Florida MLS notebook week three 2021

CF Montreal 0 Columbus Crew SC 0

Highlights: CF Montreal v Columbus Crew CS – MLS – May 1 2021

It wasn’t the most exciting match, as CF Montreal and Columbus Crew SC played out a scoreless draw at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale.

Montreal was certainly the stronger side, restricting Columbus with a strong defensive performance that denied a single shot on goal. The Canadians just failed to do anything with the 20 chances they had, managing just three shots on goal.

Erik Hurtado could have opened the scoring in the 17th minute when his shot, set up by Romell Quioto, just missed the top right-hand corner. Eight minutes from time Quioto could have scored when Ahmed Hamdi’s cross found him but sent his header wide of goal.

Highlighting how little action there was in the match there wasn’t even a single card issued despite 26 fouls.

Orlando City SC 3 FC Cincinnati 0

Goal: Nani 19′ – Orlando City SC v FC Cincinnati – MLS – May 1 2021

It was a record-breaking night at Exploria Stadium as Orlando City SC beat FC Cincinnati 3-0 on Saturday night.

Tesho Akindele set a new Orlando City record in the first minute of the match, scoring the fastest goal in club history after 31 seconds, the first goal the club has scored in the opening minute of a match. Mauricio Pereyra played through Akindele hitting it into the bottom right corner.

In the 19th minute Nani made it two as he used his fancy footwork to sell out the defender and then shooting past the keeper. The match was final 10 minutes from time when a scramble in the box was finished off by Junior Urso.

The result was Orlando’s first win of the season and the club’s second clean sheet.

Nashville SC 0 Inter Miami CF 0

Highlights – Nashville SC v Inter Miami CF – MLS – May 2 2021

Inter Miami CF also had to settle for a scoreless draw on their trip to Nashville, continuing their run of draws to open the season.

There was also history in this match as Edison Azcona made his debut for the club, becoming Miami’s first Academy player to make it to the first team.

Miami started the match well but faded as things went on, but there was a chance late in the match when Walker Zimmerman fouled Robbie Robinson. That led to a VAR review for a red card that was denied, a decision that Inter’s Head Coach Phil Neville agreed with.

Photo courtesy Orlando City SC

Guenzatti brace sees Rowdies win season opener

ST. PETERSBURG – After a tight first half the Tampa Bay Rowdies opened up in the second, scoring three goals to claim a 3-0 win over Charlotte Independence at Al Lang Stadium on Saturday night.

In the 58th minute the Rowdies hit the lead thanks to a penalty, Sebastian Guenzatti scoring the first goal of the season from the spot. The chance came after heavy contact on the box when the ball was cut back to Laurence Wyke who got hit by a late boot.

Highlights: Tampa Bay Rowdies v Charlotte Independence – USL Championship – May 1 2021

With 13 minutes to play the lead doubled, effectively wrapping up the match. Lewis Hilton swung the ball into the box from a free kick, which he headed on to a waiting Forrest Lasso who headed it to Guenzatti to get his brace.

Two minutes later he turned provider, setting up Leo Fernandes at the top of the box, allowing Fernandes to poke it past the keeper to wrap up the big win.

“You can end up being a little flat. It took a little bit of the anxiety away to get that first goal and Charlotte had to change their game plan. First game – win, lose or draw you know you’re going to come away thinking there’s lots to work on. I’m just glad we got the result. We move on and we learn the same lessons without having dropped 3 points.”

Neill Collins, Tampa Bay Rowdies Head Coach

The first half was a different story, a golden opportunity came in the 19th minute from Laurence Wyke whose shot was well saved by Brandon Miller. The move started all because of a great Jordan Scarlett long ball down to the corner which had the Charlotte defense scrambling.

Just after the half hour Charlotte had its best chance of the opening half. Christian Dean and Irwin Parra linked up well on the edge of the box to create space for an opportunity but Parra’s shot from distance was too easily cleared by the Rowdies.

Photo: Tampa Bay Rowdies

Tampa Bay Rowdies v Charlotte Independence statistical preview

The Tampa Bay Rowdies open their 2021 season against the Charlotte Independence at Al Lang Stadium on Saturday night. While there’s no statistical data from anything recently, looking at last year can provide some insight into areas for the Rowdies to exploit.

