MONTRÉAL (Oct. 16, 2022) - No. 7 Orlando City SC fell 2-0 to No. 2 CF Montréal on Sunday evening, with the loss knocking the Lions out of play in the Audi 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs. The defeat brings one of Orlando’s most successful seasons to a close, with the team securing its first hardware of its MLS era earlier in the year, when they lifted the 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup trophy.
The Lions had a handful of chances in the first half, but each opportunity went just over the frame and after a feisty first half, the two sides entered the locker rooms even.
However, it was the home side who broke through in the second 45, with Ismaël Koné netting the game-winner in the 68th minute before Djordje Mihailovic added the insurance with a stoppage-time penalty goal.
Midfielder Júnior Urso recorded his 100th appearance across all competitions for the Lions with his start, with all coming in an Orlando kit.
Head Coach Oscar Pareja:
“First of all, congratulations to Montreal for advancing. They had a good season and today was a good rival. Saying that, I thought we had a very good game played by the boys with intensity, discipline and desire for the game. We had our chances, especially in the first half. In this kind of game you have to be decisive and you have to finish. The minute that Montreal scored, just one mistake from us defending, which didn’t happen often and that mistake opened the scoring for them and created different gaps for us. But I’m very proud of this group, very grateful for the effort of the boys. They made us very proud and they’ve taken this Club to a different level and I think our fans and our people should be very proud about this season.”
Scoring Recap:
68’ Ismaël Koné (Djordje Mihailovic) - MTL 1, ORL 0
The home side got on the board first with Djordje Mihailovic playing a quick pass in to Ismaël Koné in the box, who took a quick shot and beat Pedro Gallese low.
90+8’ Djordje Mihailovic (PK) - MTL 2, ORL 0
Montréal added insurance late in the match, drawing a penalty kick while time was winding down. Djordje Mihailovic stepped to the spot, burying a goal of his own on the evening.
Match Notes:
- Sunday’s match marked the 100th MLS appearance across all competitions for midfielder Júnior Urso, with all coming in an Orlando City kit.
- Orlando City finished the 2022 MLS regular season with 14 wins, which is the most wins the Club has earned in a single season.
- The match marked Orlando City’s third-straight appearance in the postseason, with all coming under Head Coach Oscar Pareja.
- Head Coach Oscar Pareja made one change to his starting XI on Sunday, with Antonio Carlos returning to the backline after serving an accumulation suspension on Decision Day.
