Orlando City anticipated a challenge against the New York Red Bulls. A lot of that fight took place in the midfield-- and one of the best battle’s of the evening was between Mataís Perez Garcia and Red Bull midfielder Felipe.
Felipe has started in all six matches for the Red Bulls this season, but he didn’t have much of an impact tonight, thanks to Garcia.
Garcia has started in all four matches of the season and has proven extremely critical to the team. He wins battles in the midfield and helps create and defend goal-scoring opportunities.
“I thought Mataís worked extremely hard today,” Kreis said. “He was quite a bit of a physical presence and he really has been.”
“I feel that since we brought him here I’ve been really amazed at the defensive work that he’s been capable of doing and willing to do for us,” Kreis said. “Cause this is a very attacking minded midfielder and often times those players don’t really have an interest in things when the team doesn’t have the ball.”
Garcia works every second of the match, running across the field and attempting to get the ball whenever the Lions don’t have it. His versatility means that Kreis doesn’t have to choose between having an offensive or a defensive player on the pitch: something that has been a goal of Kreis’ from the very beginning.
“He’s worked extremely hard,” Kreis said. “I think has bought into everything we’re about.”
