Life on the bench isn’t easy. Not only do you need to stay mentally engaged in the match, but you have to continually stay warm on the sidelines. When your number is called, you have a quick moment to receive instruction from your coach before hitting the pitch. Then, it’s up to you to make an impact.
This season, Orlando City has had a player from the bench provide a goal or an assist in each of this season’s eight matches.
Head Coach James O’Connor has praised his players for being attentive while on the bench and analyzing the match from a different perspective, but it’s the players' attitudes that stick out to him the most.