MONTREAL (September 7, 2016) – After defeating New York City FC in its previous match, Orlando City SC (7-7-13, 34 points) earned its second consecutive victory to jump above the red line with a 4-1 win over the Montreal Impact (9-8-10, 37 points) Wednesday at Stade Saputo. Carlos Rivas scored a goal and two assists in his first start under Jason Kreis, Kaká scored his second consecutive brace and Brek Shea netted his second goal in his first start since Aug. 20.
“I’m pleased. I’m pleased with two wins in a row for these guys. They’ve been working extremely hard. Some things really went our way tonight,” Lions Head Coach Kreis said. “[Rivas] has worked extremely hard the last several weeks to prepare himself for this game. We gave it to him as a target. We knew that Cyle [Larin] wasn’t going to be here for this match and we said to Rivas a few weeks ago that he would be starting the game. He’s focused himself, he’s worked hard tonight. Goalscoring chances and the number of goals you score doesn’t come down to one player, it comes down to a collective effort by the team.”
Despite missing Canadian striker Larin and Trinidadian midfielder Kevin Molino, who were representing their respective countries in 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, the Lions were able to match their highest scoring output of the season. The internationals’ absences created opportunities for Rivas and Shea and they did not disappoint. Four minutes into the game, Rivas took a slight touch to Shea for his second goal of the season just two minutes after Didier Drogba opened the scoring.
Rivas then set up the game-winning goal with a deft touch to Kaká in the 36th minute. The Colombian received a pass from Matías Pérez García and chipped it over his defender to Kaká, who slammed a low shot inside the near post.
The young striker used his blazing speed to create the Lions’ third goal of the match in the 51st minute. Rivas caught up to a long pass from Pérez García and was tripped up by oncoming Montreal goalkeeper Evan Bush, who was issued a straight red card for the infraction. Kaká buried the penalty kick for his eighth goal of the season and his fourth in two games.
Rivas earned his second career MLS goal in the 77th minute with a wicked strike from the left wing that beat substitute goalkeeper Eric Kronberg to the far post.
Goalkeeper Joe Bendik continued his strong play this season. The former Clemson Tiger made an outstanding save in the 39th minute when he flew from post to post to stop Drogba’s point-blank tap-in to preserve the Lions’ lead. Bendik then stopped the Ivorian striker’s penalty attempt in the 70th minute.
José Aja played his second full 90-minute performance in his third start for the Lions and made several strong defensive plays alongside center back David Mateos. Right back Kevin Alston also had a positive outing in his 16th start of the season.
The Lions finish the road trip in Los Angeles on Sunday, Sept. 11, when they take on the Galaxy at 7:30 p.m. ET. Orlando City returns to Camping World Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 17, when it hosts Columbus Crew SC at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Tickets to all City home matches are available at OrlandoCitySC.com or by calling 855-ORL-CITY. Follow the latest Orlando City news and updates via Facebook, Twitter,Instagram and YouTube.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS:
First Half
2’ Didier Drogba drills a free kick into the back of the net.
4’ Brek Shea fires home a loose ball after Matías Pérez García receives a through ball from Kaká and drives it across the six-yard box.
16’ Pérez García plays a clever back heel flick to Kevin Alston, who does well to keep the ball in the attacking third. Kaká brings down a ball off the volley, chips it over his defender and fires a left-footed shot wide.
20’ Kaká runs into the box from the right wing for a throw-in from Pérez García and draws a foul on the edge of the area.
23’ Pérez García slips a nice through ball for Carlos Rivas in the box but the Colombian is unable to catch up to it.
28’ Brek Shea lofts a ball to Carlos Rivas, who heads it back in the air for Kaká. The Brazilian takes a swing at a spectacular bicycle kick but can’t make contact.
31’ Pérez García lofts a ball to the endline for David Mateos, who heads a ball to the near post but can’t get it past goalkeeper Evan Bush.
