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MLS Orlando City SC

Orlando City Extends Home Unbeaten Streak with Montreal Impact 2-1 Defeat

May 21, 2016 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Orlando City SC News Release


ORLANDO, Fla. - Orlando City SC (3-3-5, 14 points) pushed forward to come back in front of 34,081 fans at Camping World Stadium with a Cyle Larin brace assisted by Captain Kaká that secured a 2-1 victory over the Montreal Impact (4-4-4, 16 points). The win stretched Orlando City's home unbeaten streak to 12 games.

"Obviously delighted for everybody concerned. Really pleased for the players," Lions head coach Adrian Heath said. "Delighted for our supporters, who I thought were incredible again tonight. The energy in the stadium really drove the players on. There were tired bodies out there, a lot of little knocks and it would have been easy for the group to have felt sorry for themselves going down a goal so early on. They kept going all night, and that's what I said to them. Regardless of what happens, we have to keep going until the final whistle. Don't give in. And they didn't. They got their rewards."

Montreal got on the board in the fourth minute when Lucas Ontivero worked the ball to Ignacio Piatti on the left side of the box. Piatti took a touch and ripped a shot that was deflected past City goalkeeper Joe Bendik. However, the Lions used the support of over 34,000 fans to turn the result around.

Orlando City held strong as Montreal continued pressing and fought back with a huge goal in the waning minutes of the half after Larin earned a free kick running onto a ball down the left wing. Kaká delivered a perfectly placed ball into the box for Larin, who flicked it cleverly inside the far post for the equalizer.

The Lions' intensity kicked up a notch in the second half, continually threatening the Montreal goal. Their efforts finally paid off in the 87th minute with a gorgeous team effort. Cristian Higuita chipped a ball to Kaká on the edge of the box, who chested it to second-half substitute Jî=BAlio Baptista. The Brazilian flicked it back to Kaká over the back line and Kaká passed to Larin on the far post for the game winner. It was Larin's team leading sixth goal of the season.

Colombian winger Carlos Rivas had a fantastic evening in his first start since April 17. The Designated Player made plays up the left side all evening and delivered several dangerous crosses into the box. Rivas finished with six shots.

Goalkeeper Joe Bendik had impressive back-to-back performances again tonight, making six saves to keep the match level. His best save came in the 78th minute minute when an Ambroise Oyongo shot was deflected on its way to net. Bendik stopped himself and parried the shot away with one hand, only to face a close-range shot from Johan Venegas just moments later.

This was the first of three matches in the span of eight days for the Lions. Orlando City returns to Camping World Stadium on Wednesday, May 25, to host the Philadelphia Union for a 7:30 p.m. E.T. kickoff before travelling to face New York City FC on Sunday, May 29.

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