Orlando, FL – Vamos Orlando! On a wet and soggy night under the lights, the Orlando City SC Lions finally came away with their 1st home win of the season, beating the Colorado Rapids, 4-3. Over 22,000 fans in attendance watched as the “boys in purple” battled back from two deficits and a lengthy lightning delay to secure the points under the Orlando purple rain.
Last night šš½ pic.twitter.com/yNuonW4EGG
— Dom Dwyer (@Ddwyer14) April 7, 2019
Orlando City has conceded 1st in every home match so far this season, and Saturday night was no different. Kei Kamara scored in the 9th minute to put the Rapids up and once again have Orlando City start a goal down at home. Nani would come to the rescue in the 31st minute with the equalizer and then cap off the crazy night of events by converting a penalty kick in the 89th minute for the eventual game-winner. The win improves Orlando to 2-2-2 on the season. A win is a win, no matter how you shape it. The three points are always huge, but let’s keep things in proper perspective as well.Ā It was the winless Colorado Rapids, and it took a late penalty to secure the win. After last weeks tough home loss to D.C. United and Wayne Rooney, the lads have some momentum to build on.Ā Winning this game, even against Colorado, was an important step forward for this squad.
The brace for @luisnani and the winner for City! #ORLvCOL pic.twitter.com/eaE4XZtB8o
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) April 7, 2019
āI would say this is probably the proudest moment Iāve had since Iāve been here. Not just because of the way the players have come back, but you look at the supporters. Weāve got a rain delay, weāve got lightning and you look around and it feels like all of Orlando is in the stadium. Itās incredible. This is a very special football club and for us to be able to go and win a game like that, weāre obviously very, very pleased.āĀ Orlando Head CoachĀ James OāConnor after the game.
āItās always good to score goals for the team,ā Nani said. āItās always good to help. Obviously, itās not the most important [thing]. We wanted to win, to win for our fans. What theyāve been doing [every week] is fantastic. I never saw that in my life. Iāve been playing for many teams and when the things [are] not going well, everyone knows how the fans normally react. These fans, they are special. I wanted so badly to help the team to win.āĀ Nani speaking after the game.
The first in purple. Never forget it. š@luisnani | #FaceOfCity pic.twitter.com/NQx7CaxRDs
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) April 7, 2019
City out-shot the Rapids, 16-10 (8-6 on target), with possession finishing about evenly split at 50/50. Colorado did pass slightly better (80%-76%) in the game. The Lions now travel to Salt Lake City to take on Real Salt Lake next Saturday, April 13th at 9 pm.
Match Notes
- The Lions remain unbeaten against the Rapids, now 4-0-1 in Club history against Saturdayās opposition.
- Dom Dwyer recorded a goal contribution for the sixth-consecutive game, his personal best. No player in MLS has matched that streak in 2019.
- Naniās game-winning penalty in the 89th was the first attempted and converted by the Lions this season.
- Naniās brace on the evening served as his first goals scored in MLS.
- Kudos to all the OCSC fans that stuck through the rain delay and cheered our boys to victory!
Photo Credit | John Chapman Photo
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