Orlando City coach James O’Connor ran out a traditional 4-3-3 formation vs. Vancouver, resulting in an 88th minute game-winner.
Hours before each Orlando City game, I wait with bated breath to see the unveiling of the lineup. It’s become almost a weekly guessing game as to whom coach James O’Connor is going to name in his starting 11.
Before Saturday afternoon’s match against Vancouver, the Lions had played seven games this season and used just one formation — the attack-minded, yet unbalanced 3-5-2 featuring a bunch of different names.
I understand wing-backs, capable of pushing the ball up the sidelines is a tactic that allows the midfield to control more of the possession in the middle of the pitch that hopefully translates to effective deliveries into the box for the forwards to place shots on net.
However, after seven matches, Orlando City was just 2-3-2, and their backline was exposed, allowing 13 goals because a wing-back up the field, pushed into the offensive zone of the pitch often leaves you susceptible to the counter-attack. Hence the three losses and only one clean sheet.
The reason Orlando City used wing-backs
Perhaps because O’Connor knows that his starting backs, Ruan and Joao Moutinho are more skilled with the ball at their feet rather than defending it at this point in their young careers — that the Irishman has been reluctant to alter his tactics.
Well, following a 2-to-1 loss to Real Salt Lake on April 13, where Orlando City was outplayed for all but the final 10 minutes of the match, O’Connor realized there was no time like the present to go to a more traditional 4-3-3 formation.
With Nani manning his traditional leftwing, Dom Dwyer alone up top, and the electric pace of super-sub Chris Mueller on the right flank, O’Connor took a page out of the great Netherlands teams of past.
Therefore Uri Rosell was deployed as a central defensive midfielder, thus dropping Moutinho and Ruan down to a back four, closer to OC’s 18-yard box.
For a pure 3-5-2 to work, the defense needs three equally talented stout defenders, that are capable of keeping forwards out of the box and making them play uncomfortably near the midfield. Right now, Orlando lacks three such men.
The new formation worked
The simple answer is yes because Orlando scored in the 88th minute to seal the win.
However, if O’Connor decides to stay with the 4-3-3, it will take time for the starting 11 to become a cohesive unit — getting the most out of a setup that I believe, makes the best use of the talent on the pitch.
Positives aside for just a moment, Orlando needs to avoid running into each another lanes, limit the number of times they push the ball out wide — which is counterproductive in a 4-3-3, and decide if Dwyer is capable of playing as the sole striker.
Small but mighty, Dwyer performs at his best when he receives quality service that results in time for him to set up his blistering shot.
On Saturday, his presence went mostly unnoticed, touching the ball just seven times, resulting in one shot, while completing 60 percent of his passes and failing to win a single aerial battle.
Being alone on an island has exposed Dwyer to a certain extent, as he often takes one too many dribbles — thereby shooting out of position and forcing balls off target.
For Orlando to be considered a true playoff-worthy club, Dom must capitalize on his chances — more so than he has so far.
Possession and passing
To Orlando’s credit, they held possession of the ball for 61 percent of the match and took 16 shots on net. However, only four of those balls were actually on target.
Luckily, Rosell and Jhegson Mendez excelled in their roles. Rosell led the club with 101 touches, dictating play with 89.7 percent completion of his 97 passes.
The 21-year-old Mendez completed 92.8 percent of his 69 passes while leading the team with three interceptions.
Without much of an attack to speak of this season, (six goals scored) Vancouver did all they could to play on the retreat, and keep as many men in their box as possible (five in the back), making it difficult for Orlando to find an open lane to shoot from.
Luckily, it was 10-year MLS veteran Sacha Kljestan that came on in the 76th minute to provide the necessary spark.
The breakthrough came 12 minutes later when Kljestan received a ball from the cutting Ruan. Kljestan turned and fired a shot on net that just so happened to deflect off the leg of Nani for the goal.
In only 15 minutes, Kljestan completed 20 passes.
Nani’s been worth every penny
As for Nani, he notched his fourth goal of the season, to go along with four previous assists in 567 minutes of action.
Though Nani is capable of playing both wings — and as a second striker, you could tell he was truly at home on the left flank.
Another terrific afternoon was on full display, as the 32-year-old Designated Player completing 47-of-57 passes, 3-of-5 dribbles, 10 crosses, won two fouls, created four chances and racked up 87 touches.
Currently sitting in fifth place in the Eastern Conference, Orlando City will look to secure another three points against NYCFC on Saturday, April 27 at Yankee Stadium.