Orlando City

Rapid Reactions: A performance fit for a Legend

AC-0058

1. You couldn't have planned it any better. On a night when Orlando City SC honored its first legendary captain, Kaká, the Lions poured five goals past D.C. United en route to a statement home win on the season.

2. Martín Ojeda's goal-scoring streak continues, as his goal in the 19th minute started the party at INTER&Co Stadium. Some absolute brilliance by Dagur Dan Thorhallsson on the wing left Ojeda wide open in the box to finish. It was his third goal on the season, but more importantly, it's the second straight game he has scored in. The confidence he's playing with has been evident the last few matches, and the hope is that will continue over the next few months.

3. It's still the summer of Facu as Torres continues to heat up the month of July. The Uruguayan was all over the pitch on Saturday, leading the team in touches and total passes. He played a part in each of the Lions' first four goals, getting two assists and scoring the fourth. Much like Ojeda, the confidence for Orlando's number 10 has skyrocketed in recent games as he finally starts finding his rhythm here in early July.

4. It was a fun and free-flowing game against D.C., with the offense looking in-sync through all of the first half. After D.C. went down a man at the end of the half, they went into a more defensive shape, trying to stop the bleeding a bit. While the Lions did still score two against that defensive shell, this was a massive game for the style of play that made Orlando such a dangerous team last season.

5. Even bigger for the Lions than finding their groove offensively is they got their first shutout win since May 18. The defense has lately been struggling a bit with letting in early and cheap goals, but that wasn't the case on Saturday. Even against big Christian Benteke, the Lions defense never wavered, holding strong through the full 90 minutes.

6. The win was also the first shutout win at home since back in March against Austin FC. Home wins have been hard to come by this season for the Lions and their faithful fans, but hopefully this can be a turning point heading into the back half of the MLS schedule.

7. Some more firsts on the season came in the final goal of the match, as Nico Lodeiro's corner glanced off the head of Alex Freeman and onto the forehead of Ramiro Enrique, who nodded it home. For Freeman, it's his first MLS goal contribution in his young career, while for Enrique, it's the first MLS goal of the season for him.

8. The Lions capped off their big win by honoring their inaugural captain, Kaká, as the first inductee into the Lions "Legends Terrace." Former teammates joined the Brazilian legend in honoring him, with former Lion Kevin Molino giving a speech. The ceremony capped off by revealing the new banner in the south side of the stadium.