ORLANDO, Florida - The Montreal Impact fell 2-1 to Orlando City SC on Saturday night, in front of a hostile crowd of more than 35,000 fans at the Citrus Bowl.
"We defended well and didn’t give up too many scoring chances," said captain Patrice Bernier. "It was a tight game that just titled slightly for them. We gave it our all and now we have to forget about this loss quickly."
After a long delay in which two Orlando players were stretchered off of the field following a violent collision with one another, the Lions took the lead in the 33rd minute when forward Cyle Larin scored his rookie record leading 12th goal of the season. A deflected pass sent the Canadian international in on a half break and he fired a quick shot from just outside the box that fooled Impact goalkeeper Evan Bush, bouncing off of his shoulder and into the net.
The Impact tied things up in the 43rd minute when Nigel Reo-Coker ran on to a ball that Johan Venegas pried free from a defender just inside the box. The Englishman played a low cross towards keeper Tally Hall, who dove on the ball, but couldn’t freeze the play. Striker Dominic Oduro pounced on the rebound and knocked it into the open net, tying the team lead with eight on the season.
Orlando’s defender Seb Hines then gave the home side the lead on a lucky play after an attempted clearance from a corner kick landed right on the defender’s foot, one-timing it towards the far post, top corner in the 80th minute.
“We made a small mistake on the first goal, but we were in the game,” said defender Laurent Ciman. “Then on the second goal, a bit of bad luck for us. We were good on our duels and had a good game, but we are a little disappointed.”
Despite a push by the Impact to tie the game, leading to a couple of good opportunities for Venegas, the Bleu-blanc-noir couldn’t find the equalizer.
"I think it was a good effort in a difficult game and difficult atmosphere," said Impact head coach Mauro Biello. "In the second half, we created some chances and pushed forward. In the end, it wasn’t enough, but we have another big game to play on Wednesday."
The Impact will play its next game on Wednesday, October 7, at 7:30pm EDT, against the Red Bulls in New York (TVA Sports, CJAD 800). The Impact’s final home game is set for Sunday, October 25, at 5pm, against rivals Toronto FC at Stade Saputo.
LINEUPS
MTL – GK-Evan Bush; D-Donny Toia, Laurent Ciman, Victor Cabrera, Ambroise Oyongo; M-Nigel Reo-Coker, Patrice Bernier (Eric Alexander 86’), Marco Donadel, Andrés Romero (Dilly Duka 69’), Johan Venegas; F-Dominic Oduro (Didier Drogba 59’)
Subs not used: GK-Eric Kronberg; D-Wandrille Lefèvre, Hassoun Camara; M-Maxim Tissot
ORL – GK-Tally Hall; D-Rafael Ramos (Luke Boden 11’), Aurelien Collin, Tommy Redding (Seb Hines 11’), Brek Shea; M-Servando Carrasco, Darwin Ceren, Kaka, Lewis Neal (Bryan Rochez 69’), Carlos Rivas; F-Cyle Larin
Subs not used: GK-Josh Ford; M-Eric Avila, Adrian Winter; F-Pedro Ribero
GOALS
ORL – Larin 33’
MTL – Oduro 43’
CAUTIONS
MTL – Romero 19’
ORL – Hall 44’
MTL – Toia 45+2’
MTL – Venegas 45+5’
ORL – Kaka 45+5’
ORL – Boden 62’
ORL – Shea 87’
