Orlando City battled Columbus Crew SC to a 1-1 draw and the match saw two Lions step up in somewhat unfamiliar positions.
Giles Barnes and Cristian Higuita were two of Orlando City’s most impactful players against Crew SC. Their versatility and tireless work rate were on full display, especially in the second half as Orlando City pushed a result.
“I thought the team was buzzing in the second half,” forward Giles Barnes said post game. “We really showed the passion and drive that we really wanted to win the game. Unfortunately a few of the attempts on goal went the wrong side of the post, but it was really encouraging to see how we bounced back.”
Barnes scored his second goal of the season in the 67th minute to equalize for the Lions. The goal came after a long spell of Orlando City pressure in the Columbus half; Higuita dispossessed a Crew SC player and slid a nutmeg pass into the path of Barnes, who glided into the box and finished coolly off the inside of the post.
“Cristian’s Higuita vision, his ability on the ball, I know where he was going to put it. So, then it was up for me to make a play from there,” Barnes said in his press conference.
The Jamaican international drifted all over the pitch in his attacking role during the match; essentially as a number 10 making plays and delayed runs into the final third of the pitch.
“I’m a striker but I’ve always played as a free role striker. That number 10 role, I really like it,” Barnes said. “And then I moved to the number 8 role at the end of the game as well, and that’s where I first started playing when I played in England. It’s pretty simple -- I can play multiple positions you know it’s just wherever the coach wants to play me.”
Cristian Higuita was his normal self: hungry, committed, energized. He entered the match as a first half substitute when Will Johnson was forced to exit with an injury. Higuita was all over the field -- making interceptions and winning tackles and, when he won the ball in midfield, made several quality passes and forays into the attacking third.
“I think he’s an extremely versatile midfielder,” Orlando City head coach Jason Kreis said when asked about Higuita’s impact. “I think he’s arguably one of the highest-potential players that we have in this group. I’m really a big fan of his,” he continued. “Sometimes there’s a little bit of confusion or a communication problem about what exactly his role is and what we want, but tonight I thought he came in and did an excellent job at the 8 position.”
Higuita’s strengths as a defensive midfielder are unwavering. He covers a lot of ground and is always challenging for second balls -- which is precisely what his team needs in that position. Against the Crew, he found himself in attacking areas of the pitch and was able to put the opposing defense on its heels.
The Colombian has been a consistent feature of the Lions squad this season -- and his performance against Crew SC showed his capability to play multiple roles within the team.
