ORLANDO, FL – (Aug. 28, 2022) – Orlando City SC (11-10-6, 39 points) took a 2-1 victory over 2015 expansion rivals New York City FC (13-8-6, 45 points) on Sunday night thanks to a stoppage time header by Tesho Akindele.
The win comes on a very bizarre night, with Orlando looking for it’s third consecutive win, it encountered not one but two VAR plays, which they won, miraculously and the appearance of shout you could only call a monsoon that rolled into the stadium in the first half and dumped tons of water on the pitch through the first half.
As the players tried to play through the storm, more and more water poured onto the pitch, turning it into a filed of puddles. Long range passes ended white a splash and went nowhere.
Both teams did their bestirring the flooding as the rains didn’t die down until close to the eTorres took the ball near the line, and end of the half.
Junior Ursuo opened the Lions scoring early in the match with a goal in the 7th minute. Facundo Torres assisted with an assist.
In the 53red minute, NYC Stalwart Maxi Morales drew blood when he got through the Orlando back line and caused trouble. Thiago managed to get a ball through to him, and Morales sent it in easily.
Orlando went back and forth with the pigeons for most of the rest of the game, when Tesho Akindele struck.
Orlando managed a corner in the final seconds. Iván Angulo whipped in a corner to the near post that found the head of the diving Tesho Akindele, who’s angle was perfect as the ball flew past Goalkeeper Sheaaan Johnson for the win.
It was as stunning win for Orlando who’s fans were sure that they were looking at a draw for the match.
““I thought it was a great victory, well deserved by our players.” Said Lions Head Coach Oscar Pareja “I think the effort they had during the whole game today showed the character that they have brought in these last three games, so we are very proud. ”
Pareja also applauded the Orlando fans who stuck around during the storm.
“The first half showed a lot of courage with the rain, the fans that supported us through that rain, too. It was difficult to play, but I think we showed a lot of personality, too.”
Orlando’s substitutions, including Tesho, managed to save they day.
“They lifted us, they took the team on their shoulders and gave us that energy that we needed and more than the energy, the ideas, and we ended up being the best team. That feeling that you’re going to score here at Exploria [Stadium] again in front of our fans is a great feeling, so we’re very happy.”
Orlando returns to the pitch on Wednesday when they welcome the Seattle Sounders to Exploria. The Match is at 7:30 pm.
