As the postseason nears, Orlando City SC takes heart that two explosive players are back from their injuries.
Players and coaches for Orlando City SC couldn’t say enough about the return of two players after their 1-1 draw with D.C. United. Certainly, they were disappointed leaving the pitch without a win. But the return of two key players from their injuries brought hope along with the point they won.
Midfielder Joran Gerbet and forward Duncan McGuire returned to the pitch. They made the difference even in a disappointing draw. It could have been a loss.
McGuire and Gerbet both started. Scouts rated them both well.
Forward McGuire is credited with a dispossession, and he won an aerial. Gerbet added another dispossession with three successful aerials and three tackles.
Based on his performance, after the match, Head Coach Oscar Pareja pronounced McGuire fully recovered from his injuries. He reengaged with his teammates on the pitch. His timing is there, as well as his touch. No one is worried that he didn’t score.
That’s because they know all McGuire needs is more minutes and he’ll get the ball into the net.
He also saw in Gerbet’s performance the great player they charted before his injury and recuperation.
Gerbet established himself this season as effective during draws. Before supporters had an idea who he was, Pareja called on him during a pre-season friendly for a shootout at the end of a 0-0 draw with Atletico Mineiro.
He wound up, paused, switched feet, and delivered a low line drive into the bottom right of the net. But that wasn’t his most difficult assignment during a draw.
From the 56th minute, Orlando City was down a player because of two yellow cards to Rodrigo Schegel. Somehow, the Lions had held the Red Bulls to a 0-0 draw. But to prevent losing, something had to change. So Gerbet did it.
As the Red Bulls worked to exploit their player advantage, defensive midfielder Gerbet shifted his focus to intercepting passes. He then connected to the backline for an attack. The Lions didn’t win, but they didn’t lose, either.
They left the pitch with a point.
Orlando City SC has Duncan McGuire and Joran Gerbet back and ready for the pitch. As the post-season nears, they’re needed.