Lions eager to face Timbers after long break
Orlando City wants to beat the reigning MLS champion Portland Timbers, of course, but there could be an upside if they lose.
“Last year, we won against them, and they won the league. So, if we lose and then we win the league, I’d prefer that,” Lions team captain Ka
ká said laughing. “I’m kidding. They are the former champions, so it’s going to be a very good game for us. Last season we played against [L.A.] Galaxy and they were the former champions and we played very good, so this year I think it will be the same.”
Kaká will make his season debut when Orlando City (1-0-2, five points) returns from a 16-day break from competition to face Portland (1-1-1, four points) at 8 p.m. Sunday at the Citrus Bowl. The time off coincided with an international window, during which multiple Orlando City starters left to play with their respective national teams. Midfielders Kevin Molino (Trinidad and Tobago) and Darwin Cerén (El Salvador), along with forward Cyle Larin (Canada), returned to the club Thursday after representing their countries in World Cup qualifiers. Starting defender Tommy
Redding is back, too, having played with the U.S. U-20 national team in the Dallas Cup last week.
“Obviously nice to be back at the Citrus Bowl,” Orlando City coach Adrian Heath said. “Playing the defending champions give us a big incentive for the weekend. They’ve got a lot of physical tools, a lot of pace in the team.
“We know it’s going to be a very difficult game for us, but one I think we’re all really looking forward to.”
Orlando City is prepared for a Portland team that may enter the game with added determination, seeking revenge for Orlando City beating the Timbers 2-0 last April in Oregon.
The Timbers also regained key international players this week, six of them, including U.S. men’s national team midfielder Darlington Nagbe and Nigerian forward Fa
nendo Adi. They continue to play without team captain
Liam Ridgewell, who is out due to a hamstring injury.
“They have a chip on their shoulder, and a lot more pressure to perform,” Orlando City ’s Brek Shea said. “They’re a good team and they’re a confident team, having won last year.
“I know them, and I know a lot of their players. We just have to be ready.”
The time off helped injured Lions get back to full strength: Kaká, Antonio No
cerino and Carlos Rivas, to name a few. A healthy squad with its leader back will be helpful against Portland’s size and physical strength. The 6-foor-4 Adi led the Timbers in scoring last season and, like
Larin, has three goals in his first three games.
In the middle, the Lions’ back line will be focused on intelligent and crafty players Nagbe and Diego Valeri, who Heath said is one his favorite players in the league.
“It is the defending champions and you have to give them the respect they deserve, we always do, but we don’t fear anybody,” Heath said. “This team doesn’t need to fear anybody, we’ve got enough talent to beat anybody in the league.”
Hall to D.C.
D.C. United announced Friday it has signed former Orlando City goalkeeper Tally Hall after he spent two weeks training with the team.
Hall started 23 games for Orlando City last season, recording 73 saves and a 1.78 goals against average.
After Hall suffered a torn meniscus during the penultimate game of the 2015 season, the Lions opted not to exercise the veteran goalkeeper’s option.