- Orlando City made the biggest sensation so far at the MLS is Back tournament as they eliminated LAFC in the quarterfinals.
- The Lions were better after a penalty shootout 5-4, with the regular 90 minutes ending, 1-1.
- Orlando equalized in the last minute of the regulations.
- Two Portuguese players, Joao Moutinho and Nani, were in the middle of attention.
City Shocks LAFC
Days after avenging the last year’s elimination by beating the Seattle Sounders, the LAFC suffered a hard slap in the face. The no.1 candidate for winning the MLS is Back tournament was again prevented from reaching the finals. This time, Orlando City was better than Bob Bradley’s guys, ousting them after a penalty shootout.
“We just didn’t do enough all around the field,” disappointed Bradley Wright-Phillips said following the match. “We weren’t alert enough. Our reactions weren’t great.
Wright-Phillips was the scorer for LAFC during the regular 90 minutes, which were by the way one of the worst LAFC played in recent times. The black and gold didn’t do anything in the first 45 minutes, as they ended that part of the match without a single shot towards the goal.
On the other side, Orlando was motivated, ready to fight, and was constantly creating problems for the LA team. Kenneth Vermeer was under pressure, unlike his colleague from the other side.
The second half started in the same way, with Orlando dictating the tempo, and they had a fantastic chance to snap the lead. The Lions’ right-back Ruan entered the box, and Diego Palacios brought him down. There was no need for thinking, and the referee awarded a penalty kick.
Yet, Nani missed it. To be precise, Vermeer saved his shot.
Four minutes later, once the stopwatch showed exactly one hour of play, LAFC made its first shot on goal, and they scored. It was Wright-Phillips who hit the back of the net following Diego Rossi’s assist. It is honest to say that they didn’t deserve that goal, but everything came to its place in the end.
An equalizer arrived in the 90th minute, with Nani taking a corner-kick, and the other Portuguese international, Moutinho, reacted well beating Vermeer. It was a shocker for the LAFC’s players who couldn’t believe what hit them.
Orlando Impeccable in the Penalty Series
All five Orlando’s penalty takers were ice cold in the shootout. Moutinho, Mauricio Pereyra, Kyle Smith, Antonio Carlos and Nani beat Vermeer. Nani took the last, decisive shot, which sealed LAFC’s destiny.
Jordan Harvey was the only one who missed on the opposite side. Ginella, Rossi, Rodriguez and Blessing all scored.
“I think today the heart of the Orlando players is what secured our objective, because they had an idea, but they executed it with an amazing spirit. It makes me happy, and it’s an honor to coach them,” said Oscar Pareja, Orlando’s head coach.
Orlando’s next game is on August 6 at 8 pm ET, and the opponent is yet to be decided.
