Orlando City Closes Season With a Big Win

Orlando City fans will be wondering where this winning team was all season.

In the final game at Camping World Stadium, the Lions had an impressive win against Eastern Conference Rival D.C. United, winning 4-2. This was Orlando’s first win at home since August and they played with a fire within the team that put fans on their feet.

Four different players were on the score sheet for Orlando with the first goal coming by way of Kevin Molino in the 13th minute. Brazilian playmaker Ricardo Kaka found Rafael Ramos with an over-the-top pass, putting Ramos in on-goal. Ramos controlled the ball, picked his head up, and slid the ball into the path of Molino who tapped it in the back of the net.

Just Tap it in. Give it a little tappy, tap-tap-taperoo!#ORLvDC | 1-0 pic.twitter.com/qiJpkj8rTi

— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) October 23, 2016

Despite being mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, Orlando City’s pride kept them going throughout the full 90 minutes. They constantly attacked the net by moving the ball out wide. The second goal for City came from an individual effort by Kaka in the 21st minute. Kaka showed off his flair using some clever moves inside the box to free up a yard of space to get his chip-shot away, hitting off the far post and nestling into the back of the net.

.@KAKA with the chip, it's all in the hips. pic.twitter.com/WBn3UnTcrC

— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) October 23, 2016

The Lions would go on to add two more goals as they beat D.C. United 4-2.

Not only did this game mark the end of the MLS season for Orlando, but it was also the final game in Camping World Stadium that the Lions will play. Forever. Which is a good thing because now fans will look forward to their new home a few blocks away as Orlando City opens up their new, soccer specific stadium next season.

Next year is seen as “the year” for Orlando. With their new coach, Jason Kreis, having a full off-season to assess the team from top-to-bottom and allowing him to make adjustments to the squad during the transfer window period there is a sense of optimism around the organization. The Lions were disappointed by narrowly missing the playoffs this year. With the addition of two more teams to the MLS next spring, it will be harder for Orlando to make the top six.

Orlando finishes the season with 41 points and in the eighth position – just missing the playoffs by a point.

After a wild #DecisionDay, here is how the regular season finished.

Standings: https://t.co/WEUlNC04UJ pic.twitter.com/aUGyLsDbv1

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 24, 2016