Lions gearing up for another tough slate
Days are bleeding together for Orlando City coach Jason Kreis as he prepares for the Lions’ schedule to ramp up again after a week off from competition.
“I know it’s Monday; I’ve figured out that much,” Kreis said jokingly after training. “We thought the month of May was difficult, but to me the month of June looks even more stacked with games. And if we advance the way we plan to in the Open Cup, that will throw another game in there.
“So we’re basically looking at the possibility of two games a week for the next many weeks and that just means all hands on deck. Every player on the roster should contribute in some fashion, and we expect them to step up and take those opportunities.”
The first game up is a Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup match at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday against Miami FC of the second-tier North American Soccer League.
Lineup rotation is typical in Open Cup matches — and in all Orlando City games so far this season — but Kreis said he doesn’t think there will be a need to reach further than the MLS players who already have been featured in matches this year.
“What you’ve seen over the past month is a lot of rotation and a lot of players being used,” Kreis said. “I don’t feel that we’re going to need to go past the majority of those payers to field what we think will be a very strong and stable lineup to give us the best chance to win that [Open Cup] round.
“So we need to figure out how many of those players we can rotate, how we can rotate them and which matches will be best for each individual player.”
The Lions resume MLS play on Sunday with a home match against the Montreal Impact.
Orlando City Stadium turned into more than a sports venue Monday.
People entered to honor the victims of the Pulse nightclub shooting at a permanent memorial located within in the stadium: 49 rainbow-colored seats.
Players, coaches, front office staff, fans and others affected by the tragedy gathered for the one-year anniversary. The flags on top of the stadium flew at half-mast as music played in the background.
“The response the community has shown is unbelievable,” Lions defender Rafael Ramos said. “Everyone is together for just one cause.
“The 49 seats in the stadium; we’ll always remember that day.”
Forward Alex Morgan put on an Orlando Pride jersey for her first statements since returning from a stint playing professionally in France.
Morgan, who injured a hamstring while away, is scheduled to undergo a medical exam at Orlando Health today before the club issues an update on her status and when she might return to National Women’s Soccer League play.
“After the incredibly tragic night at Pulse nightclub, we saw something amazing from the city of Orlando, from the people of Orlando,” Morgan said in a video released by the team.
“I was more new to this city than a lot of people here, but seeing that togetherness, the community really rise up above all of the bad things, above the hate, just show so much love — it was incredible to be part of that movement.”