MLS opponents are putting up more of a fight against Orlando City SC this season. It’s a 3-3 draw against the Philadelphia Union.
After Orlando City SC winger Martin Ojeda collected a brace, Lions supporters expected the Philadelphia Union would be done. Ojeda scored in the 24th and 33rd minutes, with assists by midfielders Cesar Araujo on the first and Joran Gerbet on the second.
It was the first assist of Gerbet’s career. The lead-up to the ball that put Orlando up 2-0 reminded supporters in the stands of when they first noticed the midfielder. That was during the shootout of the pre-season friendly that settled the match for the Lions.
In that shootout, Gerbet wound up, paused, switched feet, and took a successful kick. The Atletico Mineiro goalkeeper Everson’s head was swimming as the low line drive went into the net.
In the leadup to the 33rd-minute goal, Gerbet appeared disturbingly awkward to those in the stands as well as the media in the pressbox and broadcast booth. The performance ended up being a long through ball to Ojeda behind the Union defense.
Ojeda then placed the ball between the legs of goalkeeper Aljaz Ivacic.
Then the troublesome omen started.
Union midfielder Alhassan Yusuf scored in the 38th minute, with assists by defender Ilay Feingold and forward Ignatius Ganago. That score ended the Lions’ shutout streak at 563 consecutive minutes in MLS and 653 minutes across all competitions.
Feingold proved more trouble to the Orlando campaign. He got the second assist on the 2-2 equalizer in the 48th minute. On that goal, midfielder Matt Polster scored with the first assist to fellow midfielder Carles Gil.
Like the baton in a relay race, midfielder Gil grabbed the bad omen and kept it going.
Defender Mamadou Fofana fouled Gerbet, leading to a penalty kick in the 55th minute. Everyone took hope as the Lions went ahead once more, 3-2. Union goalkeeper Ivacic had the kick measured but launched himself too early. Ojeda scored Orlando’s only hat trick at home and the first for the team since 2015.
What was harder to consider is that Gil was still on the pitch and that he is the penalty kick specialist for the Philadelphia Union. His rate was 16-18 before Ganago got fouled inside the box.
Gil made good on his kick in the 85th minute as the ball sailed just inches over where Orlando goalkeeper Pedro Gallese dove for it.
Union players intensely drove to the Orlando net for the remainder of regulation plus 10 minutes of stoppage time, but the Lions contained them for the 3-3 draw.
Orlando City SC continues to fight for a balance between offense and defense. They have intensified their opposition to fight against as well. They are standing up to the opponents. But it’s a hard road to the MLS postseason this year.