MINNEAPOLIS (May 27, 2017) – In the first ever matchup between the two sides, Orlando City SC (6-5-2, 20 points) fell, 1-0, to Minnesota United FC (4-7-2, 14 points) Saturday night at TCF Bank Stadium.
“At the end of it all it’s about making plays in the penalty box. We’re getting there, we’re getting in a lot of good spaces, we just can’t quite seem to break through [and] score the goal that would have changed the game for us,” Lions Head Coach Jason Kreis said. “We just move forward. It’s not a question of how, it’s just will.”
Kreis came out with a slightly adjusted starting XI, inserting PC at left back alongside Jonathan Spector, José Aja and Scott Sutter. Antonio Nocerino, Luis Gil and Will Johnson, who wore the captain’s armband, manned the midfield with Matías Pérez García. The forwards were Carlos Rivas and Cyle Larin. Goalkeeper Joe Bendik made his 47th consecutive start for the Lions.
Orlando City nearly broke through several times in the first half. In the seventh minute, Sutter played a nice combination with Rivas and Pérez García but curled his shot just wide of the far post. Then in the 38th minute, Rivas raced in all alone on Bobby Shuttleworth and chipped the ball over him but off the post.
The Lions’ 20 shots mark their highest single-game total of the season. City forced Shuttleworth into seven saves.
In the 56th minute, Christian Ramirez got in behind the City backline and eventually scored the game’s only goal.
The Lions face a short turnaround when they return to Orlando City Stadium on Wednesday, May 31, to host D.C. United. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET.
Tickets to all City home matches are available at OrlandoCitySC.com or by calling 855-ORL-CITY. Follow the latest Orlando City news and updates via Facebook, Twitter,Instagram and YouTube.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS:
First Half
7’ Scott Sutter combines nicely with Carlos Rivas and Matías Pérez García to find space for a left-footed shot that curls just wide of the far post.
9’ Sutter’s long throw-in lands dangerously in the box for Larin and Bobby Shuttleworth makes a good point-blank save.
13’ Cyle Larin flicks the ball over his head to Rivas, who rips a shot high off the volley.
20’ Joe Bendik makes a strong save on a shot from the edge of the box from Christian Ramirez. Bendik easily dives to his right and traps it.
22’ Larin earns a free kick 23 yards from goal. MPG curls it over the wall to the far post but Shuttleworth dives across to parry it out.
27’ Larin is at the far post to clear a dangerous Minnesota free kick.
36’ Sutter slips a nice through ball up the right wing for Larin but it skips off the turf and out for a goal kick.
38’ Rivas finds himself in behind the Minnesota back line and in alone with Shuttleworth. The Colombian takes a nearly perfect flick past Shuttleworth but the ball bounces off the goalpost inches off the line and is eventually cleared.
45 (+1)’ After one minute of added time, the referee ends the first half. Orlando City 0, Minnesota United 0.
Second Half
47’ A lofted delivery bounces dangerously in the box for Ramirez but he cannot trouble Bendik.
48’ Rivas makes a perfect 30-yard pass to Larin, who dribbles past two defenders and tries to flick it over an onrushing Shuttleworth.
50’ Gil finds himself in space 25 yards out and fires a shot on goal, collected by Shuttleworth
54’ Minnesota’s backline clears Sutter’s cross from the right. Antonio Nocerino volleys the rebound from the edge of the box but Cronin blocks.
56’ Ramirez gives the lead to Minnesota. Venegas flicked a ball over the defense that Ramirez controlled, beat Bendik and finished.
58’ Johnson shoots from just outside the box but Shuttleworth punches it wide.
71’ Rivas crosses a dangerous ball to the box but Minnesota clears.
72’ Giles Barnes enters the match in place of Luis Gil.
74’ Cristian Higuita enters the match in place of Antonio Nocerino.
90 (+3)’ After three minutes of added time, the referee ends the match. Orlando City 0, Minnesota United 1.
Scoring Summary:
MIN - Christian Ramirez (Johan Venegas, Ibson) 56’
Misconduct Summary:
MIN - Johan Venegas (Yellow Card) 38’
MIN - Sam Cronin (Yellow Card) 66’
MIN - Ismaila Jome (Yellow Card) 76’
MIN - Marc Burch (Yellow Card) 81’
MIN - Miguel Ibarra (Yellow Card) 90+1’
Lineups/Substitutions:
Minnesota United FC - GK Bobby Shuttleworth, D Jerome Thiesson, Brent Kallman, Ⓒ Francisco Calvo, Marc Burch, M Sam Cronin (Collen Warner 77’), Ibson, Johan Venegas (Jermaine Taylor 86’), Ismaila Jome (Collin Martin 79’), Miguel Ibarra, F Christian Ramirez
Substitutes Not Used: GK John Alvbage, D Jermaine Taylor, Justin Davis, Kevin Venegas, Joseph Greenspan, M Collin Martin
Orlando City SC - GK Joe Bendik, D PC, Jonathan Spector, José Aja, Scott Sutter, M Antonio Nocerino (Cristian Higuita 74’), Ⓒ Will Johnson, Luis Gil (Giles Barnes 72’), Matías Pérez García, F Carlos Rivas, Cyle Larin
Substitutes Not Used: GK Josh Saunders, D Donny Toia, Léo Pereira, M Servando Carrasco, F Hadji Barry
Details of the Game:
Time: 8 p.m. ET
Weather: Clear
Date: May 27, 2017
Attendance: 18,896
Stats:
Possession:
MIN - 47.2 %
ORL - 52.8 %
Shots:
MIN - 5
ORL - 20
Saves:
MIN - 7
ORL - 1
Fouls:
MIN - 18
ORL - 14
Corners:
MIN - 5
ORL - 2
