Orlando City SC (12-10-7, 43 points) defeated fellow Eastern Conference side Charlotte FC (10-11-8, 38 points) 2-0 on Wednesday night at Inter&Co Stadium. The Lions have won their last three league matches and are unbeaten in their last nine home matches in all competitions. Head Coach Oscar Pareja won his 171st regular-season game, surpassing Dominic Kinnear for outright possession of fifth-place in MLS history.
Orlando controlled much of the possession in the first half. Facundo Torres nearly opened the scoring early, but his wide-open header drifted over the bar. Charlotte broke loose on a first-half breakaway, but Pedro Gallese calmly handled the shot and kept the score level at the break.
Torres broke the deadlock seven minutes into the second half. Some quick combination play down the left flank allowed Martín Ojeda to chip the ball across the penalty box to the open boot of Torres for the goal.
After Orlando controlled much of the second half, substitute Duncan McGuire doubled the lead at the end of regular time. Fellow substitute Luis Murriel received a goal kick from Pedro Gallese and then played a perfect ball through Charlotte’s defense, and McGuire cooly finished the chance for his 10th goal in all competitions this season.
Gallese finished with two saves, a secondary assist and earned his ninth clean sheet of the year in all competitions.
Tale of the Tape 0:00
Orlando City Facundo Torres praises Martin Ojeda and talks about Duncan McGuire retiring Tim Ream 1:35
Orlando City Dagur Dan talks about their momentum as a team in the MLS 10:49
Coach Oscar Pareja spoke highly about MLS and the current state of Orlando City 14:57
📹Orlando City
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