Charlotte FC gave Orlando City SC all they could handle in their three matches. Yet the Lions advance to the MLS Eastern Conference semi-finals.
No. 5 Charlotte FC fought their way to a penalty kick shootout in Game two of Round One in the MLS playoffs. No. 4 Orlando City SC fell in that one.
But Orlando City players are very fast learners. Game 3 fought hard to a 0-0 draw until the 81st minute. Charlotte striker Karol Swiderski caught a cross from Liel Abada. He drove it into the net.
That 1-0 lead stood until second-half stoppage time. Twelve minutes in Orlando forward Duncan McGwire was taken down in the penalty box. Facundo Torres got the call to take the shot. It was saved.
But keeper Kristijan Kahlina didn’t take control of the ball. It rebounded. Orlando City players have committed to staying ever-focused during these playoffs. Torres tapped the rebound in to force the penalty shootout.
It was the latest goal scored in team history.
That shootout didn’t go well for Orlando in Game 2. But the players were ready for the shootout then. Luis Muriel, Kyle Smith, Torres, and Rafael Santos scored. That’s all four of their kicks. City keeper Pedro Gallese made two saves. It was a 4-1 shootout win.
Orlando City will meet Atlanta United FC as they advance to the Eastern Conference semi-finals for the second straight season.
Head Coach Oscar Pareja said his opponent, Charlotte Head Coach Dean Smith, presented a complicated system to Orlando. The Lions went hard on their offensive strategy. That is why the first 90 minutes were so hard-fought.
Smith reduced the lines in spaces, making them very hard to find and control. They carry momentum from a long regular season of lessons leading to remarkable improvement.
Every opponent in the playoffs will play Orlando City SC hard. They just proved they can fight back and win.