SANTA CLARA, CA– May 24, 2015 – Orlando City SC (3-5-4, 13 points) earned a crucial away point at Levi’s Stadium on Sunday night, drawing the San Jose Earthquakes (5-4-3, 18 points) 1-1 despite playing a man down for nearly 40 minutes.
With the draw, Orlando City remains unbeaten on the road in three games against Western Conference Teams this season, previously defeating the Houston Dynamo 1-0 and the Portland Timbers 2-0.
After a highly defensive first half, the second 45 proved to be much more eventful as both goals took place midway through. The match took a turn when Orlando City and U.S. Men’s National Team midfielder Brek Shea was sent off for a dangerous challenge in the Lions’ half in the 51st minute.
Nevertheless, the Lions continued to venture forward in search of a goal and would be rewarded for their efforts when rookie Cyle Larin was awarded a penalty after being brought down by goalkeeper David Bingham in the box. Kaká stepped up to take the ensuing penalty, blasting it in the top left corner for his fifth goal of the season.
However, City’s goal would not be the only penalty decision made by the referee. Four minutes after Kaká’s finish, Darwin Cerén brought down Jordan Stewart inside the box. Lethal finisher Chris Wondolowski calmly scored the penalty for the home-side, becoming the ninth player in Major League Soccer (MLS) history to score 100 goals.
“I just thought we had a little bit more to give and we could’ve taken the initiative and taken the lead,” said Head Coach Adrian Heath. “To play most of the second half with 10 men, you have to be pleased with a point. But at halftime, I was disappointed that we didn’t take the initiative a little bit more, and I thought if we had stayed with 11 men we would’ve gotten something more than a point.”
First Half:
3’ San Jose defender Marvell Wynne sprinted down the left hand side on a counter-attack, before being brought down by Darwin Cerén inside City’s half. The following free-kick provided little difficulty for Lions’ goalkeeper Tally Hall and the back four.
11’ The first chance of the game occurred after a quick combination play in the box by San Jose, providing space for a curling effort by Shea Salinas who had his shot comfortably saved by Hall.
20’ After a slow start to the first half, both sides began making more of a concerted effort to create chances - with Kaká, Shea and Eric Avila becoming more active in the final third for the Lions.
30’ With 15 minutes remaining in the opening 45, Orlando City held control of possession 57-43 but were unable to create any chances on target.
37’ With Kaká leading the break, Orlando City charged at the Earthquakes defense with four attacking players as the Brazilian played it wide for Avila, who floated a ball back into the box. Kaká was able to bring it down, but the Earthquakes defense cleared it away.
40’ Cyle Larin made a run in behind, opening space underneath for Avila, who turned and fired after receiving Kaká’s pass. The midfielder’s effort was ultimately a comfortable save for David Bingham.
45 (+1) Both teams were level 0-0 at the end of the first half, as the Lions continued to control possession while the home side appeared content to sit back.
Second Half:
50’ Larin forced a turnover from veteran defender Clarence Goodson deep inside San Jose’s half, creating a threatening opportunity for City. The rookie charged forward in the box, but Goodson did well to recover, allowing Bernandez to come across and make the challenge.
51’ Shortly afterward, matters became even more difficult for the Lions who were reduced to 10 men when Brek Shea was shown a straight red for a dangerous challenge.
53’ Although former Burnley striker Martin Paterson began warming up, Head Coach Adrian Heath opted to not make any changes as Kaká drifted out wide to the left side - with City adjusting to a 4-4-1.
59’ Orlando continued attacking nonetheless. Cristian Higuita played a clever one-two with Avila before firing from the edge of the area, however the young Colombian’s effort was deflected wide.
60’ Rafael Ramos broke in behind and cut inside, firing a left-footed attempt that was pushed wide by Bingham.
61’ Larin, who was battling all game up top for City, came up big once again for Orlando while running on to Tally Hall’s pass. The striker forced his way past the defense and was brought down inside the area by the goalkeeper, resulting in a penalty.
63’ Kaká sent Bingham the wrong way from 12 yards away, blasting the ball into the top left corner for his fifth goal of the season.
67’ However, Chris Wondolowski scored the equalizer moments later, finishing a penalty to become the ninth player in MLS history to score 100 goals. The penalty occurred after Cerén collided with Jordan Stewart in the box.
71’ Perez-Garcia continued pushing matters for San Jose on the attacking end, curling a left-footed strike toward the back post. Hall was positioned well though and was able to parry it wide.
83’ Paterson was brought on for Larin for his second appearance this season, with seven minutes remaining in the match.
88’ Cerén came close to redeeming himself in the final minutes of the match, latching on to Kaká’s free-kick to the back post. Unfortunately, the El Salvadorian’s effort sailed over the crossbar.
90 (+3) The referee blows the final whistle, resulting in a 1-1 draw and a crucial away point for the Lions.
Scoring Summary:
ORL: Kaká(penalty) 63’
SJ: Chris Wondolowski (penalty) 67’
Misconduct Summary:
SJ: Fatai Alashe (Yellow Card) 43’
ORL: Brek Shea (Red Card) 54’
ORL: Martin Paterson (Yellow Card) 83’
Lineups/Substitutions:
Orlando City SC – GK Tally Hall, D Luke Boden, Sean St. Ledger, Seb Hines, Rafael Ramos, M Cristian Higuita, Darwin Cerén, Eric Avila (Amobi Okugo 85’), Brek Shea, Kaká, Cyle Larin (Martin Paterson 83’)
San Jose Earthquakes – GK David Bingham, D Marvell Wynne, Victor Bernandez, Clarence Goodson, Jordan Stewart, M Chris Wondolowski, Fatai Alashe, Matias Perez Garcia, F Sanna Nyasi, Adam Jahn (Khari Stevenson 68’), Shea Salinas
Substitutes not used:
ORL – Donovan Ricketts, Tyler Turner, Harrison Heath, Carlos Rivas, Danny Mwanga
SJ - Bryan Meredith, Paulo Renato, Leandro Barrera, J.J. Koval, Michael Fucito, Cordell Cato
Match Facts:
Time of Match: 7:00 p.m. ET
Weather: Clear
May 24, 2015
Attendance: 36,224
Stats:
Shots:
ORL: 6
SJ: 10
Corners:
ORL: 1
SJ: 7
Offside:
ORL: 1
SJ: 1
Fouls:
ORL: 15
SJ: 14
Saves:
ORL: 3
SJ: 2
The Lions will return to the Orlando Citrus Bowl on Saturday, May 30, for a match-up against Columbus Crew SC. Kick-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.