One notable datapoint from last year was the aerial duels success rate, the Independence only managed a 46.5 percent success rate compared to the Rowdies managing 57.6 percent. That would imply that the Rowdies would be well positioned by sending the ball in the air, getting control and playing out from there.

With a desire to go aerial that may tempt Tampa Bay to send in crosses and it has 24.6 percent success in that area. That is only marginally better than Charlotte’s 23.4 percent, both are actually good numbers at this level but it may suggest the air would be best serve for launching, rather than finishing a home attack.

There’s a desire to attack that comes from Charlotte, they go forward with their passes more often (37.5 percent) than the Rowdies do (34.7 percent). That may lead to opportunities for Tampa Bay to pick up possession, they were strong at tackling last year with a 68 percent success rate. The Independence don’t pass as much as other teams, just 397.3 passes per game (by comparison the Rowdies made 441.4) that will play into the Rowdies hands as they can use their tackling strength to regain possession.

Once the men in green and gold gain possession they’re loathe to give it up, managing 51 percent last year and once they do they often make it count, scoring on average a goal a half, usually either with the head (11) or with the right foot (13).

Charlotte is patient, 22 of its 28 goals came from inside the box, so with that the Tampa Bay defense should get in the way in the box, especially focusing on the right foot, with 12 goals coming from the right boot of the Independence players last year.

Part of that defense will be strong but not crossing the line, the Rowdies didn’t pick up a red card all last season but did give away plenty of fouls, 222. By comparison Charlotte only conceded 178 fouls.

The Rowdies listed Juan Tejada, Luiz Fernando and Lucky Mkosana as questionable for this match.

Photo: Charlotte Independence

Orlando City SC negotiating with Barnsley for Daryl Dike

BARNSLEY, England –  Orlando City SC can recall Daryl Dike from his loan with Barnsley in the English Championship on Monday with the loan officially expired on May 31st. That has lent some urgency to the English side trying to find a deal with the Lions to secure Dike’s services permanently.

OCSC’s CEO Alex Leitao confirmed to the Orlando Sentinel that the club was planning on recalling Dike from the loan if a deal could not be agreed. He could certainly be of use at Exploria Stadium, with the Lions goal-scoring early in this season going missing, just one goal in the two matches so far.

While at Barnsley Dike has scored nine goals in 18 appearances, leading the scoring charts. While that has been good for Barnsley and lifted the side into the Playoffs places, currently eight points clear of seventh placed Reading, it’s even better for Dike who has seen his valuation soar while in England.

That increase in value may be what ends up pulling him away from England, Leitao made it clear that Barnsley needs to meet his valuation to pull him away and if they fail to do so will activate the recall clause.

It seems that the recall isn’t Orlando City’s first choice, mostly desiring to sell Dike for a proper valuation. There are concerns that returning him to the club will leave to him resenting wearing the purple jersey but Leitao is confident in Dike’s professionalism.

Whatever happens with Barnsley this certainly won’t be the end of Dike’s European journey as the Lions will no doubt see offers for his services coming in. The club already rejected a $10 million offer while his market value is currently five million Euros according to Transfer Market.

After lengthy discussions Dike will remain with Barnsley throughout the Playoffs, the teams agreeing to the extension (or rather Orlando not activating the recall clause.

Photo: Orlando City SC

The week in numbers: April 28 2021

-7 – The shot differential that Inter Miami gave up in the 2-1 win over Philadelphia Union

0.6 – The difference between Orlando’s xG (1) and Kansas City’s xG (0.4). Read more.

1 – The number of goals scored by the Miami FC in its final preseason match against FC Miami City

2 – The number of Higuains who scored for Inter Miami CF in its 2-1 win over Philadelphia Union

2  – The number of times Fort Lauderdale CF led North Texas FC in its 4-2 loss.

3 – The number of times Orlando City SC had the ball in the back of the net on Friday night against Sporting Kansas City, all three times went to VAR, one was awarded as a goal, the other two were correctly ruled out.

3 – Number of goal scorers for the Tampa Bay Rowdies against the University of Tampa in their final preseason test. Read more.

9.1 – The xG multiplied by shots for Philadelphia Union, highlighting how poor the chances they took were.

