So supporters – as well as critics – of Orlando City SC all asked the same question. You turned an awful season around. Now what do you do with it? Then they defeated D.C. United 4-1.
D.C. United players did all they could to overcome Orlando City SC at Inter.co Stadium. Yet they fell 4-1.
United hit the pitch right after defeating a tough New York Red Bulls squad. They outshot Orlando 16-14.
But United’s only score came just before halftime. That was on forward Tai Baribo’s penalty shot. It brought the visitors as close as 2-1. Antoine Griezmann opened the scoring in the 15th minute, assisted by Martin Ojeda. And Ojeda doubled the score just seven minutes later, assisted by Griezmann and Zakaria Taifi.
Baribo’s effort gave United hope at halftime. The squad took it as an omen. Baribo’s 16th goal of the MLS season led the team and was one shy of his total last season. But they misread their fortune.
In the 50th minute, Griezmann earned honors as MLS Player of the Matchday with a solo goal. The Lions got the fourth goal in stoppage time as Marco Pasalic scored, assisted by Justin Ellis and David Brekalo.
That stoppage-time performance was enough for MLS, as the league named Ellis to their list of 22 under-22 players, honoring its young domestic and international talent. Ellis signed a First Team contract only last February. By late October, he had factored in 16 goal contributions in 27 appearances across all competitions.
Interim Head Coach Martin Perelman also emphasized that this match put beyond dispute how talented the Lions’ squad is. All three Designated Players scored against D.C. United. He said that, despite the victory margin, United played Orlando tough. That’s just how every team in MLS has played Orlando, regardless of their conference standing.
With 41 points following this match, Orlando City SC stands solidly in seventh place in the MLS Eastern Conference. They know what to do with the season they’ve turned around.
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