ORLANDO, Fla. (April 27, 2024) – Orlando City SC (2-4-3, 9 points) dropped its match against Toronto FC (5-4-1, 16 points) 2-1 on Saturday night at INTER&Co Stadium. Toronto scored two late-game headers from Tyrese Spicer and Prince Osei Owusu to complete the come-from-behind win.
Forward Duncan McGuire returned to the starting lineup and scored his team-leading fifth goal across all competitions with a 37th-minute strike to give the Lions the early lead. The goal was also McGuire’s 20th career goal across all competitions which gave him sole possession of eighth place on the Club’s all-time scoring list.
Entering the match in the second half, MLS stalwart Nico Lodeiro recorded his 200th career MLS appearance.
The Lions will stay home this week, set to next host 2023 Supporters’ Shield Winners FC Cincinnati at INTER&Co Stadium at 7:30 p.m. ET next Saturday, April 27. The matchup will air on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
Scoring Summary:
37’ Duncan McGuire (Facundo Torres, Robin Jansson) - ORL 1, TOR 0
With the end of the first half looming, the Lions got on the board first with a goal by forward Duncan McGuire. Defender Robin Jansson sent a pass past the Toronto defense in the direction of Facundo Torres, who was then able to catch up to it just outside the box. Torres controlled the ball before sending a cross to the front of the net to McGuire who volleyed a shot past the goalkeeper.
87’ Tyrese Spicer (Federico Bernardeschi) - ORL 1, TOR 1
The visitors were able to tie the game up toward the end of regular time, coming on a Tyrese Spicer header. Toronto forward Federico Bernardeschi led an attack deep into the Lions’ defensive third before sending a high cross into the box to Spicer, who headed in a shot to the left side of the net.
90’ Prince Osei Owusu (Federico Bernardeschi) - TOR 2, ORL 1
Just moments later, Toronto took the lead thanks to another Bernardeschi assist. The forward sliced his way through the Orlando defenders and sent in a chip pass from the endline to the far side of the goal where Prince Osei Owusu was waiting, and his header slipped past goalkeeper Pedro Gallese.
Head Coach Oscar Pareja:
“Very disappointed, obviously, with the game that certainly had the necessity for us to get three points, win at home and after these past four games you’ve got that momentum going and the end of the game is very disappointing for us. And obviously the responsibility is taken. I thought in the second half we lost control of the ball, and we lost control of the game, and we couldn’t hold the result. That’s what we need to study during the week, to see how we can be better because really, after the good first half, in the second half we lost control.”
Match Notes
- Duncan McGuire’s scored his 20th career goal for Orlando City across all competitions, taking him past former Lions Daryl Dike and Benji Michel for sole possession of eighth all-time in Club History.
- Nico Lodeiro made his 200th MLS appearance on the night, entering as as second-half substitute In the 59th minute.
- Facundo Torres provided his second assist of the year and 18th all-time across all competitions on the McGuire goal, while defender Robin Jansson got the secondary assist for his first of the year and fourth all-time.
- Head Coach Oscar Pareja made three changes to his starting lineup from his side’s last match against CF Montréal, with Duncan McGuire, Martín Ojeda and Rafael Santos all returning to the Starting XI.