32’ Kaká feeds Brek Shea up the left wing. Shea drives into the box and crosses for Rivas, who fires a shot that is saved by Bush. Shea takes a crack at the rebound but it is blocked away.
35’ Luke Boden lofts a dangerous cross into the six-yard box but Laurent Ciman dives to head it out for a throw-in.
36’ Pérez García steals the ball in the attacking third and feeds it to Rivas. Rivas takes a slick touch to get the ball to Kaká on the left side of the box and the Brazilian slots it into the near post for the go-ahead goal.
39’ Joe Bendik makes an absolutely spectacular stop on a point-blank shot from Drogba. The Ivorian slammed a cross from Hassoun Camara but Bendik flew across the goal and blocked it with his outstretched arms.
45 (+3)’ After three minutes of added time, the referee indicates the end of the first half. Orlando City 2, Montreal Impact 1.
Second Half:
51’ Pérez García makes a good pass to Rivas and the Colombian does well to chase it down in the box. Rivas is tripped up by goalkeeper Evan Bush in the box, prompting a straight red card and a penalty kick.
53’ Kaká buries the penalty kick into the middle of the net for the two-goal lead.
59’ Joe Bendik makes an easy save on a Dominic Oduro header.
65’ Tony Rocha enters the match in place of Kaká.
69’ The referee awards Montreal a penalty after David Mateos trips Matteos Mancosu in the box.
70’ Joe Bendik guesses correctly and dives to the right-hand post to stop Didier Drogba’s penalty kick.
72’ Mateos dives to kick away Drogba’s centering pass.
77’ Carlos Rivas hauls in a long ball from Júlio Baptista and drills a shot inside the far post for his second goal of the season.
80’ Seb Hines enters the match in place of David Mateos.
88’ José Aja is called for a back-pass in the box to Bendik. Montreal is awarded a free kick on the six-yard line,
89’ Drogba’s attempt from six yards out is blocked away by Luke Boden.
90 (+5)’ After five minutes of added time, the referee ends the match. Orlando City 4, Montreal Impact 1.
Scoring Summary:
MTL - Didier Drogba 2’
ORL - Brek Shea (Carlos Rivas) 4’
ORL - Kaká (Carlos Rivas) 36’
ORL - Kaká (PK) 54’
ORL - Carlos Rivas (Júlio Baptista) 77’
Misconduct Summary:
ORL - Brek Shea 45’
MTL - Patrice Bernier (Yellow Card) 51’
MTL - Evan Bush (Red Card) 51’
ORL - Servando Carrasco (Yellow Card) 55’
MTL - Hernán Bernardello (Yellow Card) 84’
ORL - Seb Hines (Yellow Card) 89’
Lineups/Substitutions:
Orlando City SC - GK Joe Bendik, D Luke Boden, David Mateos (Seb Hines 80’), José Aja, Kevin Alston, M Antonio Nocerino, Servando Carrasco, Brek Shea (Júlio Baptista 61’), Kaká (Tony Rocha 65’), Matías Pérez García, F Carlos Rivas
Substitutes Not Used: GK Earl Edwards Jr., D Mikey Ambrose, Tommy Redding, F Hadji Barry
Montreal Impact - GK Evan Bush, D Amadou Dia, Laurent Ciman, Hassoun Camara, Donny Toia, M Hernán Bernardello, Calum Mallace (Patrice Bernier 46’), Ignacio Piatti, Kyle Bekker (Eric Kronberg 52’), Dominic Oduro (Matteo Mancosu 67’), F Didier Drogba
Substitutes Not Used: D Víctor Cabrera, M Marco Donadel, Lucas Ontivero, Harry Shipp
Details of the Game:
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Weather: Rainy
September 7, 2016
Attendance: 17,389
Stats:
Possession:
ORL - 51.9 %
MTL - 48.1 %
Shots:
ORL - 9
MTL - 17
Saves:
ORL - 4
MTL - 1
Fouls:
ORL - 19
MTL - 14
Corners:
ORL - 0
MTL - 10
