Midfield, Gallese, young players looking sharp

With a 3-1 victory over Minnesota United on Thursday, Orlando City punched its ticket to MLS is Back Tournament final. It was a massive milestone for a club that has never qualified for the MLS playoffs. Here are three things we learned from the win:

1. Midfield can win in a dogfight

The Lions have played prettier matches this tournament. Minnesota was tough. The Loons were scrappy. They played hard and fast. And they brought more pace through the wings than any other matchups that outside backs Ruan and João Moutinho have faced so far this tournament.

So it wasn’t the same level of dominant and smooth play that Orlando City fans might have become accustomed to during the tournament. The teams were precisely even in their on-ball possession and there were periods when the Loons’ high press was effective in pinning the Lions deep.

But time and again, Orlando City fought through the press and battled to win the match through the midfield.

The entire midfield showed its ability to grit through a difficult game. Mauricio Pereyra won the majority of his matchups with Loons midfielder Ozzie Alonso and created space and movement for his teammates. The defensive midfield duo maintained its consistency as Uri Rosell completed 85% of his passes and Sebas Méndez completed 88% of his passes. Midfielder Júnior Urso entered in the second half to provide further muscle and creativity.

The midfield showed its ability to create agile, aggressive play in transition. Each time the Lions were buried in their own attacking third during a Minnesota onslaught, the midfielders used the seconds after reclaiming the ball to turn and launch a dangerous counter.

This tournament has shown the Lions’ versatility. If the midfield can continue to adapt and challenge opponents in this way, it will provide a solid foundation for the team moving forward.

2. Gallese worth every penny

Orlando City coach Oscar Pareja said it best — the addition of goalkeeper Pedro Gallese has given the Lions a sense of heightened security. This tournament has been a showcase of the new level the Peruvian keeper brings to the Orlando City defense.

The full-team defense has been strong enough that Gallese has never been asked to stand on his own to keep the Lions afloat in a match. During the tournament, he’s averaged only 2.7 saves per game despite the fact the Lions allowed just five goals in six games.

But it’s not about the quantity; it’s the quality of Gallese’s saves that has been game-changing.

This was clear against Minnesota. The Loons took numerous shots, but most of them were forced and a touch wild, typically knocked off target by the disruptive Orlando City defense. As a result, Minnesota finished with 17 shots and only placed three on frame.

Gallese saved two of those three on-target shots. All three, however, would have bested many goalkeepers in the league.

The most challenging came halfway into the second half. A shoving match broke out in the box after Minnesota earned a free kick in dangerous territory from a hotly contested foul. Gallese had to leave his goal line to pull teammates away from the scuffle, which lasted for several minutes.

It was the perfect situation for chaos to ensue. And the following free kick was perfect — curling up into the top right corner. But Gallese scrambled, launched himself upward and punched the shot away.

A goal at that point would have completely changed the tone of the match.

Gallese doesn’t need to average double-digit saves to be a worthwhile acquisition. He just needs to make one or two saves of that quality each match. His lockdown presence in goal continues to serve as the base of the team’s defensive confidence. 3. Young players set up for success

Nani earned the headlines for his pair of dazzling goals in the first half, but it was second-year homegrown product Benji Michel who landed the final punch of the night.

With the final seconds of stoppage time ticking down, Michel broke away with a pass from Urso and sprinted at a screeching pace toward goal. The way he scored reflected the growth of the young striker during the past year.

When Tyler Miller came out to challenge him, Michel softened his speed for a moment, changing direction and picking the perfect angle to dodge the keeper. He showed similar patience in taking his shot, using an extra half-second to square his hips to goal before firing.

It was a high-caliber goal from a young player and it showed the investment the club is continuing to place in its youth.

Orlando City is providing its young players with the tools and the time on the pitch they need to grow. This will only benefit the Lions — now and in years to come.