Two second half goals by Kaka powered Orlando City SC to a 2-1 win over Toronto FC in preseason action on Sunday.
Jonathan Osorio gave TFC an early lead with a magnificent strike from a tough angle in the fifth minute. The Reds were the better team in the first half, with the starters that played against Orlando City B on Wednesday registering a strong showing in their second opportunity to play together.
#TFCLive Video: @OsoJ92 goes top corner vs. Orlando. pic.twitter.com/KyuvL9pA7w
— Toronto FC (@torontofc) February 22, 2016
The second half was a different story, with Orlando driving play and notching an equalizer in the 47th minute via smart build up play between Kaka and Kevin Molino. Mark Bloom was punished for fouling Molino in the box in the 63rd minute and Kaka converted the ensuing penalty.
Greg Vanney began stretching out minutes for a number of players and fatigue played a factor in the second half according to TFC’s head coach.
“We had a very solid first half. We were very organized and didn’t give away anything in terms of chances,” said Vanney. “Over the course of the second half a little bit of fatigue set in. We were a yard or two away from getting to the spots we needed to get to defensively.”
Tsubasa Endoh looked to have recorded a second goal for the Reds just before Kaka's first tally but the first round pick was deemed offside after Sebastian Giovinco sent in an excellent cross from the left wing.
Giovinco had one more prime scoring chance with a strike that was destined for the top right corner in the 78th minute. Former TFC goalkeeper Joe Bendik was able to make an acrobatic stop to keep Orlando ahead.
Vanney wants his team to take more risks going forward when in possession.
“We need to be quicker in transition and find Jozy, find Seba and find our guys ahead of the game and move forward with more conviction and speed,” he said.
TFC will play Montreal on Wednesday and Philadelphia on Saturday as part of the Tampa Bay Rowdies Suncoast Invitational. The final two preseason games will be about getting the squad match fit for the season opener on March 6 against the New York Red Bulls.
“The guys had played a few 45 minutes games, one game of 60 minutes against [the Galaxy] and here they played 45 against [OCB],” said Vanney. “You would be surprised how big the difference between 45 and 90 minutes starts to feel, both physically and mentally. That’s what preseason is all about. We’ll utilize the two remaining games to give the guys push in that way.”
Toronto FC’s final two preseason games will be livestreamed on torontofc.ca.
Scoring Summary
5' Jonathan Osorio
47' Kaka
63' Kaka (PK)
Lineups
Toronto FC: Irwin; Morrow, Moor, Perquis (67' Williams), Bloom; Osorio (67' Cheyrou), Bradley, Johnson (74' Babouli); Giovinco, Altidore, Endoh.
Orlando City SC: Bendik, Shea, Mateos, Hines, Ramos, Carrasco, Cerén, Laryea, Kaká, Winter, Larin.
Join MLS MVP Sebastian Giovinco and the rest of Toronto FC at BMO Field this season. 2016 Toronto FC Season Seats are on sale from $608 and up. In addition to Toronto FC Season Tickets, the Reds are currently on sale with TFC II Season Seats at $75.00 for TFC Season Seat Holders & $120.00 for non-TFC season seat holders. For More information head to TorontoFC.ca/tickets
