At last… a win for Orlando City Soccer
Not since July 14 and a 2-1 home victory over Toronto have Orlando City Soccer fans been able to celebrate a win. Exactly 99 days have passed since this phenomenon last hit town and in that time the team has managed to lose 11 games and draw 3, with the most porous defence in MLS history conceding 31 goals and scoring just 14.
It was no wonder that Lions fans celebrated after the last home game of a wretched season. It was an unusual sight to see happy fans as they wandered away from the stadium for one final time in 2018.
The game itself was low on quality but had it’s entertaining moments.
Federico Higuain opened the game’s scoring with a superb free-kick in the 54th minute. Following a foul on Pedro Santos just outside the penalty box, Higuain curled the ball over Orlando’s three-man wall and just inside the near post. The tally marked Pipa’s sixth of the season and 54th of his career.
The Lions then responded and won a penalty three minutes later following a handball in the box that Yoshimar Yotún nonchalantly chipped over Zack Steffen in the Crew goal to level things up.
The game decider came deep into added time as substitute Chris Mueller was pulled down inside the right side of the box. Captain Sacha Kljestan stepped up for his sixth goal of the season and to secure a valuable three points as he slotted the ball home to the right hand side.
After the game Lions head coach James O’Connor said, “Obviously delighted to get the win. I think it was a great performance today to try to win something for the players and especially for the supporters. It was very important that we gave a good performance and got three points. I’m pleased that we were able to do that.”
The Lions close the 2018 season on Sunday, October 28, when they visit the New York Red Bulls. Kickoff is set for 4:30 p.m. ET at Red Bull Arena.
Lineups/Substitutions:
Orlando City SC – GK Adam Grinwis, D Mohamed El-Munir, Lamine Sané, Shane O’Neill, Scott Sutter, M Uri Rosell, Carlos Ascues (Amro Tarek 58’), Yoshimar Yotún, ⓒ Sacha Kljestan, Will Johnson (Chris Mueller 72’), F Dom Dwyer
Substitutes Not Used: GK Joe Bendik, D Donny Toia, M Cam Lindley, Tony Rocha, Josué Colmán
Columbus Crew SC – GK Zack Steffen, D Milton Valenzuela, Gastón, Sauro, Jonathan Mensah, Harrison Afful (Héctor Jiménez 75’), M Wil Trapp, Artur, Pedro Santos (Patrick Mullins 88’), Federico Higuaín, Niko Hansen (Edward Opoku 66’), F Gyasi Zardes
Substitutes Not Used: GK Jon Kempin, D Josh Williams, M Ricardo Clark, Eduardo Sosa
Attendance: 23,642
More photos at www.FloridaLeisurePhotography.com
