ORLANDO, FL – Orlando City SC (12-10-6, 42 points) defeated the Seattle Sounders (10-15-3, 33 points) at Exploria Stadium on Wednesday night with a late goal for the 3-2 win.
The Lions, who have never defeated the sounders in their history, have been on a roll as of late, with three straight last minute goals (Against Charlotte, NYCFC, and now Seattle.)
Tonight, Orlando came back from a 2-0 deficit for the victory.
After a delay of lost two hours due to a lightening delay, Seattle’s Albert Rusnak was able to put in a free kick, getting it over the Orlando line for the score in the 26th minute.
then, early in the second half, Rudi Ruidiaz got on the board when Jordan Morris took a shot from the end line, which Gallese blocked, but it fell to Ruidiaz’s feet for the score. in the 52nd minute.
Orlando fought back, beginning with a goal by Fecundo Torres quickly after the Seattle goal. Facundo took a pass from Jay Montinho and blasted it into the top right corner of the goal.
Ercan Kara, a late substitute for Orlando, Took a penalty kick, called for a hand ball against Seattle in the 68th minute. It was Kara’s 10th goal of the season.
Kara calmly slotted the ball past a diving goalkeeper from the spot and into the bottom right corner of the net for the equalizer. This is redemption for Orlando, as Mauricio Pereyra failed to convert a penalty kick earlier in the match, driving it straight into the arms of a diving Feir.
For the second straight match at home, an Orlando Player stepped up at the time of need, and soccer in stoppage time. Kyle Smith drove the endline and cut the ball back on his left foot. He then sent in a missile of a shot towards goal that was deflected off of a Seattle defender and over the goal line.
The goal was initially called off, but VAR revealed that the bal went off of the stomach of a Seattle defender, making the score an own goal against them. Smith ultimately got credit for the winning score.
Oscar Pareja’s Post game comments.
The Match was also the first start for Nicolas Gioacchini, who’s skill was evident, but seems to still need some time to get his footing with the team.
Iván Angulo also debut for Orlando and was an active pelayer and a lost of the pass transitions.
The Lions return to the field on Wednesday, Sept. 7, set to host the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final with a matchup against Sacramento Republic on the docket. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. ET at Exploria Stadium in front of a sold out crowd.
