Orlando City,
without arguably its four biggest stars, opens the preseason with a 4-0 victory.
MELBOURNE — Orlando City wrapped up the second week of its preseason training Sunday afternoon with a decisive 4-0 win over Eastern Florida State College.
The Lions played two different lineups in the first and second half and balanced one low — Carlos Rivas pulling up with a hamstring injury — with more highs, most notably a pair of goals from rookie Hadji Barry and strong performances from fellow rookie Richie Laryea and right back Rafael Ramos, among others.
It was an expected win, but it was the first chance this preseason for Orlando City to line up against an opponent wearing colors other than purple.
“It’s been a combination of a great week,” Orlando City coach Adrian Heath said. “We had a really great week down here, training has been superb. And we had a really good performance, I think the lads approached the game the right way.”
The score will matter little by today, so the most key moment of the day was when Rivas pulled up holding his hamstring in the 54th minute. The Colombian had some encouraging moments in the first eight minutes of the second half, using a few runs the team had trained on Saturday to get in behind the Eastern Florida backline before exiting with the injury.
Heath said the team hoped the injury to Rivas would not be a long-term issue.
“If it’s only a small one, which we think it is, it’s only about a week to 10 days,” Heath said.
There were some encouraging signs in the game, but none more than the quick transition the team’s two first-round picks have made to the pro level thus far. Barry scored in the eighth and 31st minutes, the first on an assist from Laryea, and the duo earned praise from Heath.
“I think it’s good for my confidence and for the team,” said Barry, the former UCF striker. “I just want to come out here and see where we’re at as preseason has been going, so I think it’s a good start.”
Stars held out of game
Orlando City played the preseason opener without arguably its four biggest stars: Kaká, Brek Shea, Kevin Molino and Cyle Larin.
Larin still has not returned from international duty with Canada. The 2015 MLS Rookie of the Year played 78 minutes in Canada’s 1-0 loss to the U.S. on Friday. Kaká was in Santa Clara, Calif., for the Super Bowl. Shea and Molino were held out of the scrimmage as they continue to work back from their respective injuries.
Shea is taking a cautious approach after rushing back from sports hernia surgery last year, while Molino has not yet been cleared for full contact in his return from ACL surgery.
“He’s nearly there,” Heath said of Molino. “He’s got a meeting with a specialist and the doctor this week and hopefully we’ll have more good news about his progress. At this moment of time, it’s not in my hands, it’s in their hands.”
Also not taking part in the scrimmage was young designated player Bryan Róchez, who has not participated with the team this preseason. Róchez was injured while playing for Honduras and remains a few weeks away from being cleared, Heath said. New signee Devron Garcia was also held out due to an injury.
It’s a frustrating setback for Róchez, who was hoping to solidify himself as the top backup for Larin this season. Róchez scored three goals in 265 minutes last season.