Orlando City draws Chicago Fire 2-2
Kaká scores and assists; José Aja, Tony Rocha make MLS debuts
Special to the Herald
BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. (August 14, 2016) — Orlando City SC (5-6-12, 27 points) played to a 2-2 draw against the Chicago Fire (4-11-7, 19 points) Sunday afternoon at Toyota Park. Captain Kaká scored and assisted on Cyle Larin’s equalizer. Defender José Aja and midfielder Tony Rocha came on in the second half to make their MLS debuts.
“I think we earned a draw. I think we should be happy with the one point,” Head Coach Jason Kreis said. “We’ll continue to work on those [mistakes], we’ll continue to try to improve, and I think as we gain fitness and gain momentum. I think that we’ll improve. I really do.”
John Goossens’ shot from distance opened the scoring for the Fire in the sixth minute but the Lions responded just three minutes later. Kaká flicked a ball in for Cyle Larin, who muscled past his defender and tapped it past an oncoming Sean Johnson for the equalizer. It was Larin’s 12th goal of the season and put Kaká in the team lead with eight assists.
The Brazilian was strong up the left wing throughout the match and put the Lions in the lead in the 32nd minute when he fired a rebound into the roof of the net. Matías Pérez García played the ball to Servando Carrasco, who lofted it in for Larin. The Canadian’s header rang off the post before Kaká cleaned it up.
Pérez García made his first start for the Lions since joining the team on Aug. 3 and put in a strong performance. The nimble Argentinian was a force through the center of the pitch and played a part in both of City’s goals. Pérez García came off in the 64th minute in place of Kevin Molino, who returned from injury in his first game since July 31.
Aja and Rocha had a solid performances in their MLS debuts. The Uruguayan came on in the 56th minute place of Tommy Redding, who returned from a hamstring injury suffered on July 4. Aja had one shot and made several fine defensive plays. Rocha, who was signed to an MLS contract on Aug. 4 from Orlando City B, entered the match shortly after in the 61st minute and filled in nicely for Cristian Higuita.
The Fire equalized in the 78th minute when Razvan Cocis headed Brandon Vincent’s centering feed after a short corner by David Accam.
Orlando City closes out the road trip on Saturday, Aug. 20, against the Colorado Rapids. Kickoff is set for 9 p.m. at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. The Lions return to Camping World Stadium on Wednesday, Aug. 24, when they host Toronto FC. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.
Tickets to all City home matches are available at OrlandoCitySC.com or by calling 855-ORL-CITY.
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