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 Orlando City SC

Lions Fall 2-0 to Red Bulls After Going Down a Man

July 18, 2015 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Orlando City SC News Release


Orlando City SC vs. New York Red Bulls
Orlando City SC vs. New York Red Bulls
(Orlando City SC)

ORLANDO, FLA. - July 18, 2015 - After being reduced to 10 men late in the first half Orlando City SC (6-7-6, 24 points) fell to the New York Red Bulls (8-6-5, 29 points) 2-0 before 33,518 at the Orlando Citrus Bowl - the third highest attended home game for the Lions this season.

Led by Kaka, Orlando City got off to a strong start in the game, creating numerous close chances to put the second place side on the back foot. However, the Lions would fall behind in the 21st minute after an incredible individual effort from Sacha Klejstan to curl the ball into the top corner.

The game became increasingly difficult for City in the 12 minutes later when Cyle Larin was controversially sent off for a challenge on Klejstan in midfield.

Orlando were aggressive in their efforts to push for an equalizer in the second half, whipping several dangerous crosses into the box to force nervous moments for New York goalkeeper Luis Robles and the back four. With City committing multiple players in the final third, the Red Bulls were able to double their lead in the final minute of the game - resulting in a 2-0 final score.

The loss signifies the first time Orlando City has lost back-to-back games at home all season.

"I am really proud of the players. I thought their attitude was absolutely magnificent," said head coach Adrian Heath. "The fact that all evening, with 10 men, they were the dominant team on the field. But their desire to get something out of the game was incredible. They were fantastic. And if we keep playing like that, we are going to win more than we lose. I guarantee you! 14 games left, and we are going to give it everything. This group is going to be fine."

First Half:

1' Kaka opened the game with a chance similar to the goal he scored against West Brom on Wednesday, carrying the ball down the pitch before hitting an effort from the edge of the area just wide.

5' Bradley Wright-Phillips countered Kaka's effort four minutes later with a strong header on the back post. However, a finger-tip save prevented the ball from finding its way into the back of the net.

15' With the Lions beginning to find their stride, good build up play from Rafael Ramos and Kaka created a prime opportunity for Carlos Rivas, whose low effort skimmed just wide of the post.

21' However, the Red Bulls would find the back of the net first after an incredible individual effort from Sacha Klejstan, who curled a strike into the top corner.

26' The chances continued for Orlando, nevertheless, when Rivas hit a powerful free-kick from distance that created a nervous moment for experienced goalkeeper, Luis Robles.

33' Matters became worse for the Lions shortly before halftime when Cyle Larin was controversially sent off, reducing Orlando to 10 men.

43' City's desire to push forward didn't waver though, with the Lions creating multiple dangerous chances in the final moments before halftime.

45 (+3) At the end of the first half, Orlando headed into the locker rooms down 1-0.

Second Half:

54' Rivas opened the first half with another dangerous free-kick that zipped through the box without being touched, nearly finding an unmarked Sean St. Ledger on the back post.

62' Less than 10 minutes later, Rivas set up Kaka with a ball into the six-yard box but the Brazilian's effort went over the bar after receiving a strong challenge from Damien Perrinelle.

74' Head Coach Adrian Heath was asked to leave the field by the referee with less than twenty minutes remaining.

76' Despite being 10 men down, Orlando held the better chances in the second half, stemming from dangerous crosses being whipped into the box.

77' Bryan Rochez was introduced for Lewis Neal, providing the Lions with more attacking options in the final third.

87' With three minutes remaining in the game, breaking down the Red Bulls became increasingly difficult as New York remained compact and organized in behind the ball.

90' With the Lions committing numbers forward, New York found the back of the net in the waning moments when Mike Grella drove a low effort into the bottom corner.

