There are not many times a team is happy with a 1-0 defeat, but Orlando City SC expressed enormous satisfaction with their trip to Brazil to play Flamengo in a prestige friendly, despite losing on the only goal of a historic game.
As an occasion, as a learning experience for the Lions’ younger players and as an exercise in expanding the OCSC brand, it ticked all the boxes for the franchise from Central Florida as they became the first American club team to play at the famous Maracanã Stadium as part of Flamengo’s 120th anniversary.
And 55-year-old head coach Adrian Heath insisted he had got a lot out of the trip, despite seeing Bryan Rochez miss a first-half penalty and his team lose to a deflected 68th-minute free-kick that went in off Darwin Caren.
“If you’re my age, playing at this cathedral of football is a great honor,” he said. “When I grew up, this was a special place, and it still is today. I’m pleased for the players, because they’ve enjoyed it, and I’m pleased we gave a good impression of Orlando City with the fans here.
“It was one of those things that came from our organization and the Brazilian connection with our ownership group and Kaká. It’s a big market for us and I know we’ll be here again in the next few years. For us to come and play such a historic club as Flamengo, it was terrific for everybody involved. The guys were really excited about coming to Rio and hopefully we can do it again.”
City certainly gave a good account of themselves without their three big internationals Kaká, Brek Shea and Cyle Larin. Adrian Winter won the first-half penalty that Paulo Victor saved from Rochez, and they came close several times in the closing stages, notably from their ‘other’ Brazilian, Pedro Ribeiro, who was inches away with one powerful low shot.
“Since we heard about this trip, the whole team has been really excited to come to Rio, to come to Brazil,” he confirmed. “Most of the guys had never been here before, let alone played in the Maracanã, and I feel like it’s any soccer player’s dream to play here. It’s very important and very humbling to be able to play on such a stage.”
Heath was also delighted his team was competitive, despite not playing since the 1-0 defeat at Philadelphia on October 25 to end their first MLS season.
“Firstly, I was just pleased with the way we played,” he explained. “Some of these guys haven’t played for three or four weeks now but we came out ready to play and I thought we put in a good performance. I’m actually quite disappointed we didn’t at least get a draw out of the game.
“Before the game, we would probably have settled for that scoreline but, having played the game, I thought we left a little bit out there. I thought we could certainly have got a draw out of it and could even have won the game on another day.”
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The Orlando head coach was equally bullish about the value of the long out-of-season flight to South America, with young players like Rafael Ramos, Cristian Higuita, Harrison Heath, Ceren and Rochez all getting useful playing time, while City also gave a trial to 20-year-old Benfica B goalkeeper Thierry Graça.
“There were some very pleasing aspects,” Heath added. “Some of the younger guys have done well again, and overall it’s been a great trip and I’m very proud of the performance. It was important we gave a good impression of ourselves, and the club should certainly be proud we’re the first team from America to come and play at the Maracanã.
“It is a very special arena and one of the most iconic stadiums in world football. We’ve now played four games against Brazilian teams and have enjoyed every one. It is a great football nation and I know it is a great education for our guys to come and play against top players like they have done today.”
