TORONTO (May 18, 2018) – Orlando City SC (6-4-1, 19 points) played a close match against reigning MLS Cup champion Toronto FC (3-6-1, 10 points) but lost 2-1 on Friday at BMO Field. Cristian Higuita scored his second goal of 2018 and Uri Rosell made his first start of the season.
“Pleased with the organization, pleased with the level of work. I thought we were defensively very, very sound tonight,” Lions head coach Jason Kreis said. “Really unfortunate that we give away a goal late to lose what I thought was an earned one point. It means that next weekend is a big, big game for us. We have to get all three points at home.”
The Lions and Reds traded half-chances through the first hour but Toronto opened the scoring in the 63rd minute when Jay Chapman knocked in Tosaint Rickett’s rebound off the post.
City equalized 10 minutes later thanks to a dazzling 35-yard run into the box by Mohamed El-Munir. The Libyan left back dribbled through several defenders before chipping a rabona cross for Chris Mueller, who laid it down for Josué Colmán. The 19-year-old passed it to Higuita for his first assist as a Lion.
Toronto took the lead for good when Ryan Telfer drilled a shot on the volley in the 87th minute.
The Lions return to Orlando City Stadium on Saturday, May 26, to host the Chicago Fire at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Tickets to all City home matches are available at OrlandoCitySC.com or by calling 855-ORL-CITY.
Match Notes
- M Cristian Higuita scored his second goal of the season, which is a career-high. Both of Higuita’s goals have come in City’s last two road games.
- M Josue Colmán earned his first career MLS assist on Higuita’s goal. M Chris Mueller earned his second career assist on the goal.
- GK Joe Bendik made his 78th career MLS start for City, passing F
- Cyle Larin for the most in Club history.
- M Uri Rosell made his first start of the season.
- M Dillon Powers made his season debut.
- Orlando City’s five fouls were a season-low. City’s seven fouls suffered are also a season-low.
- The loss is Orlando City’s first to a reigning MLS Cup champion. The Lions defeated LA Galaxy in 2015, Portland Timbers in 2016 and drew Seattle Sounders in 2017.
- The Lions were without M Yoshimar Yotún (yellow card accumulation) and F Dom Dwyer (lower body injury).
Scoring Summary:
TOR - Jay Chapman 63’
ORL - Cristian Higuita (Josué Colmán, Chris Mueller) 73’
TOR - Ryan Telfer (Auro) 87’
Misconduct Summary:
ORL - Will Johnson (Yellow Card) 84’
Lineups/Substitutions:
Toronto FC - GK Alex Bono, D Chris Mavinga, Eriq Zavaleta, Gregory van der Wiel, Auro, M ⓒ Michael Bradley, Jay Chapman (Marco Delgado 64’), Ryan Telfer, Victor Vázquez, Jonathan Osorio (Liam Fraser 90+4’), F Jordan Hamilton (Tosaint Ricketts 60’)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Clint Irwin, D Jason Hernandez, M Ager Aketxe, Mariano Miño
Orlando City SC - GK Joe Bendik, D Mohamed El-Munir, Amro Tarek, Lamine Sané, Will Johnson, M Cristian Higuita, Uri Rosell (Dillon Powers 89’), Justin Meram, ⓒ Sacha Kljestan, Chris Mueller (Richie Laryea 83’), F Stéfano Pinho (Josué Colmán 64’)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Earl Edwards, Jr., D Chris Schuler, RJ Allen, M Tony Rocha
Details of the Game:
Time: 8 p.m. ET
Weather: Clear
Date: May 18, 2018
Attendance: 28,009
Stats:
Possession:
TOR - 48.5 %
ORL - 51.5 %
Shots:
TOR - 14
ORL - 10
Saves:
TOR - 4
ORL - 3
Fouls:
TOR - 7
ORL - 5
Corners:
TOR - 7
ORL - 3
