Martin Ojeda delivered a goal and two assists while Alex Freeman and Luis Muriel added a goal and an assist each as Orlando City overwhelmed visiting D.C. United 4-1 on Saturday night.
Orlando (2-2-1, 7 points) was dominant throughout, scoring two goals in each half. Even with the lead after intermission, the Lions played aggressively, continually generating chances against D.C. keeper Kim Joon Hong (three saves).
The superiority of Orlando was such that its goalkeeper Javier Otero (four saves), who was making his first MLS start, was barely challenged.
The lone goal for D.C. (1-1-3, 6 points) came in stoppage time on a header from Lukas MacNaughton.
It was the third straight decisive victory for Orlando over D.C., including two last year when the Lions outscored the Black and Red 8-2.
Orlando’s defense entered the match having surrendered 10 goals, which tied Toronto for the most allowed this season. But the Lions bottled up last year’s MLS Golden Boot winner Christian Benteke, whose lone shot came in the 54th minute.
It was another match in which Orlando’s three designated players continued to excel. In addition to Ojeda and Muriel, Marco Pasalic had a spectacular transition goal, firing a left-footed shot into the top 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 headed a cross from Freeman into the top left corner.
In the 44th minute, when D.C. failed to clear, Ojeda was at the top of the penalty box and fired a low, left-footed shot that was deflected inside the right post for a 2-0 lead.
Orlando took a 3-0 lead in the 50th minute as Freeman headed a cross from Ojeda on a set piece.
–Field Level Media
