I know it’s early.
But it’s hard not to be excited.
Orlando City won again Sunday, riding Cyle Larin’s brace and another exceptional defensive stand. The Lions are atop the Eastern Conference, two points clear with two games in hand.
They could’ve easily drawn, or even lost, yesterday against NYCFC. For the second time against the Pigeons this season, City was outshot and conceded more than 60% possession.
It was the same story on Opening Day, against Red Bulls and against LA. But this team has developed a recipe of sorts – score first and maybe once more, then give everything you’ve got to defending.
“They continue to astound me,” head coach Jason Kreis said of his players after Sunday’s win. “What they’re willing to put in and what they’re willing to give.”
Could they be a bit better on defense? Sure. Could they be more clinical with their finishes? Probably. Could they be better with the ball in general? Absolutely.
But that’s what’s different about this team. No longer are the Lions the Cardiac Cats of yesteryear, what with their 14 last-gasp goals salvaging results. This year, they’re building and protecting leads. All five wins have been by one goal, and the one loss was ironically their best statistical performance (14-6 shots advantage with a slight edge in possession.)
“We’re all willing to listen to one another,” defender Jonathan Spector said. “I think it’s the open-mindedness and the will to work hard for one another that has made the big difference.”
In one short winter, Kreis and GM Niki Budalic turned a porous defense into one of the team’s biggest strengths. At the same time, they brought a level of experience and leadership this third-year club has never had.
Spector and do-it-all midfielder Will Johnson have led a group still learning how to play together – at least four first-year Lions have appeared in every game – to four wins at home and, now, on the road.
“A lot of the hype or word around town is that we only have four wins because they were all at home,” Kreis said. “Now nobody can say that anymore."
What they can say, regardless of how they’ve done it or how many times, is that these Lions are special. They’re winning games they maybe shouldn’t be. But they’re only going to get better from here, and 15 points in six games is a heck of a launch pad.
They can make 2017 memorable for more than just the new stadium.
I know it’s early.
But with City off to the best start of any team since RSL and Sporting KC in 2012, you can’t blame me for being excited.
