Millonarios Orlando is in excellent form and faced Interpark/Revolver for the first time ever on Sunday. After a very lackluster performance in the previous week the boys is blue were looking to make a statement. Although some players showed up to the match moments before kickoff, at least 11 Millos players were able to get in a proper warm-up before the contest.

Starting in goal was Sam Luedke, who has been steadily improving and growing more confident, he has been a real asset to Millonarios all season long. Securing the defense was Nick Hall and Phillip Kats in the middle, supported by Pablo Diaz and Nelson Vallejo out wide. Striker Diego Cordeiro filled in at attacking midfield in place of absent Christian Bustamante and was joined by Philip Hall in the middle. Luciano Mendieta and Jimmy Montes ran the wings for Millos. Leading the attack was Hector Espitia and Rossell Duran. Millos was missing several players and had only Taylor Moore and Addison as relief but we did have Coach Joel Kats to manage things from the sideline and keep us focused.

Millos wasn’t sure what to expect from their unfamiliar opposition but this didn’t stop them from playing strong from the first whistle to establish possession. It didn’t take long for the first breakthrough, which came from the left boot of winger Jimmy Montes. After about 15 minutes, he worked his way down the right side past a couple defenders then cut inside to set up for a shot. Montes ripped it from about 25 yards out past the keeper who was clearly mesmerized by the quality of the strike as he watched it sail past him. Millos continued to dominate the remainder of the first half and was unable to find another goal before the break. Score at the half was 1-0 in favor of Millonarios Orlando.

The second half was an even better one for Millos. They dominated more of the possession and created several scoring chances. The second goal came after some excellent work down the left side by Rossell Duran. He played a give and go with Luciano Mendieta then Duran beat a couple defenders and spotted Diego Cordeiro in the middle of the area. He crossed it in perfectly and Cordeiro buried a half volley in the back of the net to make it 2-0. Cordeiro then became the provider around the 70-minute mark. Millos worked the ball through the right side of the midfield and Cordeiro played a square ball across the top of the 18-yard box for Philip Hall. The horrific field conditions of Red Bug Park caused the ball to bounce up in the air as Hall let it roll past him onto his left foot. His timing was perfect as he unleashed a ferocious low-driven volley that the keeper had no chance of stopping. Millos had several other chances including a squandered breakaway by Taylor Moore and an open header by Nick Hall that sailed wide.

Once again Millos conceded a late goal and the final score was 3-1. They should have several clean sheets this season but there is always a defensive letdown in the waning moments, and certainly Sam Luedke deserves better than that from his defense as he has been superb all season long. In next week’s match, Millonarios Orlando face off against The Spartans, whom they defeated 3-1 earlier in the season. Millos are looking to wrap up a second consecutive undefeated campaign and will surely make life miserable for their opponents in this final regular season match.