WASHINGTON ā For all the chatter that Dom Dwyerās move to Orlando City SC might force Cyle Larin out of the picture, both continue to find room in Jason Kreisā starting XI.
The same couldnāt be said for KakĆ” on Saturday night.
Kreis opted to play Giles Barnes in the attacking midfield role behind Dwyer and Larin against D.C. United, relegating an eligible KakĆ” to the bench for the first time since early June.
The result, a 2-1 victory keyed by that attacking trio that snaps an eight-match winless stretch, suggests the former Ballon dāOr winner could see more time in a subās role.
āI wanted to see those three players play together, to be honest,ā Kreis said of his decision. āI just really wanted to see if we could go with what I thought was a little fresher legs and a little bit more athleticism in this game.ā
Somewhat against the run of play, Dwyer provided the service on Larinās 19th-minute opener at RFK Stadium. Then Barnes pounced on a D.C. defensive mistake to double the visitorsā lead nine minutes later.
"It keeps defenders honest," Larin said of the lineup. "Because Giles was making runs behind the defense and able to get the ball in front of them. ā¦ And Iām able to drop and get the ball too."
KakĆ” eventually came on as a 77th-minute sub and helped Orlando survive a crazy finish that included ejections to the Lions' Servando Carrasco and Seb Hines, Kofi Opareās goal for D.C. and more than 10 minutes of stoppage time.
Seven of Orlandoās nine wins have now come either when KakĆ” comes on as a sub or doesnāt play at all. But Kreis said the main consideration for his decision was only what he saw on the practice field since last weekend's 4-0 loss at New England.
āThe whole week we were trying to make a decision,ā said the Lionsā boss. āAnd thatās the way weāre going to be, thatās the way weāre going to operate now, going forward. That we wonāt make decisions on lineups until we feel like we have to.ā
Dwyer is still in search of his first goal since his midseason trade from Sporting KC. But he at least contributed his first assist by picking out Larin with a cross from the left. Meanwhile, Larin has scored twice since Dwyerās arrival, both while the newly-naturalized US international was on the field.
āIāve been saying it for a while,ā Dwyer said. āI really believe that we can have a really strong partnership. Weāre still learning from each other and still growing. And weāre taking good steps tonight.ā
Said Larin of Dwyer: āHe gave me the assist and I scored, but there were a couple other plays where I gave him the ball and he couldāve scored.
āI think itās getting better and better each game. The more I play with him, the more I know what heās going to do.ā