Random Thoughts: Post #DCvORL — Pre #ORLvLA
EDITORS NOTE: With such a short turnaround between Orlando City’s games this week, our random thoughts are a mishmash of post match random thoughts from Orlando City’s trip to DC and rumblings and musings from the days leading up to the match Sunday night against LA Galaxy.
Ouch — Aurélien Collin went down with a hamstring injury Wednesday night and we all know what happened thereafter. Orlando City blew their lead and left the nations capital empty handed. Orlando City can COPE without Collin in the short term, but a long term injury would be devastating.
But let’s mention this MLS injury news, or lack thereof really. We still haven’t heard exactly what or the extent of Collin’s injury. It’s FOUR days after the match and not a word. Collin himself mentioned that he’d be getting an MRI on Thursday, but still no information has been reported. MLS wants to become huge in this country, but limiting access to the media and not providing timely information really hampers these efforts. Don’t even get me started on the roster rules, salaries and player acquisition stuff! What about that Transparency and all?
Speaking of injuries, Seb Hines picked up a knock before the DC game and was on the bench. Hopefully he will be able to return against the Galaxy or we will likely see Amobi Okugo slide into the center back spot. While I think Okugo could perform well in the position, Hines has been an important part of Orlando City’s backline and the team would be better with him in it. Without him a domino effect in the team could take place.
We are also still waiting on word if Cristian Higuita will be available after he was concussed sometime last week. Having Hines and Higuita fit will make the absence of Aurélien Collin a little easier to swallow.
#HeathOut
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Yes, there are some people calling for Adrian Heath’s head — 10 games into the expansion season.
— Adrian Rivera (@AdrianoRivera) May 14, 2015
While the struggles at home are well documented, Orlando City has been competitive in every match they’ve played (or at least that they haven’t been down a man). Coach Heath is still new to MLS and most of us knew it would take time for Orlando City to get to where they want to be.
Club president Phil Rawlins even went so far as to REITERATE his support to the Orlando Sentinel.
“I’ve said it for the longest time, we’ve got what I consider to be one of the best coaches in the country; one of the best coaching teams,” Rawlins told the Orlando Sentinel Friday. “And we’ve got a young squad of players and that’s been a little bit of a problem. A little bit of naiveté on occasions, maybe. A little bit of experience building.” (Printed in Orlando Sentinel May 15, 2015)
Chichartio won’t go away, but I really wish he would. HE IS NOT COMING TO ORLANDO ANYTIME SOON! There, that needed to be said. The player is a current loanee at Real Madrid and could be looking for a new home. There has been RAMPANT speculation that the home could be in MLS soon. Seriously? It’s an absurd notion, he will be staying in one of the top 2–3 leagues in the world — and that’s not MLS. Maybe someday we will see him stateside, but I’d be willing to bet quite a bit that it won’t be soon.
Strong ticket sales for the match against LA (last reported to be north of 35k) mean that the Lions will play in front of their second largest home crowd of the season on Sunday. Still in search of their first home win, what a perfect opportunity this would be for Orlando City to get that monkey off their back. Nearly 40,ooo erupting as Orlando City scores a late game winner, ah — we can dream, can’t we?
Side Note: I wonder how many of those in attendance will be attending their first Orlando City match, having bought the package with the primary intention of seeing the Mexico-Costa Rica friendly.
I wrote a BLURB on Sean St. Ledger’s interview with an Irish paper — but one thing I didn’t touch on was his complements of the Orlando fans. I’m glad to see the players noticing the great support.
“The fans are appreciative,” he added. “We haven’t won at home in the league yet and the fans still come out in their droves, if an English club had gone five home games without a win the crowds would have dropped off. It’s just the American culture to get behind the team, in England you’re more likely to get slagged off.” // Sean St. Ledger
D.C. United recreated #DCvORL with legos. It’s pretty awesome (except for the whole losing part). Why didn’t I think of this first?
