Orlando City romps on road
Tops Cavalry FC in Concacaf Champions Cup
Duncan McGuire got Orlando City off to a good start with a goal in the 21st minute Wednesday night before Facundo Torres added tallies in the 38th and 75th minutes as the Lions triumphed 3-0 against Cavalry FC in a Champions Cup match at Starlight Stadium in Langford, British Columbia.
Orlando City outshot Cavalry 13-8 and prevailed in possession 55% to 45%.
“The match was very good and very good for our team,” said assistant coach Diego Torres. “This game was difficult with the different field, the turf isn’t comfortable for our players but their adaptability to the field was very good.
“The players and I had a promise for a clean sheet. It was very important for us, and to score three goals was good for the return leg at home.”
The Lions, who lost in the Champions Cup Round of 16 last year to Tigres UANL, will host the second leg of the series Tuesday at Inter&Co Stadium.
Iván Angulo found Martín Ojeda down the left wing and behind the Cavalry backline with a through ball to initiate the first goal. Ojeda fired a cross to McGuire at the near post for an easy finish.
Facundo Torres received a ball from Dagur Dan Thórhallsson down the right wing, dribbled across the top of the box and scored past goalkeeper Marco Carducci. Torres’ second goal came on a header via combination play with Angulo, who crossed the ball to the back post.
Orlando City will start its MLS season at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at home against Montreal.
Cavalry FC won the Canadian Premier League shield in 2023, given to the team with the best regular-season record. It scored 46 goals in 28 games en route to its first Champions Cup berth.