Sports

Dom Hits 100, Orlando City Holds on for 4th Straight Win

Photo Credit: Marty Jean-Louis

The Orlando City Lions defeated the San Jose Earthquakes 3-2 last night in front of a sold out crows (attendance: 25,527) at Orlando City Stadium. It was Orlando’s fourth straight win, and third straight at the stadium. It was also the night when Dom Dwyer scored his 100th professional goal (Including time with Sporting KC and the USA National team).

Lion’s striker Chris Mueller scored the franchise’s fastest goal, hitting the back of the San Jose net in a record 63 seconds.Yoshimar Yotún launched a cross-pitch ball for Mueller to chest down before turning the corner and rifling the ball into the roof of the net. It was Mueller’s third goal in three games and the earliest goal in City history, 35 seconds earlier than Kaká’s penalty kick on April 17, 2016 against the New England Revolution. giving Orlando a 1-0 lead.

In the 35th minute, Yotún played a through ball for Mueller, who drove into the box and unselfishly laid it off for Kljestan to tap in. It was Kljestan’s second goal as a Lion and gave him four consecutive games with a goal or an assist. It was Mueller’s first professional assist.

Photo Credit: Marty Jean-Louis

Dwyer got his centennial goal in the 69th minute when Meram, who came on nine minutes earlier, found Dwyer in the box. Dwyer took a touch around Quakes goalkeeper Andrew Tarbell and slotted home his fifth goal in four games this season.

San Jose made things interesting when they scored on two corner kicks in the 78th and 90th minutes to pull within one.

City’s victory was the first for either team in the all-time series. All three previous meetings against San Jose ended in draw.

In celebration of Earth Day, both teams wore adidas Parley jerseys as part of MLS’ league-wide Greener Goals campaign, which were made of recycled ocean plastic waste. It was the second year that City took part in this initiative.

“Another night I think the fans got their money’s worth; another night the coach gets a few more grey hairs,” Lions head coach Jason Kreis said. “But really, really pleased, obviously with four wins in a row. Really, really pleased with three wins in a row at home and I think we’re moving in a very positive direction.”

Next up, City heads to Colorado to take on the Rapids on Sunday, April 29. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. ET and will be nationally televised on ESPN. The Lions return to Orlando City Stadium on Sunday, May 6, to host Real Salt Lake at 5 p.m. ET.

 

 

 

 

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