1. Well, that's one way to get back to winning ways. After a tough stretch of matches to start the season, Orlando City SC dominated Charlotte FC with three second-half goals, leading to a 4-1 win at Inter&Co Stadium.
2. The performance comes against a Charlotte team that has been hot to start the season, sitting fourth in the Eastern Conference. Despite that, the Lions, who have struggled with goals this season, dropped four on them.
3. The first goal set the tone for the night. From almost out of nowhere, Luis OtƔvio smashed home his first goal for the Lions. After some great work on the wing by Tiago, the ball crossed into the box and found the boot of Zakaria Taifi, who mishit his shot, and the ball fell to Luis OtƔvio at the edge of the box. After taking a touch, the Brazilian struck it with the outside of his boot, completely freezing Charlotte keeper Kristijan Kahlina. It was a massive moment both for the player and for the team, which scored early after being shut out in the last match.
4. Charlotte would respond in the first half with a set-piece header from Morrison Agyemang. A ball lifted into the back post by Pep Biel found the centerback, who jumped over his defenders to equalize. Defending those set pieces with target players in the box will be a sticking point from this game, but ultimately, that goal didn't define the game.Ā
5. The second half started with a bang for the Lions. A great ball again from Tiago found the Homegrown forward Justin Ellis, who shielded the ball in the box, turned and found a cutting MartĆn Ojeda, who one-timed the shot into the back of the net. It was a big goal for a number of reasons, other than giving the Lions the lead. It marked the first MLS assist for Ellis and the first goal for Ojeda in a few matches. For the DP who scored 20 goals last season, this one was a massive confidence boost.
6. The Lions weren't done just yet. After Zakaria Taifi drew a free kick off a ball playin in over the defense, MartĆn Ojeda stepped up to take the free kick. As he struck the ball, he bent it around the wall set up in front of him, beating Kahlina on the near post and sneaking the ball into the back of the net. It was a goal full of confidence, brimming from the first goal just minutes before.Ā
7. The nail in the coffin came from an unexpected source: Orlando City B midfielder Ignacio GĆ³mez. The 19-year-old, on loan from Argentina, had only played one match for the B side before signing a short-term deal before the match against Houston, making his MLS debut in that match. Coming into the match tonight, he once again signed a short-term deal, subbing on in the 78th minute. After a great give-and-go with IvĆ”n Angulo, the midfielder found himself open in the box. A left-footed strike found the roof of the net, beating Kahlina again and adding the final cherry on top of a very fun match.
8. Defensively, the team held one of the top offenses in the East to just one goal. It's three straight MLS matches allowing one goal or less for a team that struggled to find their footing through the first five matches. The inclusion of captain Robin Jansson has done wonders for the team and their shape, as well as their confidence in their defensive third.Ā
9. It was a great night for Justin Ellis, getting his first start for his hometown team. Growing up in the Academy and coming to games as a kid at Inter&Co Stadium, the forward finally got his moment to walk out of the tunnel as a starter. After the game, Ellis said while he was nervous, "Everybody just gave me confidence. So once I stepped up to the field, I knew what I could do."
10. The Lions now head back on the road as they take on D.C. United on Saturday, April 25, with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. ET on Apple TV.
