Cyle Larin christened Orlando Cityâs new stadium on Sunday night, heading a pass across the penalty box from fellow Striker Giles Barnes and putting it into the back of the net.
Barnes could only smile about it after the match. âI think his neck grew two inches,â he said.
âI saw Giles get the ball and he looked up once and after he looked up I knew he was gonna cross it back post,â Larin explained. âHe saw me and I needed to make sure I scored the goal.â
And he delivered. When Larinâs header hit the back of the net, the crowd erupted. While Larin said it felt great to score, it felt better to help his team.
âI wanted to win more,â Larin said. âAnd that was the most important thing, winning this game for the fans and the organization.â
Larin got praise from teammates and coaches alike after the match.
âHeâs still very young, heâs very powerful, heâs energetic, heâs willing to learn,â Barnes said. âHeâs a great finisher, heâs got all the tools to be a top, top striker.â
Head Coach Jason Kreis was more impressed with Larinâs growth as a defender rather than his growth as a striker.
âI think his instincts have been fantastic from day one in this league really, one of the most dangerous players in the penalty box, if he gets even one touch heâs liable to hurt you,â Head Coach Jason Kreis said. âAnd so, itâs the other stuff that I think is really growing his game and you saw tonight he put in a real solid shift for us tonight defensively and put some defenders under pressure.â
When asked about âwhat happensâ in that moment when he scores a goal, Larin couldnât help but laugh. âWhat happens?â Larin asked. âI just put the ball in the back of the net.â