MONTREAL It's only been a couple ofweeks thatDom DwyerandCyle Larinhave trained and played alongside one another inOrlando, but their first two matches already have some questioning whether their partnership up top for the Lions can work.

Even Orlando City SC head coach Jason Kreis was left asking questions after their2-1 road lossto theMontreal Impacton Saturday.

The question would be: Are they too similar? Kreis said. Are they two strikers that are too similar? And ultimately can they figure it out, the spaces that need to be taken? Can they do a little something different than theyre both accustomed to? I feel like Cyle probably a little bit more than Dom right now because Cyles at least been playing with two strikers all year whereas Doms been playing in a one-striker system. So, its a question of whether or not he can figure out the spaces he needs to take and the runs he needs to make.

Its clear that the understanding between the players and the movements they need to make in different situations, is still a work in progress. Against Montreal, much like against Atlanta United last week, Dwyer and Larin often made the same run, or didnt capitalize on opportunities to combine with one another.

I think that they both enjoy each other, Kreis said. I think theyre both hard-working players. I think theyre both similar in that they want to get themselves in front of the goal often. But its still a little bit of a question in my mind about the balance of that. So we continue to judge that and make decisions as we go forward.

Larin did score in the game(watch below), giving Orlando a short-lived lead in the first half, but it was mostly a solo effort in which he capitalized onan individual error from Montreal midfielder Marco Donadel.

Later, midway through the second half, Larin nearly scored a second goal, which could have proved to be the potential game-winner.It was one of Orlandos few other scoring opportunities, and a rare occasion where Dwyer was involved in the development of a noteworthy attacking sequence.

Inside his own half, Larin fed Dwyer, who was in a pocket of space in front of the Impact backline. Larin continued to make an aggressive run in behind and Dwyer, showing some of his quality attacking instincts that made hisrecent trade to Orlando such a big deal, immediately placed a ball into his path. But Larin, with the ball on his left foot and aiming for the top corner, missed the net.

Compared with their first game together away to Atlanta last weekend, a match which ended in a 1-1 draw, there arguably wasnt any noticeable improvement in the Larin-Dwyer partnership. And with Orlando below the playoff linein the East, theres definitely pressure on them to figure things out quickly.

However, Dwyer says he doesnt have the same concerns as Kreis about whether or not the duo can coexist.

I would disagree with that, Dwyer said. I wouldnt say were too similar. Obviously, were still learning. Its been a week, so maybe its too soon to call, but hes the coach. Thats his call.

While the strike pair may not be completely in sync yet, Orlandos attacking issues do not restsolely withthe forwards.

Their 4-3-1-2 formation has its strengths, but it also presents challenges: It doesnt readily offer any wide players in either the attack or midfield, and in order for it to be truly effective, it requires a great deal of movement and fluidity. The fullbacks are required to push forward and the wider center midsneed to be adept at making penetrating runs, while the attacking midfielder (in this case Kaka) is depended upon to makewide supporting runs in a flash.

None of this seems to be happeningoften enough for Orlando, resulting in attacks that quickly become very narrow and predictable. Balls are played directly to eitherLarin or Dwyer, but they rarely have enough available players to pass to, and as good as they are on the ball, they only have so much time to hold it up and wait for other players to finally get themselves into helpful, supporting positions.

In their current setup, the Lions are clearly struggling. Tactical and personnel changes may not be far behind.

Im making decisions game by game now and its about to get more crowded everywhere on the field, Kreis said. Weve got some guys in the locker room that have been left out that arent happy and its going to continue to be that way the rest of the season.

"We need to find a team thats going to win for us. Once we do, that team will stay, but otherwise were going to be looking to make changes and make difficult decisions every week.

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