ST. PAUL, Minn. (April 15, 2023) ā Orlando City SC (3-2-2, 11 points) took a 2-1 victory over Minnesota United FC (3-2-2) on Saturday night at Allianz Field. With the win, the Lions remain unbeaten on the road in 2023, with two wins and two draws in all competitions.
After going down shortly after the halftime break, the Lions answered behind IvĆ”n Anguloās second finish of the 2023 campaign to pull the side back level in the 66th minute. Just ahead of stoppage time, City found the back of the net once again, this time off the head of Duncan McGuire for his second professional goal and his first game-winner for the Club.
Saturday evening saw the return of defender Antonio Carlos to the starting lineup, logging a full 90 minutes at the back for the first time in 2023 after missing the first part of the year due to injury. The team now turns its focus to next Saturday, April 22, set to host D.C. United in a 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff at Exploria Stadium.
Scoring Summary:
58ā Bongokuhle Hlongwane (Hassani Dotson, Robin Lod) ā MIN 1, ORL 0
The home side took the lead with Robin Lod slipping a ball through for Hassani Dotson on the right flank, who was able to send a ball across the face of goal to Bongokuhle Hlongwane to tap in for the finish.Ā Ā
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66ā IvĆ”n Angulo (GastĆ³n GonzĆ”lez, Mauricio Pereyra) - ORL 1, MIN 1Ā
The Lions leveled off a combination play just outside the area with MartĆn Ojeda laying it off to Mauricio Pereyra, who proceeded to send GastĆ³n GonzĆ”lez down the left flank. GonzĆ”lez sent a ball that traveled all the way across the area before finding a streaking IvĆ”n Angulo at the back post, who fired his strike into the top left corner.Ā Ā
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88ā Duncan McGuire ā ORL 2, MIN 1Ā
City took the lead with a cross from Facundo Torres from the left side falling to IvĆ”n Angulo at the back post, who tried to chip his strike over Minnesota goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair. Anguloās effort hit off the crossbar right to the head of Duncan McGuire, with the 2023 MLS SuperDraft selection able to head in the rebound.
Head Coach Oscar Pareja:
āVery good victory and credit to this group of players who overcame this moment. Coming to Minnesota and getting this win is very important for our group. The first 15 minutes we suffered a little and then we settled into the game and after that I thought we dominated in many parts of the match. We created situations and contained them as well in moments that they had, but the most important part was when we were losing 1-0 and the courage of the players to come back into the game. They tied it up and after that just with the same ambition, going and looking for the three points and thatās what I highlight the most is that effort. Weāre very proud of them.ā
Match Notes:
- Duncan McGuire notched his second finish of his professional career.
- IvƔn Angulo scored his second goal of the season, both of which have come on the road in 2023.
- GastĆ³n GonzĆ”lez tallied his first assist for the Club on the Angulo finish. Lionsā captain Mauricio Pereyra earned the secondary on the finish, his third helper in as many matches and his 38th in all competitions to extend his Club record.
- Antonio Carlos made his first start of the 2023 campaign in the match, having previously subbed on in the match against Philadelphia Union.
- Orlando City SC is the first team in MLS history to name 10 South American players in a starting lineup.
- Head Coach Oscar Pareja made three changes to his starting lineup from his sideās matchup against Nashville SC, with GonzĆ”lez, Antonio Carlos and Facundo Torres all getting the start.
