Wednesday night’s home match against Toronto FC provided opportunities for young substitutes to make a name for themselves in Orlando City Stadium. The Lions used all three of their subs, with Carlos Rivas coming on for Servando Carrasco at halftime, Rafael Ramos coming on for Scott Sutter in the 61st minute, and Richie Laryea on for Antonio Nocerino in the 79th minute. All three are young talent that offer new strength and energy to the team.
Rafael Ramos has been with the team since their inaugural MLS season in 2015. The 22-year-old right back has been plagued by hamstring injuries over the years, and in the match against Toronto he got his first significant minutes of the 2017 season.
“I think he looked pretty good,” Kreis said after the match. “His energy level looked pretty good. Got himself in some really good spots and went to make some passes that were close to coming off. Wasn’t quite there for him tonight, which is to be expected when it’s really his first game with extended minutes the entire season in the MLS.”
Richie Laryea earned his third appearance for the MLS squad this season. He has found success with OCB this season, scoring three goals in nine appearances. So far, Kreis said that Laryea is doing all the right things to continue to get appearances and maybe his first MLS start.
“In his last three performances, tonight was the same, I think he really brings an energy,” Kreis said. “There’s some real energy about what he’s wanting to try and get accomplished out there. And the amount of ground that he covered and the intensity with which he was making his runs I thought was excellent. So, you keep performing like you’ll keep getting opportunities.”
“Great to see Richie on the field,” Kaká said after the match. “It’s his third game. And I think he’s increasing, he’s getting better every game. So, it’s good when we have a young player like him, full of energy and another player for Jason to take advantage of when we have chances to play him.”
After a hectic schedule in May and June, Kreis and his team will head into a two-week MLS break before returning to action on July 21st against Atlanta United. These younger players have taken advantage of the opportunities given to them so far, and increased competition for starting positions doesn’t just help those players, but lifts the team as a whole. Orlando City is hoping to come back from this break with a renewed strength, renewed focus, and maybe some young faces on the pitch.
