Kreis pleased with players’ emotions
Orlando City coach Jason Kreis wasn’t worried about the consequences of the Lions’ physical matchup with the Philadelphia Union Saturday night.
Five yellow cards, extensive shoving and pushing, emotions rising.
That’s been the trend the past two times the Lions and Union have met, and it seems like that’s what to expect when the Eastern Conference sides meet in the future.
Orlando City (2-0, six points) walked away with the victory to remain undefeated at home after showing physicality on the field can sometimes be required to push for three points. At least Kreis thinks so. “I do like the emotion,” Kreis said. “I do like that it was a hard-fought affair; I do like that it was an intense game. Whether or not I like the yellow cards, I can’t control those because I don’t referee.”
The past two games Orlando has played against the Union have resulted in nine yellow cards between the teams.
Carlos Rivas, who delivered an assist to Cyle Larin on the opening goal, was booked with a yellow by head referee Fotis Bazakos in the 28th minute for not retreating after Antonio Nocerino initially fouled Union midfielder Alejandro Bedoya.
C.J. Sapong, who scored Philadelphia’s lone goal, isn’t surprised the last two meetings with Orlando were physical. The Union striker spent some time on loan with the Lions during their 2013 USL season while he was with Sporting Kansas City.
“I think we’re just two teams that play a similar style,” said Sapong. “We’re two teams that kind of emulate the mindset of the cities we play in. Clearly here you feel the atmosphere and how the fans get behind the players … it gives them a little bit more bite.
“In Philly, that’s the type of game we play as well, so it’s always going to be a physical battle with us two.”
The Professional Referee Organization announced earlier this year it would emphasize enforcement of select offenses throughout the MLS season. One of the offenses referees are focusing on is dissent, which is what led to Orlando City centerback Jonathan Spector getting booked in the 82nd minute.
Spector said after the game the team expected a physical night.
“They played more direct, so it’s always going to be more physical,” Spector said. “From the start of the game and start of the second half, we were pretty direct as well until we sort of calmed down and were able to settle in and play a little bit more in the back.
“We knew it would be physical because the style that they play. So that’s part of it. We stood up to that physicality and our quality showed when we had the ball and we got our goals.”
Other players booked during Saturday’s match included Union defender Oguchi Onyewu and midfielder Haris Medunjanin in the 28th minute and 80th minute, respectively, for unsporting behavior. Orlando City midfielder Matías Pérez García was also booked in the 80th minute for unsporting behavior.