Orlando City SC 3, New England Revolution 1 | 2016 MLS Match Recap

Arielle Castillo

Going into this match, fans were following so. Many. Storylines. Sunday night marked the first Orlando City game with new head coach Jason Kreis at the helm. It also marked the return of superstar Kaká, fresh from MLS All-Star duty, but missing from several previous matches thanks to injury.

And then, on the Revs’ side, there was the bombshell news released earlier in the weekend that fan favorite Charlie Davies had secretly fought and beat liposarcoma – and was back available as a sub. Oh, and there was the little worry for Orlando about striker Kei Kamara.

And worry them he did. Though Orlando played in a familiar 4-2-3-1 and pressed hard, a bounce at 19’ let Kamara make a dangerous break from midfield, and slot the game’s first goal past Orlando ’keeper Joe Bendik.

But the press continued, and after the second half started, the Lions stopped the Revs’ road celebrations. Just 50 seconds in, Cyle Larin lobbed a left-footed rocket inside the far post to equalize – and at the 64th minute Kevin Molino happily headed in a cross from Brek Shea. And then, just to add some extra insult to injury, Molino made it a brace at the 83rd minute. He outsmarted the Revs’ defense, easily slotting home a ball from Kaká and making Jason Kreis' first game in Orlando a victory.

Box Score

20’ – NE – Kei Kamara (Kelyn Rowe)
46' – ORL – Cyle Larin (Kevin Molino)
64' – ORL – Kevin Molino (Brek Shea)
83' – ORL – Kevin Molino (Kaká, Luke Boden)
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Three Things

LARIN LEADS IT OFF: One of Canada’s finest exports continues to shine. Also fresh off All-Star duty, Larin’s performance on the night notched his 11th goal of the MLS season. It also ended the Revs’ 273-minute shutout streak, which dated back to the first half of the Revs’ 3-1 win over Columbus Crew SC on July 9.
MOLINO MAKES MAGIC: Molino remains one of MLS’ most underrated, quiet threats – he had a hand in all of Orlando City’s goals during the match, assisting on Larin’s equalizer before his own brace. Sunday’s performance now gives him nine goals and eight assists for the year.
DAVIES DEFIES ODDS: Not only did Charlie Davies announce a successful battle against cancer, but he also successfully made it back onto the pitch with his team, subbing in for Scott Caldwell in the 75th minute. Though he couldn’t singlehandedly save the Revs on the night, he showed reason for future hope, managing a left-footed volley at 90’ that went just over the crossbar.