Sports

Lions Earn 3-3 Draw Against New England, Overcome Two-Goal Deficit

Sep 14, 2019; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando City forward Nani (17) celebrates a goal during the first half against the New England Revolution at Exploria Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

ORLANDO, Fla. (Sept. 14, 2019) – Orlando City SC (9-13-9, 36 points) played to a 3-3 draw with the New England Revolution (10-10-10, 40 points) on Saturday night at Exploria Stadium. The Lions overcame a two-goal deficit, including one own goal, to earn a point in the match.

Nani was involved in each of the Lions’ three finishes on the evening, finding the back of the net in the 22nd and 54th minutes, respectively to secure his third brace of the year. Dom Dwyer scored his sixth goal of the season in the 47th minute, with Nani recording the assist on the finish.

“Obviously incredibly proud of the second half performance.” said Lions Head Coach James O’Connor “It was incredible when you look at the guts and you look at the quality, on another night we end up winning it. I think to be 3-1 down and then come back out second half and fight like that, the players deserve enormous credit.”

It was a rough start for Orlando, and as as been their tendency, they started off with allowing a goal to their opponent.

In the 15th minute, a cross from Gustavo Bou deflected off the foot of Tesho Akindele for an own goal.

Orlando did have Mauricio Pereyra on the pitch after a two game absence and he helped set up a tying goal, earning an assist on the Nani goal in the 23rd minute.

Before the end of the first half, New England managed goals from Cristian Penilla (35′) and Gustavo Bou (41′) to head into the locker room with a 3-1 lead.

Dom Dwyer managed his sixth goal after flicking a ball from Nani into the net in the 4th minute.

Nani followed in the 54th minute with Nani taking it himself, toying with New England defenders at the edge of the area before sending a shot in with his left foot into the right side of the net. 

Despite the exciting draw, the Lions needed the three points. This results drops them lower in the Eastern Conference playoff standings.

The draw dropped the Lions to the No. 10 spot in the conference, four points away from playoff contention.

The team will next take on the Houston Dynamo on the road next Saturday.


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