ENJOYABLE END Orlando City snaps drought, gives fans win in home finale
At long last, Orlando City’s supporters could truly celebrate.
And Orlando City’s players could breathe again.
It doesn’t erase the weeks of prior futility, but it was enough to put smiles on the faces of Lions players battling through Orlando City’s worst MLS season.
Sunday, in front of an announced crowd of 23,642 in Orlando City Stadium, the Lions got a win. It was their first win since a 2-1 victory over Toronto FC on July 14 and only the second of head coach James O’Connor’s short tenure with the team.
Orlando City (8-21-4, 27 points) defeated the Columbus Crew 2-1 thanks to a penalty kick from midfielder Sacha Kljestan in the sixth minute of second-half stoppage time in the Lions’ home finale.
O’Connor said the performance is what he’s been looking for when he’s spoken about commitment and intensity from the team.
“I think that would be the expected behavior that I’m speaking about,” O’Connor said after the match. “That level of commitment. I think, for a lot of the guys, I think it’s been tough. I make very high demands and I have very high expectations of myself, first and foremost, so when you go through what we’ve gone through, I look internally first.
“I look at what I should have done and what I could have done. My messaging. And then I want to make sure there’s good understanding of what we’re trying to do.”
He added Sunday’s match was a “snippet” of what he wants to see from Orlando City next season.
“Genuinely, I think when you’re on a run like that, we’ll speak about relief, but you can’t put into words, really, if I’m being honest,” O’Connor said regarding winning after going three months without a victory. “It’s pleasing to get that, but again, we’re looking at next year and we’re thinking… that level of commitment is what’s needed for next year.”
The first half of the match was a chippy affair.
The two sides combined for 11 fouls, though the match clearly turned in the 33rd minute after Columbus Crew centerback Jon-