Ortiz, Mustangs return to M2 stage with a bang, downing Omaha Kings in season debut

Chicago’s return to Major Arena Soccer League play was a big success Saturday night with a 10-5 win over the Omaha Kings FC, and the Mustangs will look to make it two in a row Sunday afternoon when they take on the undefeated Cleveland Crunch.

Adrian Ortiz was the unquestioned “Man of the Match” as he contributed half of Chicago’s goals. His five-score outburst started early in the second quarter to give Chicago a 3-1 lead, and he added four more in the second half, two of them coming when the Mustangs were a man down due to penalties. 

Each team had 18 shots on goal, with Chicago’s Leo Acosta netting a hat trick as part of his four-point game. Nathaniel Enriques and Adrien Graffin got the other Mustang markers.

For Omaha, Both Ali Sodal and Daniel Zuckweiler had two goals each. After trailing 4-1 at intermission, the Kings climbed to within 6-4 in the third but could get no closer. Andy Rodriguez got the other Omaha goal.

Chicago is now 1-0 and will showdown with the Cleveland Crunch this afternoon in Chicago while Omaha, who had originally planned to play at the M3 level this season but was granted provisional M2 status this spring, falls to 1-5.