COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (April 29, 2018) – Orlando City SC (5-2-1, 16 points) picked up its fifth consecutive victory with a 2-1 win over the Colorado Rapids (2-3-2, 8 points) on Sunday at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. Cristian Higuita scored his first goal of the season before Yoshimar Yotún converted the game-winning penalty kick.
City’s five-game winning streak ties a Club record set from September to October 2015. It is also the longest winning streak by any team in MLS this season.
“It took us a bit to get into that game and sort things out but once we got there I was really pleased,” Lions head coach Jason Kreis said. “Both with the effort and performance, as well as the general play. We played well, it just took us a little bit longer than I would’ve liked to get there.”
Kreis came out with a starting XI with one new face from last week’s 3-2 win over San Jose. Justin Meram slotted in at left midfield alongside captain Sacha Kljestan and rookie Chris Mueller with Dom Dwyer up top. Yotún and Higuita were paired in the defensive midfield. Mohamed El-Munir, Lamine Sane, Amro Tarek and Will Johnson started on defense in front of goalkeeper Joe Bendik.
Colorado opened the scoring in the 26th minute when Dominique Badji got in behind the back line and scored.
City stormed back, holding the majority of possession following the Rapids’ goal, and found the equalizer seven minutes into the second half. Kljestan controlled a bicycle-kick clearance and laid it off for Higuita, who blasted his first goal since Oct. 23, 2016.
Then in the 76th minute, Yotún made a run into the box after Meram’s through ball but was tripped up from behind. Yotún sent Rapids goalkeeper Zac MacMath the wrong way as he converted his second penalty kick of the season.
El-Munir dove in front of Dillon Serna’s shot from 12 yards out to preserve the lead in stoppage time.
The match was Orlando City’s third come-from-behind victory on its current five-game winning streak.
The Lions return to Orlando City Stadium on Sunday, May 6, to host Real Salt Lake at 5 p.m. ET.
Tickets to all City home matches are available at OrlandoCitySC.com or by calling 855-ORL-CITY.
Match Notes
- F Justin Meram made his first start since April 8 vs. Portland. He was replaced by F Stéfano Pinho in the 83rd minute.
- M Cristian Higuita scored his third goal as a Lion and his first since Oct. 23, 2016. He was replaced by M Uri Rosell in the 67th minute.
- M Yoshimar Yotún scored his second goal of the season and his second from the penalty spot.
- Orlando City’s 10 points gained from a losing position are the most in MLS.
- The Lions have won two straight MLS road games for the first time since September 2015.
- Orlando City improves to 3-0-1 all-time against Colorado. The Rapids’ goal was their first ever against City.
Scoring Summary:
COL - Dominique Badji (Enzo Martinez) 26’
ORL - Cristian Higuita (Sacha Kljestan) 52’
ORL - Yoshimar Yotún (PK) 77’
Misconduct Summary:
COL - Bismark Boateng (Yellow Card) 60’
COL - Deklan Wynne (Yellow Card) 67’
COL - Edgar Castillo (Yellow Card) 68’
COL - Enzo Martinez (Yellow Card) 72’
ORL - Amro Tarek (Yellow Card) 87’
Lineups/Substitutions:
Colorado Rapids - GK Zac MacMath, D ⓒ Tommy Smith, Danny Wilson, Deklan Wynne, M Edgar Castillo, Enzo Martinez, Jack Price, Shkelzen Gashi (Dillon Serna 50’), Bismark Boateng (Michael Azira 71’), F Dominique Badji, Joe Mason (Yannick Boli 54’)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Andrew Dykstra, D Axel Sjoberg, Kip Colvey, F Jack McBean
Orlando City SC - GK Joe Bendik, D Mohamed El-Munir, Amro Tarek, Lamine Sané, Will Johnson (RJ Allen 90+1’), M Yoshimar Yotún, Cristian Higuita (Uri Rosell 67’), Justin Meram (Stéfano Pinho 83’), ⓒ Sacha Kljestan, Chris Mueller, F Dom Dwyer
Substitutes Not Used: GK Earl Edwards, Jr., D Donny Toia, M Dillon Powers, Josué Colmán
Details of the Game:
Time: 4:08 p.m. ET
Weather: Clear
Date: April 29, 2018
Attendance: 15,702
Stats:
Possession:
COL - 44.2 %
ORL - 55.8 %
Shots:
COL - 16
ORL - 12
Saves:
COL - 3
ORL - 5
Fouls:
COL - 19
ORL - 6
Corners:
COL - 11
ORL - 1
