Lineups:
Coach Oscar Pareja threw us off with Duncan McGuire starting and “El Toro” Muriel waiting on the bench. The lions as well lined up with Santos instead of Kyle Smith, the Lions wanted to be play offensively vs. Toronto. Unfortunately, the changes in the second half did not work for the lions in this game.
In the first half, Orlando and Toronto evenly split momentum. Toronto had some transitions that seemed to come with certain danger, and Orlando as well had a few that they should’ve capitalized, especially Facundo Torres with two great chances in the dawn of the game. Brekalo re-injured himself, and Rodri Schlegel came in to save the day. Orlando maintained possession but did not connect to created danger off the wings. Also, Orlando’s midfield exerted tons of pressure on Toronto in transition, making it tough for Toronto to control possession. The issue here is that Orlando, with the ball, kept turning it over. Additionally, Orlando City does not attack vertically, but they overpass the ball constantly and lose it easily. But, in the 37th minute, Duncan McGuire stunned Inter&Co Stadium with a golazo off a Facundo Torres assist. Gomis was kind and careful not to stop Duncan this time; otherwise, Toronto’s CB would’ve gotten a red card. The Wall erupted. In the 41st minute, Bernardeschi had a shot from distance that almost leveled the game. Thankfully, the ball went slightly wide. Orlando City could’ve ended the half up by two. On the death of the first half, after an outstanding cross by Ojeda, Duncan McGuire stunned Sean Johnson with a banger that went in, but he was slightly offside. The referee called it off.
Stats of the first half:
In the second half, both teams came out swinging. Orlando City seemed to have the clear path to score a second goal. Gomis and Toronto’s defended erratically and there were several instances the referee could’ve thrown out at least a second yellow to Toronto’s center backs. It did not happen. Until minute 62, the second half was all Orlando. Toronto has come near but the backline has delivered. Great game by Rodrigo Schlegel, he did not miss a beat and Prince Owusu was non existent. In the 72th minute, Facundo Torres came close with a shot from distance after a Muriel assist, and Sean Johnson came up with a huge save. In 80 minutes, Orlando City seemed they had this game under the bag. Oscar Pareja made two substitutions that cost Orlando the game. Muriel and Kyle Smith indeed gave fresh legs but, unfortunately, they allowed for Toronto’s attackers to gain momentum. Kyle had a tough time marking Bernardeschi and Muriel was more in tuned to attempt to score his first goal in the MLS, and not working defensively with the rest of the team, like Duncan McGuire usually did in the first half. As well, Orlando City turned over the ball constantly, making it easy for Toronto to go into transition and go for the win. In the 87th minute, Spicer silenced The Wall and leveled for Toronto. And two minutes later, in the 89th minute, Owusu scored a banger of a goal after a wonderful assist from Bernardeschi. The fans were visibly upset and took on their frustrations online, with some asking for Oscar Pareja’s head and with pitchforks in hand, demanded answers.
Orlando City will be back at Inter&Co Stadium on May 4th to face Cincinnati in another thrilling must win home game.
Until then, Vamos Orlando!
