Orlando City Falls 2-1 to FC Cincinnati at Home
Mar 12, 2022; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando City midfielder J nior Urso (11) keeps the bay away from FC Cincinnati midfielder J nior Moreno (93) in the first half at Orlando City Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
ORLANDO, FL. (FNN) — Orlando City faced their most frustrating game of the season thus far against FC Cincinnati in front of 16,512 spectators. Despite domination in the early going, Cincinnati pounced on their only chance of the evening and drew first blood just twelve minutes into the game.
The rest of the first half was a constant surge from Orlando City as they looked to even the deficit. Pato, Kara, Urso and Torres all had chances on target before finally finding pay-dirt. After a lazy clearance from Cincy’s Ian Murphy, Facundo Torres ran towards the left-wing to find a cross. Without hesitation, the Uruguayan international lofted the ball into the 12-yard box where Junior Urso came into space expertly.
The Brazilian’s header is his first official goal of the season. After having his last goal effort against Chicago F.C. ruled out due to VAR, Junior Urso celebrated this one massively with the home crowd, heading straight to the Purple Wall to do his patented bear claw gesture as Exploria Stadium erupted with delight.
Fighting for more
Despite FC Cincinnati’s shortcomings with chances, they are not a team that throws them away easily. In the 53rd minute, a similar chance for goal opened as Dominique Badji won the physical battle against Ruan Teixeira. Badji crossed the ball directly into the box to find Brandon Vazquez for his second strike of the evening.
The intensity between both teams picked up with faulty officiating and sloppy fouls on both sides. Within five minutes of play — Roby Jansson, Tyler Blackett and Yuya Kubo all drew yellow cards. As tired legs became more apparent this game, both managers opted for tactical switches in the dying minutes. With 23 minutes left to play, Oscar Pareja opted in Benji Michel as he replaced Cesar Araujo. This tactical switch opened up Orlando City more for attacks on the right-wing, which was a specialty of Benji Michel to secure late goals last season.
Despite the control in possession and lack of inspiration from FC Cincinnati offensively, it seemed like Orlando City’s prospects for offense were just as bleak. Plenty of control, plenty of press, but when it came to finding the dangerous pass into the box — Orlando never had the answers.
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Nicolas Vera is a sports reporter for Florida National News, part of the FNN News Network. | sports@floridanationalnews.com