CHESTER, PA. ā Oct. 25, 2015 ā Orlando City SC (12-14-8, 44 points) closed out its historic inaugural Major League Soccer (MLS) season in the City of Brotherly Love earlier today. The Lions fell just shy of becoming the third ever expansion team to qualify for the playoffs in its first campaign, losing 1-0 to the Philadelphia Union (10-17-7, 37 points) before 17,309 fans at PPL Park.
Orlando controlled nearly 60 percent of the possession and created 10 shots, but Philadelphia midfielder Sebastien Le Touxās penalty five minutes before halftime separated both sides through 90 minutes, despite another late surge to secure three points from the Lions.
Despite missing the postseason, the team accomplished several significant milestones in its inaugural season in MLS.
Cityās five game winning streak leading up to Sundayās contest propelled the squad to having the best campaign for an expansion team since 2009, finishing ahead of five other clubs and tying the highest win mark for an expansion team since 1998 with 12.
In addition, Orlando Cityās average of 32,847 fans per home game, the highest for an expansion team in league history, drew over a half million fans to the Orlando Citrus Bowl throughout the year - making Orlando City the fastest team in MLS history to reach that mark.
Lastly, forward Cyle Larinās 17 goals set a new rookie single-season scoring record, capping off a noteworthy first season for the Lions.
āI thought we started the game slow and after having a word at halftime, I thought we showed a bit more in the second half. We played a bit more like we have been of late, showed a lot more determination, enthusiasm and desire. But, Iām disappointed weāve finished the way that we have. Weāre better than the performance we put out this evening,ā said head coach Adrian Heath. āBut, weāve had a great last month to the season. Thereās been some really pleasing stuff and also some things we have to get better at. Thatās what the offseason is for - to try and improve and make sure weāre above the red line next year. I can't applaude and thank our fans enough. They've been incredible. There were about 80 plus waiting for us at our hotel last night. And, as I told the players, that's who you play for - the people who spend hard-earned money to watch you play football.ā
First Half:
5ā City Goalkeeper Josh Ford, who was making his first career start in MLS, looked confident in the opening minutes, making back-to-back saves in difficult circumstances.
14ā With his back to goal in Orlandoās half, rookie forward Cyle Larin employed a bit of trickery to skip past two defenders - driving deep into Philadelphiaās defensive third before being brought down on the edge of the area.
16ā Carlos Rivasā ensuing free-kick curled wide of the target.
19ā C.J. Sapong came close to volleying a strong effort into the back of the net, but another strong save from Ford pushed the ball off the crossbar.
33ā With the first half winding down, Orlando City continued to maintain the advantage in possession (53-47), as the Lions probed for the gameās opening goal.
36ā AurĆ©lien Collin came close to giving the Lions the lead, heading KakĆ”ās corner into the back of the net. However, Seb Hines was called for a foul after challenging Philadelphia goalkeeper Andre Blake for the ball during the play.
40ā However, five minutes before the break Sebastien Le Toux gave the home side the lead, finishing a penalty into the upper right corner. The Union were awarded the penalty after Cristian Higuita and Le Toux collided in the box.
45 (+1) At the end of the first half, Le Touxās finish made the difference as the Lions went into the break down 1-0.
Second Half:
61ā With pushing for the win, Heath made a change early in the second half, bringing on Rafael Ramos for Adrian Winter, pushing Brek Shea further up the field.
65ā Higuita was brought down on the edge of the box, resulting in a dangerous free-kick for the Lions. KakĆ” attempted to slip Shea in behind during the set-piece but hit it just a bit too long for the winger.
67ā Moments after being introduced, Ramos floated a precise ball into the box, finding Larin on the back-post. The striker attempted to head it back to KakĆ” who was bursting into the six, but the Philadelphia defense managed to clear away the danger.
75ā Heath used his second substitution of the game, bringing on Pedro Ribeiro for Shea - adding another striker to the mix.
78ā Shortly after coming on to the pitch, Ribeiro provided the best chance for the Lions, turning and firing from six yards away. The Brazilianās powerful strike forced a difficult close-ranged save from Blake.
86ā Wth the game winding down, Orlando City received its 10th red card of the season when Higuita was controversially shown a second yellow, reducing the Lions to 10 men.
90 (+2) The Lions inaugural MLS season came to a close, with the team finishing just shy of becoming the third expansion team in league history to make the playoffs.
Scoring Summary:
PHI: Sebastien Le Toux (Penalty Kick) 40ā
Misconduct Summary:
PHI: Richie Marquez (Yellow Card) 15ā
ORL: Brek Shea (Yellow Card) 20ā
ORL: Darwin CerĆ©n (Yellow Card) 38ā
ORL: Luke Boden (Yellow Card) 41ā
ORL: Adrian Winter (Yellow Card) 49ā
PHI: Raymon Gaddis (Yellow Card) 59ā
ORL: Rafael Ramos (Yellow Card) 69ā
ORL: Cristian Higuita (Yellow Card) 72ā
ORL: Cristian Higuita (Second Yellow Card) 86ā
ORL: Kaka (Yellow Card) 86ā
PHI: Vincent Nogueira (Yellow Card) 88ā
Lineups/Substitutions:
Orlando City SC - GK Josh Ford, Luke Boden, Aurelien Collin, Seb Hines, Brek Shea (Pedro Ribeiro 75ā), M Darwin CerĆ©n , Cristian Higuita, Carlos Rivas, Adrian Winter (Rafael Ramos 62ā), KakĆ”, F Cyle Larin,
Unused Subs: GK Trey Mitchell, D David Mateos, M Eric Avila, Lewis Neal, Servando Carrasco
Philadelphia Union - GK Andre Blake, D Raymon Gaddis, Ethan White, Richie Marquez, Fabinho (Warren Creavelle 86ā), M Vincent Nogueira, Michael Lahoud, Eric Ayuk Mbu (Fernando Aristeguieta 67ā), Tranquillo Barnetta, Sebastien Le Toux, C.J. Sapong
Unused Subs: GK John McCarthy, M Brian Carroll, Cristian Maidana, F Conor Casey, Andrew Wenger
Match Facts:
Time of Match: 5 p.m. ET
Weather: Clear
October 25, 2015
Attendance: 17,309
Stats:
Shots:
ORL: 10
PHI: 11
Corners:
ORL: 4
PHI: 5
Offside:
ORL: 1
PHI: 0
Fouls:
ORL: 22
PHI: 12
Saves:
ORL: 5
PHI: 5