Orlando City SC (8-13-8, 32 points) midfielder Adrian Winter scored his first two goals in purple to lead the Lions in a 3-1 victory over Sporting Kansas City (11-8-8, 41 points) before 22,241 fans at the Orlando Citrus Bowl tonight.
Recording the fastest goal in Club history - Major League Soccer (MLS) or USL - Winter headed home a cross from Luke Boden to give the Lion’s a 1-0 lead in the 3rd minute. He added an insurance goal in the 72nd minute on an assist from Lewis Neal.
Sporting attempted to change the pace of the game when Krisztian Nemeth equalized midway through the second half, but substitutions early in the second 45 from head coach Adrian Heath inspired a two-goal second half from City.
City midfielder Brek Shea returned to the pitch to a rousing fan response, entering the game in the 61st minute for Carlos Rivas. Shea’s first touches on the ball resulted in a beautiful assist to Honduran international Bryan Rochez, who also opened his scoring account for the Lions with his first career MLS goal, which served as the game winner.
“I think we deserved it [the win]. I thought we started really well. We didn’t allow them to settle,” said Heath. “I am really pleased for the players and delighted for our supporters, who have been incredible. We’ve given them something to cheer tonight. I think it has been a really good night for everybody. All the teams around us are all vying for that last place. We are all going to be in Montreal’s hands, but they have a lot of games to play in not many days. We will see where we go. Tonight gave us another chance and we got close to that red line.”
Article provided and written by Orlando City Soccer Club.