With the first half of their inaugural MLS season in the books, Orlando City likes where they stand.
After a rocky start, the Lions have hit their stride and moved up the Eastern Conference table. Wednesday night’s 2-0 win over the Rapids drew City to within a single point of the New England Revolution for second place with a game in hand – a far cry from where they were just over a month ago.
Early on, the Lions showed their potential by often outplaying opponents. But inexperience also showed and opponents were quick to capitalize on even the smallest mistakes.
“At this level, you get punished. We can dress it up as much as you like but if you don’t mark and do your job, you’re going to get punished,” said Adrian Heath back on May 15th after the disappointing 2-1 loss to D.C. United. The Lions held a one-goal lead for the majority of the game, but couldn’t hang on against one of the most experienced teams in MLS.
Since the loss to DC in May, the Lions have put together a 4-1-2 record, hitting that coveted 2 points per game average. Almost exactly a month later, City would avenge that loss with a shutout victory over United at home.
What a difference a month can make.
“We’re happy but we’re not satisfied,” said Brek Shea after Wednesday’s win. “We hold ourselves to high standards and we want to do better and get three points every game.”
One of the biggest surprises of the year has been forward Cyle Larin. The Lions took Larin out of UConn with the first overall pick in the MLS SuperDraft, and the selection looks more brilliant by the day. He scored in his first career start against Portland and has bagged five since then – not to mention his three goals for Team Canada.
“One of the reasons we took him No. 1 in the draft is we think he has a lot of tools. [He’s a] young center forward who’s 6’3” and can run, has got good feet and has a goal scoring record,” said Heath after the Lions’ thrilling 2-2 draw with the Revs. Larin scored in the 75th minute before Aurélien Collin’s game-tying 90th minute header salvaged a point from the then-Eastern Conference leaders.
Heath knows this team still has plenty of work to do if they want to truly contend for an MLS Cup. But their results of late hint that this is a team finally coming into its own.
“I have great faith in this group. I still think there’s a lot more to come.”
