By @SAdyson
What those two dolts were saying in the broadcast booth may have some veracity. This very well could be a preview of what is to come in the offseason.
Orlando is set to make the jump to MLS in 2015, and they have built their roster to begin that transition this season. The Riverhounds, albeit declaring Chapter 11 bankruptcy, have also made several key acquisitions in the offseason and are poised to make a run for the title.
Stealing a point right out from under Orlando fans’ noses is huge. Jose looked himself on the opening goal as he barreled his way through the Orlando back line to draw first blood. The Hounds remained on their heels for the remainder of the game, with several wasted chances by Orlando sailing over and around the net.
The only goal for Orlando came when they capitalized on a concussed Hunter Gilstrap laying on the ground, firing a shot towards an otherwise empty net. We’ll remember Orlando fans chanting “DIVER” while Hunter was on the ground when Orlando arrives at the Highmark.
STARTING XI:
Gilstrap, Fekete, Marshall, Flunder, Arena, Earls, Vincent, Obodai, Dallman, Angulo, Johnson
GOALS
Angulo (50′)
SUBS
Blum (62′ for Gilstrap), Green (79′ for Obodai), Salazar (84′ for Dallman), Motagalvan (89′ for Angulo)
CAUTIONS/EJECTIONS
Marshall (Caution, 34′)
STARTING XI:
Gallardo, Turner, Rusin, Valentino, Boden, Quinn, Alvarez, Molino, Da Luz, Ceren, Hertzog
GOALS
Boden (57′)
SUBS
Mbengue (71′ for Da Luz), Chin (76′ for Quinn),
CAUTIONS/EJECTIONS
None
The Riverhounds currently sit 6 out of 14 in USL PRO, in playoff position.
NOTES:
- The goal scored by Angulo was classic Jose. It’s good to see him in good condition at the beginning of the season. Last season, it took him several games to get into shape and develop chemistry with the rest of the team. The extra time he has had during the offseason with the team is paying dividends.
- Classless move by Orlando fans heckling Hunter after he got a concussion in the penalty area. And the replay of that Orlando goal raises a lot of questions about USL PRO officiating. There is no doubt that with a player borderline motionless on the field, play should have stopped.
- It was a bit disconcerting to see the Hounds lose control of the game towards the end. Orlando dictated play for probably the last 30 minutes of the second half. This goes back to the team’s goal of finishing matches strong from last season. They escaped this one with one point, but could have squandered the lead with how little possession they had.
#UNLEASH
