ORLANDO, Fla. – March 6, 2016 – In a scene familiar to the fans, Orlando City SC used every second of Sunday’s match to battle for a point in a 2-2 draw with Real Salt Lake, with Cyle Larin and Adrian Winter scoring in second-half added time to complete City’s thrilling rally. The Lions opened their second Major League Soccer (MLS) season in front of a sold out crowd at the Orlando Citrus Bowl, with an announced attendance of 60,147--expected to be the highest attended match for MLS’ opening day across the nation.
With four minutes of stoppage time announced, the Lions pressed forward in an attempt to cut RSL’s 2-0 lead. The home team’s first breakthrough came in the 94+ minute, as Larin was rewarded after threatening all evening. Heineken Star of the Match Brek Shea placed a perfect, low cross to the feet of the sophomore forward, and he used a quick one touch to fire the ball past RSL keeper Nick Rimando.
After RSL’s ensuing kickoff, City gained control in its own defensive third and Servando Carrasco launched a full-field pass in the direction of both Larin and Winter. With the duo chasing the ball in the penalty area, Larin made the first shot attempt but was unable to fully connect. Winter was in perfect position, collecting the ball and beating Rimando, just before the final whistle was blown.
“We started the game very well; we moved the ball and looked dangerous,” said Head Coach Adrian Heath. “[The team] kept going. They kept going all afternoon...I always thought we were going to score. I didn’t expect it to be as late as it was, but always thought we would get a goal at one stage.”
“The crowd was unbelievable, even when we were two goals down,” Heath added.
In a physical first half, Orlando City and Real Salt Lake were both reduced to 10 men before the break, after RSL’s Demar Philips picked up a second yellow card in the 20th minute, and Darwin Ceren, who wore the captain’s armband in the match, was shown a straight red card following a foul on Javier Morales in first half injury time.
The visiting team was the first to get on the board, when Joao Plata converted a penalty kick in the 26th minute. RSL was awarded the penalty after a sliding challenge from Seb Hines took down Yura Movsisyan eight yards out. City goalkeeper Joe Bendik picked the correct side, and got a hand on the shot, but was unable to parry the forceful shot over the crossbar.
Plata doubled RSL’s lead, and completed the brace, in the 66th minute with a half volley to the far post.
Reigning MLS Rookie of the Year Larin found the back of the net just eight minutes into the match, after getting on the end of a deflected Ceren shot. The home crowd erupted when it thought the first goal of 2016 was scored, however Larin was ultimately called offside.
In the 72nd minute, Larin had another opportunity inside the box after excellent build up from Winter and Kevin Molino. Winter carried the ball across the field and into the middle, finding Molino who slipped a pass to Larin in the box. Larin used a coy touch to turn into space, but his effort sailed high of the goal.
The Lions will return to the Orlando Citrus Bowl in just five days, hosting the Chicago Fire at 7 p.m. For match tickets, visit www.OrlandoCitySC.com or call 855-ORL-CITY.
Follow the latest Orlando City news and updates via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
First Half:
5’ Kevin Molino secures the first attempt at goal with a one touch through ball past the defense. It's a foot race between Cyle Larin and Nick Rimando, but Rimando wins it.
8’ MLS Rookie of the Year, Cyle Larin, receives a deflected shot from MLS Latino of the Year, Darwin Ceren. Larin back heels it in but is called offsides.
11' Yellow issued to RSL's Demar Phillips for a harsh challenge on Kevin Molino.
14’ Real Salt Lake’s Juan Manuel Martinez broke in the Lions penalty area and chipped the ball behind City goalkeeper Bendik, but defender Tommy Redding was able to clear it. The 19-year-old was the Lions first homegrown signee in 2014.
20’ Halfway through the first half, Real Salt Lake is reduced to 10 men when Demar Phillips picks up his second yellow card of the match after a hard foul on Larin.
23’ Head Coach Jeff Cassar brings Chris Wingert in for Sunday Stephan Obayan to complete the first substitution of the afternoon. It was Wingert’s second consecutive season opener at Orlando City, playing in 2015 with New York City FC.
26’ Joao Plata converts a Real Salt Lake penalty after a foul by Seb Hines in the box and opens the scorecard well into the first half.
32’ A yellow card shown to Pedro Ribeiro for a sliding challenge on Juan Manuel Martinez.
45’(+1) Shea nearly levels the score marker when a neat chip from Cerén finds him on the left, but his shot hits the side netting. Shortly after, City is also reduced to 10 men when Ceren is shown a straight red after making contact with Javier Morales.
Second Half:
53’ Adrian Winter enters the match for Luke Boden as the Lions look to increase their offensive pressure and find an equalizer. City changes to a 3-man backline.
66’ Joao Plata completes the brace with his second goal of the match. Plata taps in a cross from Tony Beltran to make the score 2-0 in favor of RSL.
72' Excellent build up from Orlando City. Adrian Winter carries the ball into the box, drops to Molino who finds Larin. He turns and shoots wide.
77' University of Central Florida’s Hadji Barry substituted on for Kevin Molino, playing his first MLS match.
80' Barry and Larin both make a run on goal. The rookie nearly puts the ball on frame, but it bounces just wide.
84’ After earning a corner, Rafael Ramos finds Pedro Ribeiro on the far post. Ribeiro collected the ball with his chest and volleyed a hard shot, but RSL goalkeeper Nick Rimando comes up with the point-blank save.
94+ Orlando scores its first goal of 2016 from the foot of Cyle Larin. After a cross from Brek Shea, Larin wasted no time and one touched the ball high and past Nick Rimando for his first goal of the year.
95+ Second-half substitute Adrian Winter ends the game on a goal, chasing down a long Servando Carrasco pass with teammate Cyle Larin. Larin misfired on his attempt at the ball, but Winter was nearby, able to beat Rimando with a hard shot from 7 yards out.
Team |
1 |
2 |
Final |
|---|---|---|---|
Orlando City SC |
0 |
2 |
2 |
Real Salt Lake |
1 |
1 |
2 |
Scoring Summary:
RSL - Joao Plata (PK) 26’
RSL - Joao Plata (Tony Beltran) 66’
ORL - Cyle Larin (Brek Shea) 94+’
ORL - Adrian Winter (Cyle Larin) 95+
Misconduct Summary:
RSL - Demar Philips (Yellow Card) 11’
RSL - Demar Philips (Second Yellow Card) 20’
ORL - Pedro Ribeiro (Yellow Card) 32’
ORL - Darwin Cerén (Red Card) 45+
RSL - Chris Wingert (Yellow Card) 74’
ORL - Seb Hines (Yellow Card) 76’
Lineups/Substitutions:
Orlando City SC - GK Joe Bendik , D Luke Boden (Adrian Winter 61’), Seb Hines, Tommy Redding, Rafael Ramos, M Servando Carrasco, Pedro Ribeiro, Darwin Ceren, Brek Shea, F Cyle Larin, Kevin Molino (Hadji Barry 77’)
Real Salt Lake - GK Nick Rimando, D Tony Beltran, Aaron Maund, Jamison Olave, Demar Philips, M Kyle Beckerman, Javier Morales, Sunday Stephan Obayan (Chris Wingert 24’), F Juan Manuel Martinez (Olmes Garcia 87’), Yura Movsisyan, Joao Plata (Luke Mulholland 77’)
Details of the Game
Time: 2 p.m. ET
Weather: Sunny, clear and 75
March 6, 2016
Attendance: 60,147
Stats:
Shots:
ORL- 14
RSL- 8
Saves:
ORL- 2
RSL- 5
Corners:
ORL- 12
RSL- 2
