The

desperately needed a goal. They hadn't scored in two games, and the Red Bulls' offense failed to provide a goal early on against Orlando City on Wednesday night. Finally, in the 37th minute, the Red Bulls received a goal from an unlikely source: Defender

.

Lade flew into the box, smashed a shot into the upper 90 and leapt into the arms of teammate Mike Grella. It was Lade's first career MLS goal, and his goal helped the Red Bulls to a 2-0 victory over Orlando City on Wednesday night.

"Every time I get a question about Connor [Lade], I love gushing about Connor," Red Bulls coach Jesse Marsch told reporters after Wednesday's game. "He's just the kind of guy every coach loves to have. He'll do whatever it takes. He'll fight for his teammates."

Marsch sat back, and a quizzical look washed over his face when a reporter mentioned Lade's feat during the post-game press conference. Marsch was surprised, but he was equally happy to hear that Lade notched his first MLS goal.

In part, Marsch's reaction is because Lade is a surprising type of player. Lade is all of 5 feet 7 inches -- he's the second shortest player on the Red Bulls -- and an unsuspecting viewer wouldn't expect Lade to bring toughness and tenacity to every game.

Red Bulls supporters know better.

Chicago Fire forward David Accam elbowed Lade in the face during the Red Bulls' May 18 game against the Fire. Lade received about seven stitches and he played the entire second half. Lade played three days later and sported, in Marsch's words, a "Rambo headband" against New York City F.C.

Stitches and toughness aside, Lade provides the Red Bulls with an offensive punch at the outside back position. Lade leads all defenders on the Red Bulls with 12 shots, and he lurks further down in the attacking third compared to most defenders.

Lade waited more than 68 games, but he finally broke through with his first MLS goal on Wednesday night.

"I'm glad my first goal wasn't an own goal," Lade told reporters after Wednesday's game. "It's a long time coming. I'm just glad to get that weight off my chest."

Connor Lade was a three-time all-county and all-state player at Morristown High School. (Jim Pathe | The Star-Ledger HSSports)

Lade was a three-time all-state selection at Morristown High School and enjoyed a successful four-year run with St. John's University, but his MLS career has been filled with dips and turns.

Lade started 22 games for the Red Bulls in 2012 but he started only two games in the following season, and he was eventually loaned to the New York Cosmos in 2014. Lade struggled for MLS minutes and was loaned to New York Red Bulls II.

Red Bulls defender Chris Duvall suffered a season-ending injury in 2015, and Lade replaced Duvall and has started 24 games since that point.

Lade is one of the key pieces that has held the Red Bulls' injury-ravaged defense together in 2016. Now, Lade can add his first MLS goal to his list of accomplishments.

"It has been up and down, for sure," Lade told reporters after Wednesday's game. "It was a definitely a special moment that I'll always remember. I'm all smiles, now."

Lade and the Red Bulls will go on the road to face the Philadelphia Union on Sunday, and then they will play against New York City F.C. at Red Bull Arena on July 24.

Daniel Falkenheim may be reached at DFalkenheim@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @Thefalkon. Find NJ.com on Facebook.