Orlando City faced Santos Laguna in a life or death match at Exploria Stadium for Leagues Cup. A win for the lions meant they would have to travel to Ft. Lauderdale to face Lionel Messi and Inter Miami. A loss meant elimination and another chance gone in their quest on winning another piece of silverware for the city beautiful.
On the first half, Santos came out on the onslaught to score the first one of the match. A powerful dribble fest by Vergara and Pedro Gallese had his first wonderful save of the match. Orlando then countered and Duncan McGuire had a 1v1 situation after a Pereyra assist and his shot hit the post. Duncan McGuire missed a huge chance for the lead, but Orlando undoubtedly was the better team on the field. Ivan Angulo had a phenomenal first half, the Colombian dominated the left flank for the lions and dribbled past defenders in 1v1 situations. It was quite impressive. Santos Laguna did not stay put and had some chances as well with Harold Preciado and Vergara missing open chances. Antonio Carlos saved Orlando City from impending doom. Orlando City kept attacking using their flanks and dominated possession as time went on. Orlando created several chances to be up at last by two goals, in the first 20 minutes. Ivan Angulo created most of the chances and linked up perfectly with Facundo Torres. Orlando City needed to capitalize on chances created, this Santos team was known to punish opponents if given the chance and had players that were effective on the attacking third. Defensively also Orlando’s first half was impecable. An amazing first half for Orlando’s backline that were able to contain Santos very well throughout the first half. At this point, Orlando City should’ve been up by two goals, they were the team that created the most chances. Undeservedly, Santos’ Raul Lopez scores a banger past Gallese. As the saying goes, “Goals you do not score, your rival scores on you.” Orlando’s backline started to dwindle after the goal. Minutes later, in a moment of brilliance, Rafael Santos threw a perfect cross to Duncan McGuire and the “Haaland of the Heartland” leveled the score 1-1 with a monster header. After Duncan’s goal the game became back and forth until the end of the half.
On the second half, Orlando City came out swinging. In the 46th minute a great assist by Antonio Carlos to Mauricio Pereyra and Orlando’s “Maestro” threw a rocket past Lajud and scored the 2-1 Orlando. Exploria erupted. After a controversial play that saw Harold Preciado blatantly foul Antonio Carlos in the box, Preciado scored of a header, that was allowed after VAR checked the play. The game became leveled again 2-2. After Santos’ second, they dominated attacking chances and Orlando City was able to defend as much as they could. Orlando City became a counterattacking team and saw strides of greatness coming through the flanks but still not able to capitalize on any chances. But in the death, after a phenomenal hustle play by Cesar Araujo, Wilder Cartagena scored his first goal with an Orlando City jersey and puts Orlando City 3-2 on the scoreboard. The Wall went bezerk.
Orlando City will face Messi and Inter Miami this upcoming Wednesday in Leagues Cup action.
Vamos Orlando!
