Grading Orlando City's 2022 Debutants

Ercan Kara

The Austrian striker is still recovering from an ankle injury suffered in preseason, so he wasn't able to start this one, but the new Designated Player did make his debut for the Lions in the second half, coming on for Benji Michel in the 69' minute. At that point in the match, Orlando wasn't attacking or pressing the way it did earlier in the match, mostly playing conservative long balls up to Kara after winning the ball back. While he wasn't perfect, the former Rapid Vienna striker looked the part of a high-end target striker. His first touch was excellent and his physicality gave Montreal's center backs fits. He even drew a yellow card on Joel Waterman in stoppage time after breaking away. Because of the game state, we only caught a glimpse of what Kara can be in MLS, but early returns are exciting.

GRADE: N/A but definitely promising