Orlando City defender Jonathan Spector returned to the Lions starting XI against Atlanta United after missing five matches with a knee injury. The former English Premier League and USMNT defender was solid in his return to MLS action, making numerous critical tackles and solid defensive plays during his time on the pitch.
Spector was eventually subbed off near the 60 minute mark, but the move was precautionary as he did not suffer any setbacks in regard to his knee injury.
“I felt pretty good out there,” Spector said after the match. “Just disappointed with the result because I felt like we really had [Atlanta] there.”
Orlando City never trailed during the 90 minutes against Atlanta and, for long periods of the match, kept the high-octane Atlanta attack at bay.
“[Atlanta] is one the better teams in the League going forward with the attacking options they have, so it was a good test for us,” Spector explained. “We handled [their attack] relatively well for the most part, obviously giving up three goals is far from ideal, but they put us under a lot of pressure.”
Atlanta had steamrolled their two opponents prior to hosting Orlando City on Saturday and came into the match riding significant offensive momentum. Not only did the Lions back line prove it could handle Atlanta’s high press, Spector and company also kept one of the league’s most dangerous attackers, Miguel Almirón, off the scoresheet.
City’s back line took a step in the right direction with the return of Spector. His veteran leadership, along with his innate ability to read the game, bolstered the Lions defense considerably against Atlanta.
Spector has proven over the course of the season that Orlando City is harder to beat when he is in the lineup. With five MLS matches remaining, Spector and the Lions defense will look to bunker down and finish the season strong.
