COLUMBUS, Ohio (Sept. 21, 2024) – Orlando City SC (12-11-7, 43 points) was defeated by the 2023 MLS Cup Champions Columbus Crew (16-5-8, 56 points) on Saturday night at Lower.com Field via a 4-3 scoreline.
After hitting the post three separate times in the match, the Lions attempted a valiant second-half comeback by scoring three late goals. All three goals were scored by second-half substitutes as Ramiro Enrique started the attempted comeback in the 74th minute. Just four minutes later the Lions earned a penalty kick and Luis Muriel stepped up to the spot and slotted it home. Muriel found another goal late in the match as the comeback proved to be just a little too late for City.
The Lions next head to Texas for a matchup with Western Conference side FC Dallas next Saturday, Sept. 28. That match will air on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV with kickoff from Toyota Stadium set for 8:30 p.m. ET.
Scoring Summary:
30’ Diego Rossi (Christian Ramírez, Mohammed Farsi) – CLB 1, ORL 0
The hosts opened things in the 30th minute of the match, breaking the Lions’ midfield lines with a Mohamed Farsi pass to Christian Ramírez. Ramírez then fed the ball forward to Uruguayan Diego Rossi, who sent a shot on net. Orlando City goalkeeper Pedro Gallese got a touch to it but couldn’t push it far enough wide as the hosts got on the board first.
51’ Christian Ramírez (Max Arfsten, Aziel Jackson) – CLB 2, ORL 0
The Crew added another to their tally shortly after the start of the second half when Aziel Jackson played Max Arfsten through down the Lions’ left flank on the counterattack. Arsften carried the ball towards the Orlando endline and sent a cross to the head of Christian Ramírez for the goal.
71’ Cucho Hernández (Max Arfsten, Aziel Jackson) – CLB 3, ORL 0
The hosts added one more with Jackson and Arfsten combining once again, but this time down the Lions’ right flank. Jackson fed Arfsten once more, who sent a low cross to Cucho Hernández who was breaking through Orlando’s defensive line and one-touched it past goalkeeper Pedro Gallese.
74’ Ramiro Enrique – CLB 3, ORL 1
The Lions got one back shortly after the restart from the Columbus goal, with Iván Angulo going one-on-one with goalkeeper Patrick Schulte. Angulo chipped the netminder but found the right post. The rebound bounced to the feet of forward Ramiro Enrique who slammed it home.
78’ Luis Muriel (Penalty Kick) – CLB 3, ORL 2
Shortly after their own opener, the Lions moved to within one as Iván Angulo was taken down in the box for a penalty kick. Luis Muriel stepped up and calmly rolled it to Schulte’s left to convert the opportunity.
85’ Aziel Jackson (Cucho Hernández) – CLB 4, ORL 2
The Crew scored answered back with Cucho Hernández winning the ball deep into the Orlando half and sending a pass into the middle of the box that found Aziel Jackson, who made no mistake and scored the goal.
90+7’ Luis Muriel (Facundo Torres) – CLB 4, ORL 3
The Lions recorded another late goal as Muriel picked up a brace on the night after Facundo Torres found him at the top of the box. Muriel rifled a shot at the net and after taking a bounce in front of the Crew goalkeeper, went into the back of the net.
Head Coach Oscar Pareja:
“It was a very competitive match. Credit to our players that they showed their heart and the willingness to bounce back from the adversity that the game put us in. Since we couldn’t finalize our chances, especially in the first half so we couldn’t open the game. We had very clear actions there and in the second half we could have tied the game as well. A very intense game against a good rival. Our performance will let us keep this momentum despite getting the result. The boys are pushing and playing hard and playing well and we will get ready before the next game.”
Match Notes:
- Ramiro Enrique recorded his eighth goal of the season after coming on as a substitute.
- Luis Muriel scored his fourth and fifth goals of the 2024 campaign with two second-half finishes.
- Facundo Torres earned his ninth assist of the season on Muriel’s second-half stoppage time goal.
- 2024 MLS SuperDraft selection Jeorgio Kocevski made his first start across all competitions for the Lions.
- Head Coach Oscar Pareja made two changes to his starting lineup from his side’s last match against Charlotte FC, with Duncan McGuire and Jeorgio Kocevski being named to the starting lineup.
