Lions’ Colmán learns, improves
Earlier this month, young designated player
was left out of Orlando City’s match-day 18.
The 19-year-old Paraguayan attacking midfielder, considered a marquee signing for the Lions when he was brought to the club from Paraguay’s Primera División, wasn’t injured at the time. He was getting match minutes before the club’s game against Real Salt Lake on May 6, but a “coach’s decision” led to him being left out while Orlando City went for its sixth win of the season. It turns out, coach
made that decision because Colmán showed up 30 minutes late on match day.
“When you make those types of mistakes, you have to then show the coaches and the players, your teammates, that it was an incorrect behavior,” Colmán said through a translator. “After that, you just have to make sure that you’re leaving it all on the field to show what you can do.”
Kreis said Colmán has definitely learned from the experience. Colmán got his second start of the season on Saturday against Chicago Fire and assisted on Orlando City’s lone goal of the match — his second in two games. He also played a season-high 82 minutes.
“Another interesting case where he gets to start a match toward the beginning of the season and doesn’t really perform well,” Kreis said.
“We expressed our disappointment in that performance and then he kind of continued in a little bit of a ‘doldrum,’ I think, for him. Wasn’t training that well. We then expressed things needed to get better, felt like things were heading a really positive direction, and then he shows up 30 minutes late to a game.
“We had to discipline him and say, ‘OK, you’re out of the 18.’ Then, I think he’s even kicked on further and improved from there. His training habits have improved still, and what he’s given us in every single match has been great.”
Things on the pitch aren’t perfect for Colmán. Against the Fire, he had a clear one-on-one opportunity with Chicago goalkeeper but took a heavy touch into the penalty area, which allowed McLain to come off his line and smother the ball. COMMENTARY
Kreis has said the club is working to turn Colmán into a more complete player.
There have been flashes of a future star, though. Colmán’s ability to get around defenders with the ball at his feet makes him dangerous around the penalty area.
“In comparison to how I started the season, there’s a big change,” Colmán said. “I wasn’t playing, but I was training really hard. I was preparing myself for the opportunity. Now I have a positive rhythm. I started the last game and I hope to stay with the starting team.”
“I feel very, very good,” Colmán said. “Every day I’m playing makes me very happy. When you don’t play, you kind of feel sad and you can be hard on yourself. You always have to continue putting your head down and working hard so you can gain that opportunity and do what you like to do.”
Colmán has been learning off the pitch, too. He came to the U.S. with a backpack and a PlayStation and left his friends and family behind in Paraguay.
“I’ve grown in a lot of aspects and in many ways,” he said. “The way the coaches and players have supported me, it’s been really helpful for me.
“When you come to a different project, a different country, you have to open your horizons and it’s a big change. But my family has been very supportive. I’ve been in touch with them and my friends a lot and they’re a key part of my progress.”
After missing Orlando City's last two matches, star striker is inching closer to his return to the pitch.
Dwyer (lower body) was training off to the side on Wednesday. It was the first time since before the Lions' match against Atlanta United that he's been seen at training during the portion open to the media.
Kreis said he’s hopeful Dwyer will be available for selection this weekend — though the coach said something similar last week and Dwyer didn’t play.
Dwyer is still considered day-to-day.
“We think it’s very close,” Kreis said after training on Wednesday.
Orlando City hasn't won a match this season (0-4-1) without Dwyer in the lineup. He has six goals so far this season.
“For me it’s not about Dom Dwyer or not Dom Dwyer,” Kreis said after Orlando City's 2-1 loss to the Fire.
“There were players on the field tonight that played very well, that gave enough on most nights to win games. It’s about making the plays when it counts the most. Again, I don’t want to really say that if we have Dom in there we win the game. No, we had players out there that played well enough ... and should have been able to finish off that game.” Centerback
underwent surgery for a broken bone in his left arm on Tuesday. Club officials said the plan is for him to be available for Orlando City’s June 9 match against the Vancouver Whitecaps. Centerback
is dealing with a knee injury he suffered during training last week. Kreis said the club is going to be cautious with the injury due to Sané’s past knee issues.