Barnes helps Orlando City snap its winless streak

Orlando City needed a break and momentum to regain its earlyseason form. Earlier in the week, midfielder Will Johnson said the Lions might even need a bit of luck.

Mother Nature wasn’t providing any of that, sending ominous clouds, lightning and heavy rain down on Orlando City Stadium. Kickoff was delayed by 40 minutes Wednesday night and the downpour continued throughout the team’s match with D.C. United.

Fortunately, the Lions (7-5-2, 23 points) had Giles Barnes to provide energy and a goal, lifting them to a 2-0 victory over United (4-7-2, 14 points) that finally snapped a six-game winless streak.

Barnes subbed on for Luis Gil in the 59th minute, a move coach Jason Kreis made to bring physicality and generate more scoring opportunities. Barnes delivered almost immediately.

In the 66th minute, Barnes earned a free kick just outside the box and then raised his arms to the delighted announced crowd of 24,112 people. Johnson delivered the ball to the far post, where Cyle Larin nailed a header with a defender’s arms wrapped around his chest.

With a 1-0 lead and supporters woken from a rainy daze, the Lions looked refreshed.

“For me, that’s your prototypical why you make a substitution,” Kreis said of Barnes. “You bring a substitution on to change the game, to lift the energy, and I completely