Molino scores hat-trick, Orlando City thrash Dayton Dutch Lions

(Courtesy of OCSC)

By Mike Gramajo

LAKE BUENA VISTA — There’s no stopping Kevin Molino - Not even the Dutch Lions. 

Molino recorded his second hat-trick of the season, as Orlando City SC defeated the Dayton Dutch Lions 7-0 on Sunday evening at the ESPN Wide World of Sports. 

“All the goals were important tonight,”said Orlando City head coach Adrian Heath. “The kid (Molino) is putting goals to his game now. The only thing lacking in his game is not scoring enough goals. He’s changed so much since he’s been with us, now he’s scoring goals.”

The Trinidad and Tobago international wasted no time in putting OCSC in front, scoring six minutes into the game after forward Giuseppe Gentile found the midfielder to strike the ball past Matt Williams. Gentile would get on the scoresheet to double the lead in the 37th minute before Molino scored his second moments later after a defensive error lead to Molino striking the ball from close range into the net. 

Heath opted to have a different lineup compared to his previous one last Thursday, which saw the Lions fall on the road. That wouldn’t matter, as a combo-play between Gentile and Molino found Austin da Luz to make it 4-0 in the 47th minute. Molino capped his hat-trick in the 57th minute after Gentile’s shot deflected off Dayton’s goalkeeper, finding Molino to strike past Williams. 

“We want to win the regular season,” added Heath. “We put ourselves in a good opportunity to win the regular season, which to me is really important.” 

Molino leads USL PRO in the Golden Boot with 19 goals (record), while Orlando City extending their unbeaten run at home to 16 games. OCSC will travel to Legion Stadium on Wednesday to rematch the Wilmington Hammerheads. 

Orlando City could clinch the regular season on Wednesday with a win over the Hammerheads before returning for their last match of the season when they host the Richmond Kickers on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET. 

Preview: Orlando City vs. Dayton Dutch Lions

(Courtesy of Orlando City)

By Mike Gramajo

Orlando City SC could go 11 points clear in the USL PRO standings, and set a new club record of 15 matches unbeaten when they visit the Dayton Dutch Lions on Sunday at 3 p.m. (WATCH HERE). 

Orlando and Dayton have yet to meet this season, but last played in a 3-3 draw at Miami Valley (Ohio) on July 2013 which saw OCSC squander their one-goal lead toward the end of the match. 

And while OCSC are riding a 14 match unbeaten streak, within that run the Lions flow a five-game winning streak. Kevin Molino, who leads USL PRO in scoring with nine goals, hasn’t scored in his last three league matches, however, he did score a hat-trick during a 3-1 home victory over the Charlotte Eagles back in May. 

Forward Dennis Chin, who picked up a hamstring injury last month, has since returned to action, playing minimal minutes. Corey Hertzog will more than likely get the nod to start from Adrian Heath after finding his scoring touch after notching two goals in his last three games. 

Although the Dutch Lions aren’t having their best season to date, they do have one of the leagues top scorers in Aaron Schoendeld whose eight goals has him in the fourth spot for the Golden Boot. Dayton currently sit in 13th place in the standings with 11 points, while posting one victory in their last five matches. 

Despite playing last Friday in a 0-0 draw against Brazilian side Sao Paulo FC during an international friendly, Orlando City’s last competitive match resulted into a 5-2 defeat against MLS side Colorado Rapids during U.S. Open Cup play last Tuesday. 

What are some score predictions heading into Orlando’s road game? Comment below with your answers. 

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