11 – The minute of Orlando Pride’s only goal in its first in and the shot differential that the Pride gave up

64.6 percent – OCSC’s passing accuracy in the final third, compared with SKC’s 72.9% showing why there weren’t as many chances despite the opportunities.

69 – The number of duels won by Orlando Pride in its 1-0 win over Washington Spirit

92 – The minute of Kelley O’Hara’s red card for Washington Spirit

Photo: NWSL

Rowdies complete preseason with win over University of Tampa

TAMPA – It was a rare trip to the other side of the bay for the Tampa Bay Rowdies on Saturday and it resulted in a successful finish to preseason as they defeated the University of Tampa 3-1 at Pepin Stadium.

The Spartans held out well for the opening moments of the match but in the 21st minute the defense finally cracked. A cross from Dayonn Harris found Leo Fernandes who headed it home past the keeper for the opening goal thanks to a perfect ball to his head.

Fernandes turned provider 10 minutes later as he cut inside from the left of the box and squared the ball for Sebastian Guenzatti to finish at the near post and double the lead.

Four minutes later the University of Tampa pulled one back to keep the match interesting thanks to a slight defensive break down. The UT offense made a strong run through the middle of the park and slot past the keeper, just out of reach to the bottom right, making it 2-1 at half-time.

Seven minutes in to the second half the Rowdies found their third from a corner with a perfectly delivered set piece. Conner Antley did well to earn the corner which allowed Lewis Hilton to find Forrest Lasso whose shot took a deflection before hitting the back of the net.

That result kept the Rowdies perfect record against lower division teams this preseason, despite struggling against MLS opposition. The season will open the season at home against Charlotte Independence on Saturday night.

Photo: Tampa Bay Rowdies

Nani’s backheel goal salvages point for Orlando

KANSAS CITY, Kan. – Orlando City had two goals ruled out but with 11 minutes remaining a moment of magic from their Portuguese captain to salvage a 1-1 draw with Sporting Kansas City at Children’s Mercy Park on Friday night.

Nani came up big, hitting a stunning back-heel in the late stages past the keeper, and sending him off with joy. Only for the referee to go to the Video Assistant Referee screen, after the Lions already had two goals disallowed. Luckily for OCSC this time the goal stood, salvaging a point.

“We were in the situation in the game where we needed to score and it was good to score like that because I didn’t have to do too much,” Nani said. “The ball just bounced to me and then I had just to do the movement, back heel, and it was good.”

Goal: Nani – Sporting Kansas City v Orlando City SC – Major League Soccer – April 23 2021

That goal pulled back Gianluca Busio’s opener in the 45th minute. The ball was cut back to Busio after Daniel Salloi stole the ball from the keeper. That allowed Busio to take a touch and then send it past the keeper at the near post, surprising him by not shooting across goal.

Orlando should have opened the scoring in the first minute as Nani’s ball found Tesho Akindele running in on goal. His shot was well saved but rebounded for Benji Michel who somehow shot over the bar with the goal at his mercy.

A free-kick allowed Sporting Kansas City to get the ball in the back of the net. A backheel from the dead-ball allowed Walter to hit a shot that was deflected, which forced Pedro Gallese into the save. Nicolas Isimat-Mirin reacted the fastest and stabbed the ball home from the rebound, seemingly scoring his first MLS goal. But the replay was viewed by the referee confirming that Orlando held their defensive line well, seeing the goal chalked off for offside.

While undefeated, Orlando hasn’t won its first two matches but will be favored for its next match on Saturday against FC Cincinnati at Exploria Stadium.

Photo Courtesy Major League Soccer

Rowdies demolish Naples United

ST. PETERSBURG –  After a couple of heavy losses, the Tampa Bay Rowdies returned to better form, managing a 5-0 win over Naples United at Al Lang Stadium on Saturday night. The match was highlighted by all five goals coming from five different goal scorers.

With Naples United playing in the amateur National Premier Soccer League the Rowdies went with a young line-up fielding mostly newcomers to the team. That included handing a debut in goal to newly confirmed goalkeeper Raiko Arozarena who played the first half.

The visitors held strong for the first half-hour but soon after that resistance was broken down as Dayonn Harris scored the opener. A cross was swung in by Sebastian Dalgaard, allowing Sebastian Guenzatti to set up Harris, who hit it on the run.

