Martin Ojeda delivered a goal and two assists while Alex Freeman and Luis Muriel added a goal and an assist each when Orlando City overwhelms the DC United 4-1 on Saturday night.
Orlando (2-2-1, 7 points) was dominant through and scored two goals in each half. Even with the lead after interruption, Lions played aggressively and constantly generated chances against DC goalkeeper Kim Joon Hong (three rescues).
Orlando’s superiority was such that its goalkeeper Javier Otero (four rescues), who made his first MLS start, was barely challenged.
The lone goal for DC (1-1-3, 6 points) came in stoppage time on a heading from Lukas MacNaughton.
It was the third straight decisive victory for Orlando over DC, including two last year when the Lions surpassed the black and red 8-2.
Orlando’s defense entered the match after handing over 10 goals, as band Toronto for the most allowed this season. But Lions bottled up last year’s MLS Golden Boot winner Christian Benteke, whose lonely shot came in the 54th minute.
It was another match where Orlando’s three designated players continued to stand out. In addition to Ojeda and Muriel, Marco Pasalic had a spectacular transition goal and shot a left foot in the upper left corner for a 4-0 lead.
It was the fourth goal this season for Pasalic. Ojeda has produced three goals and three assists, while Muriel has two goals and three helpers.
Orlando took the lead in the 21st minute when Muriel led a cross from Freeman to the upper left corner.
In the 44th minute, when DC failed to clear, was uneven at the top of the penalty box and fired a low, left-footed shot that was diverted in the right post for a 2-0 lead.
Orlando took a 3-0 lead in the 50th minute when Freeman led a cross from Ojeda on a set.
-Field level media
