ORLANDO, Fla.- Adrian Heath has made no secret of the fact he views the US Open Cup as a huge target in Orlando City’s first season. He was delighted to discover in Tuesday’s 2-0 Round-of-16 win over Columbus Crew SC that his players do, too.
That was the biggest takeaway for the Lions' head coach from a hard-working performance that was ultimately the reward for Heath fielding his strongest possible lineup.
“Most of all, I was very happy with the players’ attitude and desire to win,” Heath confirmed after the game, which was highlighted by a stunning Carlos Rivas strike for the young Colombian’s first goal from open play this season (he scored three penalties in Orlando's fourth-round win over Charleston).
“We have spoken about this from the very beginning when we sat down and set out our goals for the season, and I think Kaká’s performance said it all. I was going to take him off after 70 minutes, but he didn’t want to come, and that shows the desire this team has.”
Brazilian ace Kaká scored the first-half opener for the Lions and did eventually take his bow in the 86th minute, but his non-stop efforts epitomized the team’s clear mission to go all the way in this competition. They have now equaled their previous best performance – as a USL team in 2013 – and goalkeeper Tally Hall agreed that the players are totally in sync with their coach.
“You could see how important this game was to the team,” he insisted. “Columbus are a really good, well-organized team, and they created some issues for us, but I thought our guys worked extremely hard tonight.”
Hall singled out center back Sean St. Ledger for a memorable performance, including a thrilling goal-line clearance off a Kristinn Steindorsson shot at the start of the second half with City protecting their 2-0 lead.
“I think Sean’s been phenomenal for us,” Hall said. “He’s quick to back you up, and obviously he’s smart and technically good. On that shot, I turned round to watch the ball hit the back of the net, and he just came flying in. It was a well-played shot, and it was a very special save from him.
“That could have changed the game. Instead it turns out to be a comfortable 2-0 win for us. But make no mistake — that goes in, and the entire game changes.”
Kaká was also delighted with both the team performance and his ninth goal of an increasingly impressive season as the team’s leading Designated Player.
“My confidence is increasing,” he said. “Now I know where I can play. I’ve found my place on the field. The team now has created an identity, and now I can play more in the position I like the most. This is giving me more opportunities during the game to be more effective, and I feel happy every time I score and help the team.”
