Metro eaten by Lions in Orlando, 3:1
October 3, 2020
So much for optimism. A week after Metro seemed to get its season back on track, it all came crashing down as they got outplayed and outscored in Orlando, 3:1. Only the home team's inept finishing kept the margin from being higher. Metro once again failed to generate much offense, but, hey, at least they scored...
After reverting to the four-man backline for last week's victories, Bradley Carnell switched back to the three (or five, depending how you look at it). This time, Mandela Egbo was partnered Tim Parker and Aaron Long, who took back his usual spot at the expense of Sean Nealis. Kyle Duncan slid back to his customary right and Jason Pendant entered on the left. Jared Stroud was removed from the diminished midfield Brian White started up top for Tom Barlow, who picked up a knock in training.
Eight minutes it, White was put through on goal by Kaku, but missed the net after his first touch took the ball too wide. That was Metro's only coherent opportunity of the first half. On the other end, Orlando broke through in the 24th, when the usually-great Long was beaten to a header by Daryl Dike. Soon afterwards, David Jensen made a terrific stop on a breakaway to keep the margin at one.
The margin went up five minutes into the second. With most Metros caught following a corner, Orlando quickly went the other way. Pendant caught up with Junior Urso and had a chance to win the ball or at least to foul him. Alas, the Frenchman was simply pushed down the attacker, who blasted the ensuing shot into the net.
Four minutes later, Metro got one back. Florian Valot jumped on an errand clearance, hit a pass off an unknowing Daniel Royer, ran into the box, got the ball back, and made it 2:1.
Alas, that was all Metro got. There were some calls when Royer was taken down in the box, and a possible handball in the area was ignored as well. Stroud and Omir Fernandez blew a potential two-on-one after a Orlando corner kick, and Samuel Tetteh once again provided zero off the bench. Orlando blew a couple of chances due to spotty finishing, but got one in injury time after a lengthy VAR review. The whistle sounded soon after.
We miss you, optimism.
Lineup: Jensen, Pendant, Long, Parker, Egbo, Duncan, Casseres, Valot, Romero Gamarra, Royer, White. Subs: Stroud, Rzatkowski, Fernandez, Tetteh, Yearwood.
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