By Official Florida FC
Another two-loss matchday for Florida’s MLS clubs. Orlando City is above the red line in the Eastern Conference by the thinnest of margins. Meanwhile, only goal difference is keeping Inter Miami from propping up the entire Eastern Conference.
D.C. United 3, Orlando City 1
Duncan McGuire is quickly becoming the focal point of the Lions attack.
The 22-year-old rookie scored in his second straight start on Saturday night at Exploria Stadium. His 25th minute equalizer allowed Orlando City to recover from a disastrous opening goal.
The problem is, a club that spent nearly $13 million over the last 18 months to acquire creative players shouldn’t have to rely on someone who was a college student six months ago. Even if that someone was a MAC Hermann Award winner.
McGuire has three goals in 267 minutes in all competitions. Ercan Kara and Facundo Torres, the two forwards who are on Designated Player salaries, have combined for two goals in 857 minutes across all competitions.
Of course, it doesn’t matter what McGuire, Kara and Torres do if the Lions give up goals they way they did on Saturday.
Taxi Fountas opened the scoring in the 15th minute. D.C. United went from the feet of its target forward inside his own half to the back of the Lions’ net in five touches. D.C. United center half Donovan Pines bullied the Lions to meat a header at the near post in the 52nd minute. Christian Benteke’s 62nd minute goal, meant D.C. United wouldn’t give away a lead as it did when these two clubs met in March.
Houston Dynamo 1, Inter Miami 0
Inter Miami did everything right except score.
Houston relegated the Herons to a sixth consecutive loss on Saturday night in South Texas. Inter Miami more than doubled Houston’s expected goals – 1.4 to 0.6 – but, couldn’t put anything past MLS veteran Steve Clark.
Inter Miami’s defense is good enough to compete for the postseason. It’s attack would get the Herons sent to the USL Championship if U.S. Soccer ever implemented a pyramid.
Inter Miami has scored just six goals all season. And neither Leo Campana nor Josef Martinez have any of them.
The Herons have conceded nine goals in nine matches. That’s one fewer goal than FC Cincinnati, one of the two leaders in the Supporter’s Shield race.