Team 1 2 Final

Orlando City SC 0 0 0

New York Red Bulls 1 1 2

Scoring Summary:

NY: Sacha Klejstan (Unassisted) 21'

NY: Mike Grella (Unassisted) 90'

Misconduct Summary:

ORL: Cyle Larin (Red Card) 33'

NY: Anatole Abang (Yellow Card) 59'

ORL: Cristian Higuita (Yellow Card) 65'

Lineups/Substitutions:

Orlando City SC - GK Tally Hall, D Corey Ashe (Pedro Ribeiro 88'), Sean St. Ledger, Aurelien Collin, Rafael Ramos, M Cristian Higuita, Darwin Ceren, Lewis Neal (Bryan Rochez 77'), Carlos Rivas, Kaka, F Cyle Larin

New York Red Bulls - GK Luis Robles, D Connor Lade, Matt Miazga, Damien Perrinelle, Anthony Wallace, M Lloyd Sam (Anatole Abang 57'), Sacha Klejstan (Karl Ouimette 80'), Dax McCarty, Felipe Martins, F Mike Grella, Bradley Wright-Phillips (Sal Zizzo 69')

Substitutes not used:

ORL: Earl Edwards, Seb HInes, Amobi Okugo, Tyler Turner, Eric Avila

NY: Kyle Reynish, Shawn McLaws, Manolo Sanchez

Match Facts:

Time of Match: 7:30 p.m. ET

Weather: Cloudy

July 18, 2015

Attendance: 33,518

Stats:

Shots:

ORL: 14

NY: 10

Offside:

ORL: 3

NY: 0

Fouls:

ORL: 11

NY: 17

Saves:

ORL: 2

NY: 4

Possession:

ORL: 49

NY: 51

Orlando City's next match will take place on Wednesday, July 22, when the Lions travel to face Chicago Fire in the U.S. Open Cup at Toyota Stadium. Kick-off is set for 7:30 p.m. ET.

Orlando will return to league play on Sunday, July 26, for an Eastern Conference matchup against fellow expansion club New York City FC at Yankee Stadium. Kick-off is set for 2:30 p.m. ET.

To purchase group or individual tickets, or to sign up for the 2016 Season Ticket waitlist, visit www.OrlandoCitySC.com or call 855-ORL-CITY.

Head Coach Adrian Heath

Thoughts on the Match:

"I am really proud of the players. I thought there attitude was absolutely magnificent. I don't really want to say about the officials, because if I say something, you get fined, and get in trouble. If I don't nothing changes. I believe the referee has made some wrong decisions this evening for both teams. I don't know what we do, because I can't say anything. I am fed up in coming in here talking about the refs, it's not about them. Thirty thousand people come to watch footballers. I thought it was going to be a really great game of football, I really did, because we started really well, they scored a great goal, they are a really great team, and they are really well coached. And here we are talking about people that really don't matter. They should be seen and not heard...that's what I was told. It seems like it's every week, someone is blaming the officials for the outcome of games."

Thoughts on Red Cards in the last two games:

"You can't say that Cyle Larin went in with malicious intent to hurt somebody. There is a big difference. The player's know when people are trying to hurt them. They scored a good goal."

Thoughts on positive takeaways from the match:

"The fact that all evening, with 10 men, they were the dominant team on the field. But their desire to get something out of the game was incredible. They were fantastic."

Thoughts on Carlos Rivas:

"He is getting better by the week, and it's what we expected. He has a big future and big tools. The best is yet to come for Carlos Rivas."

Thoughts on Corey Ashe:

Thought he did smashing, even though he has not played a lot of football of late. I really feel that he will fit in well with us moving forward."

Thoughts on motivating players moving forward:

"I can only go back to the last performance. This was just excellent, and if we keep playing like that, we are going to win more than we lose. I guarantee you! 14 games left, and we are going to give it everything. This group is going to be fine."

Kaká

Thoughts on Red Card:

"We have to really think about that, because every time we have to play with 10 men, it's tough, it's really hard. I told everyone this week that I won't say anything about the referee, but for us it's another lesson that we have to improve on, and it can't happen anymore."

