Pride v Crew

Orlando is hosting a team that has been very bad away, this coupled with a loud home crowd should help them in a big way. Last two times these two got together, the Crew gave away two goal leads, losing the most recent go ‘round in ORL.

First corner goes to Crew, they go into the area and the GK gets it unmolested and a break as it is played through to the next GK. Hard early foul gets a talking to at 5’. Deep throw for the Crew, now by the center circle bottom now to the GK, 70 yards given away. 25 yards out, a professional foul no caution? Crew will I think go on goal. A trio over the ball, now just Cucho into the wall. Cartagena called again at just 12’. Angulo speeding down the line feeds Torres who puts it high a much wasted opportunity. Foul again on Cartagena at midfield, the DFK goes to Cucho but straight at Gallese. Rossi taken down roughly and a card is issued to Schlegel. Crew with too many touches in the area and it gets cleared away. Too many touches by Angulo, why seek the contact, take the shot. It was a risky tackle from behind, the no call, the only call. Crew with numbers, Rossi stopped by the Peruvian GK of Orlando. A ball in from he Crew played over the end line. Played short, then into the area, the GK more than up to the task as he picks it out of the area. The talking heads are praising the long break and the players looking fresh and the coaches approving of it, so much attention and traction was lost over this. Camacho and McGuire tangle Comacho wins the wrestling match and a caution for his efforts. Rossi, just wide but a very dangerous shot from a mid range. Followed by another by Morris from well beyond the area forcing the GK into a one handed save at the left post. Morris must be very confident today to have a go from such a distance. Miscommunication with Crew as one leaves it and the other stays still has it at midfield now. Hard foul by Crew lead to another by Orlando and both teams have players down and ref with a long chat. No cards, could have been one each way. Too many touches in the area again, no shot by the Crew, one cannot score otherwise. Rossi & Cucho and it is wide by the latter on a well taken first time shot. Less than 5’ to play and it begins to rain harder. Orlando passes just beyond the area, play one in and it goes too far, back in and a corner is won at 44’. Perrira takes it, they have but one goal from such plays. It goes to Torres who absolutely skies it. Caution to Amundsen in the extra time of the first half.

Both teams need simply to get shots off, neither are, the feeling out part has passed, you also played of late, get to it. Orlando pulling a Miami and coming out far later than the other team.

A long ball from the GK gets into the area of the Crew for a toe poke giving a corner less than a minute in. McGuire blocked, a first time shot off a volley is wide. Pressure by Angulo partially blocks a long kick by the GK but is a throw in going against him now. Cartagena finally carded. A 2v2 ends with McGuire not playing the ball for fear of being offside. Crew with a lot of good movement, 2 players in the same space it is lost, then regained very fast. Ojeda in for Cartagena. McGuire does not go at Camacho with a caution already turns back and it is out of touch. McGuire gives it away Rossi and it’s in the ORL area Jansen blocks an in close shot, Ojeda leads the charge the other way, it is lost then recovered fast and into the Crew third of the field. Rossi in on goal from a ball off the right wing, slowed by the defender and is blocked into the hands of the GK. Rossi goes way high from the top of the arc. Araujo carded. Enrique in for McGuire and Urso for Pereya. Last game of the season for one of these teams and for the 2nd time two in same place, this one costs Orlando a break and they have to go back a good 50 yards. Enrique makes a run, gets hit in the back with a ball over the top. From the far right wing, a ball over the top is out for a corner from Camacho defending it. Rossi getting forward and off goes Schlegel for last man DOGSO, Rossi had nothing to lose on the run and got a player sent off with 13’ to play, I am sure it goes over 15 with extra time. Might that have been the game for Orlando? A very hopeful bicycle kick goes very over the goal. Carlos for Angulo and Santos gives way to Smith in the 83’. Crew are holding the ball with the advantage but doing nothing with it. Morris not carded but gets pushed after a hard foul. Played into the area cleared a bit Orlando holds and loses It near the end line. 6’ of injury time. 2’ left. Poor clearance falls to Torres, feeds Ojeda and he is just wide. We are headed to a pair of 15’ halves.

Rossi for Ramirez on a through ball knocked away. 3’ in Ramirez puts the Crew up 1-0. They held the ball got in on goal and second time found the back of the net. Nagbe is down and no card yet. Orlando in and on goal just beyond the 6, kick save and a beaut for the Crew. 104’ yellow on Orlando.

Orlando has to take risks here. They get forward from the word go and another goal saving play by the GK. Crew with a go on goal, save Gallese. Ojeda to Enrique at the neear post he is standing on his head what a great save. It is 2-0 as Gallese is way off his line, a 50 yard goal by the Crew struck by Cucho is he disputing the yellow? He took off his shirt it’s an automatic.