When Orlando City
hosts the Philadelphia Union on Wednesday, the starting back line will look a little different because of team injuries.
Orlando City’s starting back line will look slightly different when the Lions host the Philadelphia Union Wednesday night at Camping World Stadium.
Right back Rafael Ramos and centerback Seb Hines both left Saturday’s 2-1 victory over the Montreal Impact in the first half due to injuries. Ramos pulled a hamstring and Hines aggravated a knee injury that kept him out of the previous game.
“Rafa’s got a slight hamstring tweak and Wednesday will be too early for him,” Orlando City coach Adrian Heath said. “It’s not as bad as we first feared. Seb’s got
National call-ups giving Pride a different look. C6
a problem with his knee, which will certainly rule him out on Wednesday. Still a little bit too early to decide how long it’s going to be for him.”
Heath said Tommy Redding and Kevin Alston, who subbed on for Hines and Ramos, respectively, likely will start against Philadelphia. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. and the game will air on WRDQ-Channel 27.
Redding and Alston performed admirably against the Impact, which led the Eastern Conference at the time. Philadel-
phia now holds that spot.
Redding has started almost every game this season, but he recently was sidelined in favor of David Mateos. Alston has seen playing time in just two games, but Heath said he is not worried.
“I thought Tommy and Kevin Alston did really well when they came on,” Heath said. “I’ve got no issues with them. I think they’re more than capable of coming in and doing a very good job.”
The injuries also mean young defender Conor Donovan may make an appearance on the bench Wednesday. Donovan, 20, tore his ACL last August in his MLS debut against Philadelphia. He has been training with Orlando City and has had minutes with Orlando City B this year.
Fan arrested after win
A fan was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct after rushing onto the field in an attempt to get close to Kaká after Orlando City’s match against Montreal.
Nicolas Varon, 20, approached Kaká from behind and grabbed his arm before police quickly intercepted the overzealous fan, according to a club spokesman. Officers handcuffed Varon and took him to Orange County Jail. He posted a $250 bond shortly after.
“He was just saying, ‘I love you. I love you. I love you,’ ” said Orlando City vice president of communications Diogo Kotscho, who was standing next to Kaká at the time. “The police were so quick, it was maybe three or four seconds.
“It’s common. It happens. Every year we have one or two [incidents]. It’s the first time I saw it here, but in Europe and Brazil, it’s common. At the end of day, the guy was just trying to show his love, of course not in the best way.”
Kaká approached the fan after he was restrained, patted him on the shoulder and gave him a hug.
Heath said when fans rush the field after a match, it usually isn’t sinister, but safety precautions need to be taken because violent incidents have occurred at sports stadiums around the world.
After Hibernian beat Rangers F.C. in the Scottish Cup final Saturday, fans rushed the field and assaulted the losing team’s players. A player for a regional division Spanish team was stabbed by a spectator after a match in March, according to a report by the Associated Press. A suicide bomber killed nearly 30 people at a soccer stadium near Baghdad that same month, and a bomber tried to enter the Stade de France as part of the November terrorist attacks in Paris, among other incidents.
“You’re always a little bit worried when somebody comes on because you’re never quite sure how they’re going to react,” Heath said. “Are they coming on in a friendly manner? I’m sure it’s something the security people have looked at and they’ll probably take closer measures to curb that type of behavior.
“[Kaká’s] been used to it all his life; people coming on and trying to take selfies and get close to him, but, as per usual, he handled it in a perfect manner.”
Lions earn MLS recognition
Kaká and goalkeeper Joe Bendik were named to MLS’ team of the week for their performances during the 2-1 victory over Montreal Saturday. Forward Cyle Larin also was recognized, selected to the team-of-theweek bench.
Kaká secured two assists, setting up both of Larin’s goals. Bendik collected six saves in yet another commendable performance this season.
Barry leads OCB to a victory
Orlando City players on loan helped Orlando City B (3-5-2, 11 points) beat the reigning USL champion Rochester Rhinos (4-2-2, 14 points) Sunday night 2-1.
Former UCF player Hadji Barry scored both goals for OCB, his first of the season. Donovan played a full 90 minutes for the first time since returning from an ACL tear he suffered last August. The other MLS players to see time were defenders Tyler Turner and Devron García and forward Richie Laryea. Forward Bryan Róchez also was on the bench.