Orlando City show their talent in victory over West Brom
By Lee Kilby
Brazilian legend Kaka scored a stunning solo goal as Orlando City defeated West Brom 3-1 in a friendly at the Citrus Bowl.
West Brom didn’t risk playing star striker Saido Berahino as he recovers from a knee injury. Callum McManaman gave the Baggies the lead after just 14 minutes but Orlando fought back with two quick goals either side of half-time before adding a late third.
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With temperatures hitting 27C in Florida, the players took drinks breaks in an effort to cope with the heat but the added fluids were not enough to save Albion.
McManaman opened the scoring with a deflected effort, his first for the club, but Orlando went in level at the break after Brazilian star Kaka scored a fantastic solo goal.
The Brazilian picked up the ball on the halfway line and ran past defenders as if they weren’t there. West Brom showed too much respect to the World Cup winner as he powered into the box before firing home.
West Brom were behind just four minutes into the second half when Rivas curled brilliant a 30-yard free-kick into the top corner. Orlando’s superior fitness was beginning to show and Bryan Rochez capped off a great performance by scoring the third goal four minutes from time.
West Brom manager Tony Pulis said: ‘We knew this was going to be a really tough game because they’ve got some good players and move the ball around quickly.
‘We tired in the second half. It’s difficult when you’re chasing the game but the players had a good workout and that’s what we wanted.’
Orlando City gave several young players an opportunity in the first-team, and they gave an honourable performance as they helped Orlando City defeat a well organised EPL team.
“I thought we were excellent,” Orlando City coach Adrian Heath said. “I look at the team at the end, we had five guys under 20 on the field and they did smashing. Kaká had a great goal, that was reminiscent of about [2007] Milan going past two or three and putting it in the bottom corner. It’s been a good night’s work for us.”
The only concern from the game was Harrison Heath, the son of Adrian Heath, was carried off the field in the 26th minute with a non-contact injury as he gripped his right knee.
The game provided quality entertainment throughout and this was a well-deserved result for Orlando City, who had several reserves in their team. In the second half, the Lions lined up with three teenagers on the back line, a 20-year-old up front, a rookie in goal and a 19-year-old with no league appearances in central midfield.
The Lions didn’t shy away from the challenge of an English Premier League team and this performance will give the team a lot of confidence for the rest of the MLS season.