KISSIMMEE–Soca Warriors midfielder Kevin Molino scored a goal and assisted on another as Orlando City SC gained its first win of the USL PRO regular season on Saturday night, in a 3-1 victory against the Rochester Rhinos at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Arena in Florida.
The win against the Rhinos continues the Lions' unbeaten run against Rochester, as City have never lost to the upstate New York-based club in three years (7-0-1).
Molino, an attacking midfielder missed am early strike from inside the area in the first minute, but eventually put the Lions up 1-0 in the third minute with a comfortable finish from a Tyler Turner cross.
With the early goal secured, the Lions looked more relaxed and began playing well. The three attacking midfielders, Austin da Luz, Molino and Darwin Ceren were popping in and out of the freespace in Rochester's defensive third.
After coming close to scoring on several occasions, including a chance from Corey Hertzog that ricocheted off the post, Rob Valentino scored the second goal of the game for Orlando. Valentino scored six goals for the Lions in 2013 and added another to his career while wearing purple and white by calmly re-directing a well-placed cross from Alvarez.
With the momentum in its favour, Orlando came close to scoring a minute later when Hertzog had a one-on-one with Rhinos goalkeeper Luis Soffner, but the former Whitecaps striker hit his final strike directly at the 'keeper.
Orlando looked even more confident to begin the second-half, but an early mistake from Quinn gave the visitors a bit of life. Quinn attempted to play a back pass to Brad Rusin but, instead, ending up splitting the two centrehalves, and Rochester midfielder JC Banks was able to run on to it and place it past Gallardo.
On Saturday, Orlando will host the Charleston Battery, before venturing on a two-game road trip against FC Dallas and OKC Energy.