FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – It was a rough April for Orlando City SC, but despite capturing just one win in five matches, they were able to salvage something just before the page turned on the calendar.
A few minutes of stoppage time away from conceding another three points, Orlando captured a 90th minute goal through Carlos Rivas that allowed them to pick up a vital point that they hope will generate into more positive results as they proceed into May.
“We’ve had some really poor decisions go against us, that has cost us dearly,” said head coach Adrian Heath following his club’s 2-2 draw at Gillette Stadium on Saturday. “What happens is, when you don’t win, obviously it starts to ebb away at the confidence. I’m hopeful this will give us lift.”
With the draw, the club will leave a 1-2-2 mark behind them in April, with their lone win coming against the Portland Timbers on April 3.
After a tough 3-2 loss at Red Bull Arena last weekend, Heath was looking for greater levels of enthusiasm and commitment out of his group, and was pleased to get that on Saturday, especially in a place that he deems to be one of the toughest in the league to play at.
“I thought we had some really good control possession the first half,” said Heath. “Then obviously we made the changes later on to have a go at it and fortunately Carlos gave us the goal. Overall, would I have accepted a point before the game? You bet I would. I think this is one of the most difficult places in the MLS to come and play. So for us to go away with a point, after the last two or three weeks, I’m delighted.”
Twice Orlando fought back for their point, trailing 1-0 in the first half before Kevin Molino’s 30th minute equalizer, and 2-1 as the final minutes were ticking away before Rivas got a foot on the first MLS goal of his career.
“I saw it from the beginning and envisioned it happening,” Rivas said through a translator. “I’m really happy I just got my first goal in the MLS and hope to continue this trajectory.”
“At the end of a day you can kind of take a point for granted,” added Molino. “Late on in the season, that one point can take you to the playoffs. We’re happy with the tie, now and we’re looking forward to next month. It’s going to be better than this month.”
