Grateful Méndez back with Lions
Playing with Ecuador’s national team was a ‘beautiful experience’
Orlando City midfielder Jhegson Sebastián “Sebas” Méndez returned from national-team duty last week and was immediately thrust into the game-day 18 for the Lions.
He played 31 minutes against D.C. United, despite having started two matches for the Ecuadorian national team on March 21 and March 26.
One of those friendlies was against the U.S. men’s national team at Orlando City Stadium. He played a full 90 minutes in that match, which the U.S. won 1-0.
“It was important because it was my home, my team,” Méndez told Pro Soccer USA through a translator. “It was an honor to play here in Orlando. We didn’t get what we wanted, but it
The other friendly was a 0-0 draw with Honduras. The appearances were Méndez’s sixth and seventh for Ecuador.
Coach James O’Connor said he has “big decisions” to make regarding his lineups with international players back in full training after missing some time with their national teams. Canadian centberback Kamal Miller also missed time.
Both players were in the 18 against the Colorado Rapids. Méndez started and Miller was on the bench.
“[Méndez is] someone who we obviously have great admiration for,” O’Connor said. “Any time a player represents his country, we take great pride in it. Even for young Kamal, to go away with the Canadian national team, to be involved in that scenario at that level. We take great pride in all our players who go away with their national teams.” was a beautiful grateful experience.”
Family atmosphere
O’Connor has stressed the importance of not buckling under pressure since the start of the Lions’ preseason training.
Centerback Lamine Sané said the team’s family atmosphere has held firm so far this season, which has helped it recover from some rough patches. Sané has been praised by the team’s younger players as a leader.
“For sure, for sure,” Sané said regarding the team’s family vibe. “It’s not [like] we lost two games and now you’re going to change my mind. I can feel it. Just this morning in the locker room and on the field right now. We enjoy. We are like a family. For me, it’s very important when you want to go a far way and win the championship, you need this ambiance.”
Méndez, who is in his first season with the Lions, agreed.
“It feels like a family,” he said. “No other place will really bring you in like a family, but we work hard every day. We’re a family, we’re united team.” and we play
OCB falls again
like a
Orlando City B fell 2-0 at home to Toronto FC II on Friday and — for the second week in a row — ended a match with 10 men on the pitch.
“We played with 10 players for 45 minutes again and the other team wasn’t a bad team,” OCB coach Fernando Jose De Argila Irurita said.
“We had many opportunities with 10 players, but when the ball does not go inside the net, we don’t win the game. The players are very young, they work hard and have to be proud of themselves. It’s not good to play again with 10 players because it’s very demanding.”
OCB’s Emmanuel Hagen sent off in the 46th minute.
OCB (0-2-0, 0 points) hosts Tormenta FC at 5 p.m. on Sunday at Montverde Academy. It will be OCB’s third-consecutive home match. was