TORONTO – August 22, 2015 – Orlando City SC (7-12-7, 28 points) suffered a 5-0 defeat to Toronto FC (10-10-4, 34 points) at BMO Field on Saturday afternoon after defender Rafael Ramos and midfielder Adrian Winter were sent off during the match.
The ejections marked the Lions’ eighth and ninth red cards of the season - the most for any team in Major League Soccer (MLS).
While maintaining a strong defensive shape, Orlando kept the home side relatively quiet in the first half, limiting chances from Designated Player Sebastian Giovinco and U.S. Men’s National Team midfielder Michael Bradley. However, with less than 10 minutes remaining in the half, Ramos was controversially sent off while making a strong challenge, reducing the Lions to 10 men with over 50 minutes left in the game.
As a result, the Reds got off to a strong start in the second 45, beginning with Marco Delgado’s finish in the 46th minute. Ten minutes later, Sebastian Giovinco doubled Toronto’s lead with a free-kick from the edge of the area that hit the far post before finding the back of the net.
In the final 20 minutes of the fixture, Justin Morrow’s goal, a brace from second-half substitute Jozy Altidore, and Winter’s red card on a counter-attack would secure three points for Toronto, despite a concerted effort from City to fight back into the game.
“We’re obviously bitterly disappointed with the result. I thought we were doing okay, up until the sending off. I thought the game plan was working well, and obviously the sending offs has cost us dearly,” said head coach Adrian Heath. “We started the second half by giving away a goal really early which didn’t help. We had a couple of chances to tie the game, but the bottom line is that it wasn’t good enough. We compounded our problem by going down to nine men, so it’s been a very difficult day in the end.”
First Half:
11’ The opening portion of the game featured a slower pace, as the Lions focused on their defensive shape in behind the ball, waiting patiently for an opportunity to break forward.
14’ Cyle Larin found space on the left-hand-side, driving deep into Toronto’s half with the ball. The rookie had Kaka surging alongside but was dispossessed before he could make the pass.
17’ An errant header from the City backline nearly proved costly when it landed to Marco Delgado just outside the six, however, his final effort soared high of the target.
32’ Despite being surrounded by multiple defenders, Luke Boden somehow managed to work his way out of trouble and whip a dangerous ball into Toronto’s box. The cross was intended for Larin, but the Reds managed to clear it away for a corner.
36’ After making a strong challenge, Rafael Ramos was controversially sent off, marking the team’s eighth red card so far this season - the most for any team in MLS.
45 (+1) At the end of the first half, both sides were level 0-0, as Orlando faced playing another half while being a man down.
Second Half:
46’ The Lions got off to a difficult start in the second half when Marco Delgado tucked away Michael Bradley’s ball in the box, putting the home side up 1-0.
56’ Ten minutes later, matters became worse for Orlando when Sebastian Giovinco scored his 17th goal of the season, hitting his set-piece off the far post and into the back of the net.
61’ Kaka created Orlando City’s best chance of the game, bursting down the left side before finding Lewis Neal fora close-range attempt. However, the Englishman’s effort was deflected away by the Toronto defense.
71’ Toronto added to its lead when Bradley drove a ball across the box to Justin Morrow for the third goal of the game.
72’ Heath made his second change of the game, bringing on Bryan Rochez for Lewis Neal after introducing Carlos Rivas for Cyle Larin moments earlier.
82’ With the Lions pushing forward in search of a goal, City were caught on the counter when Bradley played Findley in behind the defense. Tally Hall came charging off his line, but mis-timed the tackle, forcing Winter to bring the forward down and receive his second yellow card of the game.
83’ Jozy Altidore tucked away the ensuing penalty-kick.
85’ Moments later, Altidore notched a brace when he headed Findley’s cross into the back of the net.
90 (+1)’ The referee blew the final whistle, resulting in a 5-0 win for the Reds.
Scoring Summary:
TOR: Marco Delgado (Michael Bradley) 46’
TOR: Sebastian Giovinco (Unassisted) 56’
TOR: Justin Morrow (Michael Bradley) 71
TOR: Jozy Altidore (Penalty-kick) 83’
TOR: Jozy Altidore (Robbie Findley) 85’
Misconduct Summary:
TOR: Sebastian Giovinco (Yellow Card) 22’
ORL: Servando Carrasco (Yellow Card) 30’
ORL: Rafael Ramos (Red Card) 36’
ORL: Kaka (Yellow Card) 38’
TOR: Ahmed Kantari (Yellow Card) 40’
ORL: Adrian Winter (Yellow Card) 56’
ORL: Adrian Winter (Yellow Card, Red Card) 83’
ORL: Cristian Higuita (Yellow Card) 84’
Lineups/Substitutions:
Orlando City SC - GK Tally Hall, D Luke Boden, David Mateos, Aurelien Collin, Rafael Ramos, M Servando Carrasco, Cristian Higuita, Adrian Winter, Lewis Neal (Bryan Rochez 72’, Kaka (Corey Ashe 84’), F Cyle Larin (Carlos Rivas 63’)
Unused Subs: GK Earl Edwards Jr., D Tommy Redding, M Eric Avila, F Pedro Ribeiro
Toronto FC - GK Chris Konopka, D Justin Morrow, Ahmed Kantari, Josh Williams, Jackson (Daniel Lovitz 46’), M Michael Bradley, Benoit Cheyrou, Collen Warner, Marco Delgado, F Jonathan Osorio (Jozy Altidore 72’), Sebastian Giovinco (Robbie Findley 76’)
Unused Subs: GK Joe Bendik, D Ashtone Morgan, Eriq Zavaleta, F Herculez Gomez
Match Facts:
Time of Match: 4:00 p.m. ET
Weather: Clear
August 22, 2015
Attendance: 26,397
Stats:
Shots:
ORL: 4
TOR: 18
Corners:
ORL: 1
TOR: 7
Offside:
ORL: 2
TOR: 3
Fouls:
ORL: 13
TOR: 15
Saves:
ORL: 2
TOR: 1
The Lions will return to the Orlando Citrus Bowl on August 29 to host the Chicago Fire. Kick-off is 7:30 p.m. ET.
