Lions are focusing on stronger finishes

It has been a frustrating couple weeks for Orlando City. After allowing Atlanta United to score a late-game goal during each of the team’s past two matches, the Lions are still searching for a way to get back above the red line in the Eastern Conference.

“I think looking back, we’ve been unlucky a lot of the times,” Lions defender

said. “And I think we had the chances last week. We did enough for a draw and we didn’t get it and I think we did enough this week for the win and we didn’t get it. So, it’s been tough but that’s just the way it is.”

While Orlando City is focused on improving tactically, the players also believe their mentality has played a large role in the team’s recent disappointing results.

“I think we just need to be that little bit more concentrated because it’s not just 90 minutes now. It’s 94, 95 minutes, so anything can happen. . . . It’s just about concentration,” Sutter said. “… Late in the game, that’s when the most goals happen, is when you need to be that much sharper because of the tiredness and the fatigue. So it’s just about dialing in on that focus, getting everything you can in the last few minutes, ’cause that’s when games can be won or lost.”

It’s not easy for a player to join a new team in the middle of the season. But after being traded to Orlando City last week, forward has already impressed his teammates with how quickly he has assimilated to his new club.

“It’s been good, it’s been really easy for him,” Sutter said. “He jumped right in. He seems like a really down-toearth nice guy, which obviously goes a long way to fitting in somewhere.”

While the Lions failed to get a win against Atlanta on Saturday, players were still impressed with Dwyer’s debut and are excited about what he brings to the club.

“Everyone knows his quality. I followed it as well, him breaking into the national team at the Gold Cup and now being part of the all-star game, it speaks for itself,” Sutter said.

“So it’s definitely a good addition to the team.”

Dwyer’s new teammates have also been thrilled to see his attitude and devotion to Orlando City.

“We know he’s player,” forward

said through a translator. “And he came to support the team, so we know that’s what a great he’s gonna continue to do.”

Orlando City is preparing for a key road matchup against the Montreal Impact Saturday without Dwyer and

who are playing in the MLS All-Star game tonight.

Their teammates, however, are not too concerned about their stars missing training time.

“We analyzed the game before training, last game against Atlanta, so those guys weren’t there but they’ll be filled in with certain adjustments that we’re gonna do for the next game,” Sutter said.

“And we’ll be rooting for them, obviously, to have a good outing in the all-star game and then look forward to having them back.”