though.
54’ Kaká makes a dazzling 60-yard run up the left wing before driving into the box from the end line. The Brazilian rips the ball across the face of goal but it goes out for a corner kick.
55’ Tommy Redding makes a nice clearance off the line as Joe Bendik charged out to stop the ball.
56’ José Aja enters the match in place of Redding. It is the Uruguayan defender’s MLS debut.
57’ Kaká curls a shot from 22 yards out to the far post but Johnson parries it away.
59’ Pérez García makes a clever move to find space in the middle of the pitch before firing a shot from 25 yards out.
61’ Tony Rocha comes on in place of Cristian Higuita to make his MLS debut.
62’ Cyle Larin is dragged down in the box by Sean Johnson but the referee rules play on.
72’ Kevin Molino makes a nice flick to free Kaká up the left wing. Kaká dribbles through the box before firing a shot that Johnson does well to stop.
75’ Brek Shea makes a dashing run at the Chicago back line from midfield and forces a corner kick.
76’ Kaká makes a slick backheel pass to José Aja, who passes up to Tony Rocha. Rocha drives the box and crosses for Larin but Johnson is able to scoop it up.
78’ Razvan Cocis heads the ball into the net for the equalizer.
90 (+3)’ After three minutes of added time, the referee indicates the end of the match. Orlando City 2, Chicago Fire 2.
Scoring Summary:
CHI - John Goossens (Matt Polster) 6’
ORL - Cyle Larin (Kaká) 9’
ORL - Kaka 32’
CHI - Razvan Cocis (Brandon Vincent) 78’
Misconduct Summary:
ORL - Tommy Redding (Yellow Card) 17’
CHI - David Accam (Yellow Card) 45 (+2)’
ORL - José Aja (Yellow Card) 86’
Lineups/Substitutions:
Orlando City SC - GK Joe Bendik, D Luke Boden, Tommy Redding (José Aja 56’), Seb Hines, Kevin Alston, M Servando Carrasco, Cristian Higuita (Tony Rocha 61’), Brek Shea, Kaká, Matías Pérez García (Kevin Molino 64’), F Cyle Larin
Substitutes Not Used: GK Earl Edwards Jr., D Mikey Ambrose, F Carlos Rivas, Júlio Baptista
Chicago Fire - GK Sean Johnson, D Eric Gehrig, Johan Kappelhof, Jonathan Campbell, M Matt Polster, Khaly Thiam (Luis Solignac 46’), Razvan Cocis, Brandon Vincent, F John Goossens (Arturo Alvarez 71’), Michael de Leeuw, David Accam
Substitutes Not Used: GK Matt Lampson, D Michael Harrington, M Nick LaBrocca, Michael Stephens, Joey Calistri
Details of the Game:
Time: 4 p.m. ET
Weather: Clear
August 14, 2016
Attendance: 18,184
Stats:
Possession:
ORL - 55.8 %
CHI - 44.2 %
Shots:
ORL - 20
CHI - 18
Saves:
ORL - 6
CHI - 5
Fouls:
ORL - 16
CHI - 15
Corners:
ORL - 5
CHI - 7
