Orlando City score three goals, earn first win of season

Kevin+Molino+scored+his+first+goal+of+the+season+during+Orlando+Citys+3-1+win+over+Rochester.

Bryce Brimhall / Valencia Voice

Kevin Molino scored his first goal of the season during Orlando City’s 3-1 win over Rochester.

Kevin Molino and Rob Valentino both scored their first goal of the season, while leading Orlando City SC to 3-1 victory over the Rochester Rhinos on Saturday at the ESPN Wide World of Sports.

Despite earning their first win of the regular season, Orlando City head coach Adrian Heath was not all to happy with his club’s performance.

“I’m pleased that we won the game, I’m pleased that we scored three goals,” said Heath after the game. “I’m not pleased with the way we played. I thought the first two games of the season we played a lot, lot better than we did tonight.”

Orlando City got on the scoreboard early thanks to a goal from Kevin Molino in the 3rd minute of play. Molino’s goal came on the rebound after Corey Hetzog’s initial shot was blocked by Rochester goalkeeper Luis Soffner.

Valentino extended Orlando City’s lead to 2-0 in the 35th minute when he scored off of a failed clearance by the keeper, which he buried into the back of the net.

“When we’re up there, that’s our time to shine,” said Valentino about the defense scoring goals in back-to-back games. “It’s not common to score goals, but that is our job, if I’m up there that’s my job.”

Rochester was outshot by Orlando 8-4 during the first half of play, as Orlando City went into the locker room leading 2-0 after the first 45 minutes.

Rhino’s forward J.C. Banks cut Orlando City’s lead to 2-1 in the 54th minute when he took advantage of a Aodhan Quinn turnover and tucked one in past Orlando goalkeeper Miguel Gallardo for the goal.

Dennis Chin supplied the dagger in the 75th minute, when his goal extended Orlando’s lead to 3-1 lead when he tapped a chance into the goal just three minutes after coming into the game as a substitute.

“At the end of the day three points will be all that matters looking back in September or August,” said Valentino following the game. “Whenever the playoffs come down, getting three points right now is vital.”

Orlando finished the game outshooting Rochester 14-9, while the Rhinos only managed two shots on goal for the match.

With the win Orlando City’s record improves to 1-0-2 with 5 points for the season and 7-0-1 all-time against the Rhinos.

“We want to win both trophies and we will win both trophies.” said Valentino about the club’s goal this season.

Orlando City will now have a week of training before taking on the Charleston Battery on Saturday, April 12 at the ESPN Wide World of Sports. Kick-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

“If we play like that next week we’ll get beat, guaranteed.” said Heath about Saturday’s performance.