Orlando City prepare for first game following loss of Kevin Molino
ORLANDO — With Kevin Molino now out for the season with a knee injury Orlando City SC will have to quickly turn their focus to last year’s MLS runner-up New England Revolution on Friday at the Citrus Bowl.
Orlando City could likely go with Brek Shea in the midfield, as head coach Adrian Heath has called him a “ready-made” replacement for Molino, while Luke Boden stepping in at left back.
While losing Molino is a big blow for a team that has struggled to score at home, Shea and Boden are quality players at their respected positions and between Shea’s knack for attacking and Boden’s accurate left footed crosses into the box which are very important in coach Heath’s offense.
“Obviously there’s been a lot of talk about it on social media when Brek stepped in and you had Luke Boden behind him,” said midfielder Harrison Heath after training on Wednesday. “I think them two did really well together, so that was one positive maybe to take from a negative and hopefully them two can sort it out and get a really good connection going.”
The Lions have scored one goal over four home MLS matches this season and have gone 0-1-3 at the Citrus Bowl during league play so far this season.
Orlando City will have their hands full with the Revolution as the have three U.S Men’s Nationals on the squad including long-time veteran Jermaine Jones and young talent such as Juan Agudelo.
“We know that they’re a good team,” said Heath about the club’s upcoming opponent. “But I think if we do what we are set out to do and stay tight as a team and defend well I think we’ve got every chance to get a result.”
The game against the Revolution will be the first of three matches over the course of 10 days for the Lions. Orlando will travel to D.C. for a Wednesday matchup following Friday’s game and then will return home to take on defending MLS champion L.A. Galaxy on Sunday, May 17.
Orlando City and New England will face off on Friday, May 8 at the Citrus Bowl with kick off scheduled for 8 p.m. EST.