Thoughts on the next two matches:

"These two last games were difficult for us, and now we have to think about this week and prepare for Chicago, and then going to New York. It's going to be a tough game, but this is them where we can show everyone that we can arrive in the playoffs"

Cyle Larin

Thoughts on Red Card:

"I went for the tackle and I don't think I touched him. I looked at the ref and he called the foul. He asked the fourth official and made the call. I think he made the wrong decision and it happens. I was shocked to get the red card and walked off the field. I couldn't do anything about it. I went for the ball. The ball was there but I didn't get him or the ball and got a red for it."

Thoughts suspension for next game:

"It's hard. I always want to be with my team and play with them. It's hard not to be there next weekend. Hopefully the card gets appealed and hopefully I can be there next weekend. We'll see."

Thoughts on the game:

"The ref ruined the game. He didn't make the right calls for us. That happens some games. It just didn't go our way."

Tally Hall

Thoughts on the game:

"If we continue to play the way we played, we'll win a lot of games. I look at the first goal and I think I'm good enough to save it. I'm disappointed that I couldn't push it over and help the team out in a big way. It was a positive to watch the team play that way."

Thoughts on game at Yankee Stadium:

"I think we're good enough to go anywhere and get a win."

Thoughts on the Red Card:

"I didn't see this call, I can't comment on whether it was a good call or bad call. We're not looking for robots to ref the game. The human element is part of it. Sometimes it would be nice if they acted human instead of a robot, like they nailed (the call) every single time."

New York Red Bulls Head Coach Jesse Marsch

Thoughts on the game:

"The humidity really sapped us. As much as it sapped us physically it really took its toll on us in terms of staying tuned in, and the mentality of staying committed to playing the way we want to play. It was a little bit of an odd night for us in that respect. To come away with 3 points in a game where we didn't play our best, we won ugly. That is a big step in the right direction for us because we haven't managed to do that this year. Still even though we didn't play our best we feel very positive about getting the result."

Thoughts looking ahead:

"Right now our minds are totally wrapped around Tuesday. Even in the locker room we said right now we need to switch to make sure mentally and physically we hydrate and get ready for a big game on Tuesday."

Red Bulls defender Matt Miazga

Thoughts on the game:

"Coming into the game we knew it was going to be very hot and humid. It took a toll on our bodies so we kind of let back a little. The second half I thought we did the job well. We kept the ball moving and limited their chances. And it as good that I got the second goal in the second half. Overall I thought it was a good performance, not our best obviously but definitely moving in the right direction. "

Thoughts on playing with Luis Robles:

"Luis has been great. Ever since I joined the club at 17, he's always had my back, he's always helped me giving me advice. Having him back there I feel very comfortable. He's always had very good communication, good directions, and very good leadership skills. He been a leader for us and he's a great keeper and he kept us in the game today and made some great saves."

Red Bulls midfielder Mike Grella

Thoughts on the weather:

"It is not an easy place to come with the weather condition. It was not a pretty game for us, but we got the three points. Like coach says we bend but we don't break."

Thoughts the back four:

"All four of them are fantastic. You know there is always room for improvement but we very good at the back four. We stuck in there and came up with three points at the end of 90 minutes."

Thoughts on his goal:

"I just saved a little bit of energy for one more burs, and I caught him a little bit tired. They were down a man and pushing a lot of numbers so I knew if I saved a little bit of energy for one more blast I could get a chance. I tried it and I got a good one."

Thoughts on getting ready for the Cup game on Tuesday:

"It's all about recovery how fast everyone recovers and gets ready for the game. We are an enthusiastic and energetic young group. No question we will be 100 percent ready for that game."

Thoughts on four wins in five games:

"We learned a lot from that little streak we went but it is a long way to go. We need to stay confident and keep going"

Thoughts on Luis Robles:

"I love playing with Luis. He is a great player. He is a great goal keeper a very responsible player. He is a great guy to have and battle with and I couldn't ick anyone else to play with. He deserves his record."





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Orlando City SC vs. New York Red Bulls
Orlando City SC vs. New York Red Bulls

Orlando City SC Fans
Orlando City SC Fans

Orlando City SC vs. New York Red Bulls
Orlando City SC vs. New York Red Bulls


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