The second goal took another 20 minutes to come a Lewis Hilton corner finding Max Lachowecki whose header thundered back down off the bar. That allowed Laurence Wyke to tap home the rebound, his second goal of the preseason.

Jordan Adebayo-Smith then took the stage, earning a penalty just moments after coming onto the park. That penalty was dispatched by Steevan Dos Santos before Adebayo-Smith became the goal scorer 12 minutes later. He made a rampaging run down the right and lifted it over the keeper before running around to collect the ball and tap it home for a 4-0 lead.

It became five late-on when Leo Fernandes set up Zach Steinberger for a simple finish to complete the rout. The Rowdies have one more preseason test, a match against the University of Tampa next Saturday, again behind closed doors.

Photo: Tampa Proper (Twitter)

Inter Miami found in violation of salary cap sanctions to come

FORT LAUDERDALE – Major League Soccer’s investigation of Inter Miami CF’s signing of Blaise Matuidi has found that the club did breach salary cap and roster rules in acquiring the French World Cup winner in 2020.

MLS has some unique mechanisms for its salary cap and Matuidi fell under the mechanism known as Targeted Allocation Money (TAM). The league found that Matuidi was actually overpaid for such a position and as such should have been classed as a Designated Player. That meant Inter Miami CF had four designated players and thus breached the roster rules for every match after the MLS is Back tournament.

Because of this the Herons had to offload another Designated Player and it was Matias Pellegrini who paid the price for his club’s mismanagement of its own roster. Miami bought out Pellegrini’s contract and he has signed for the third division USL League One side Fort Lauderdale CF.

Blaise Matuidi Goal: Toronto FC v Inter Miami CF – Major League Soccer – November 1 2020

Fort Lauderdale CF is the Inter Miami CF reserve team, as such that is an indication that he is expecting the team to work out a way to keep him outside of a Designated Player contract. It would be surprising if he spent much, if any, time with the reserves. The team will be playing South Georgia Tormenta in the opener on Saturday but Pellegrini is not expected to be available.

MLS said that it will be announcing sanctions on Inter Miami CF shortly. There’s no precedent for this in MLS, but there are rules in the National Football League. A team going over the cap there is fined up to $5 million and can have all draft picks cancelled. That seems too small in this case, the team gained 24 points from the time Matuidi joined the side so it wouldn’t be completely out of the realm of possibility that Miami gets a 24 point deduction. In reality though MLS will issue a hefty fine and will pocket a hefty chunk of the sell-on fee from Pellegrini’s inevitable transfer out of the league in the summer. That would provide little deterrence to stop monied clubs from doing the same thing again, and MLS will have little leg to stand on if it doesn’t set a strong precedent here.

Photo courtesy Inter Miami CF

Orlando Pride home return dampened by Gotham

ORLANDO – Orlando Pride couldn’t make a good start count and paid the price late in the match as Gotham FC NJ/NY scored a late winner to clinch a 1-0 result in Wednesday’s NWSL Challenge Cup match. The result leaves Pride needing a big swing in the closing matches to get through to the final.

The goal came in the 79th minute through a Paige Monaghan tap-in. She was on hand at the far post to simply redirect Ifeoma Onumonu’s cross after her rampaging run down the right wing.

It was a better start for the Pride, flying out of the box in their first home match since October 2019. That press continued throughout the match as Orlando outshot the NJ/NY side 17-7 but could not make it count with Sydney LeRoux leading the way with seven of those shots.

“Extremely frustrating result. If you don’t take the opportunity to score, there is always an opportunity for the opposition to force an error or to force a focus mistake and obviously they got an opportunity at the end and finished it well. It’s important that we took a step forward in terms of we were better in much more parts of our game. The press was better at times and it was a progression in the right step for a team that’s relatively new at playing together.”

Orlando Pride Head Coach Mark Skinner

The score could have been worse, in the 12th minute Gotham had a penalty awarded but Ashlyn Harris came up big for Orlando to make the save, one of only two she made in the match.

Instead of waiting over 500 days, the next home match for Orlando Pride is only a seven day wait, the Pride will take on Washington Spirit at Exploria Stadium on Wednesday, the last match at home for the NWSL Challenge Cup.

Photo courtesy Orlando Pride

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