Orlando vs Chicago Fire Comes Down to A Penalty Kick

Orlando City entered the night confident and hungry to continue their recent form, having faced four of MLS’s top eight teams across their previous five matches and emerging with a 2-2-1 record. With the third place Chicago Fire coming to town, Orlando had a chance to make a statement and prove they were a legitimate threat heading into the second half of the season.

Robert Lewandowski would be fouled by Robin Jansson in the 66^th minute and after a lengthly discussion between Crepeua and head referre, Lewandowski would score from the point to give Chicago the 2-1 lead, which would be the final score.

This isn’t to say that Chicago outplayed Orlando by any means, in fact you could argue it was the complete opposite. Orlando had many chances to level or even take a lead but luck wasn’t on their side for this one. Even after the early goal by Dithejane in the 4^th minute Orlando continued to attack. One of their best chances in the first half came from a cheeky play from Griezmann to flick the ball over the defender to Ellis whose shot would be stopped by a laid out Brady.

Right before the weather delay there were. 2 chances for Orlando to get a goal. The first one coming off a set piece that was headed towards goal but found Brady without making him move at all. On the second one Griezmann made a couple moves to get separation and to fired one one but Brady slid to his right to make the save.

After nearly 90 minutes of weather day they got back under way, just to have a hydration halftime break.

A corner in the 52^nd minute seen Griezmann lob one in to a moving Breckelo who would get just enough to it to head it home for a goal. This leveled the game and showed that hunger in the Orlando’s side was fully there.

The game got turned over in the 66^th minute when Lewandowski got awarded a penalty off a very light challenge where Jannson made a sliding play getting to the ball before Lewandowski. This was a surprising call when we had seen even more contact get waved on throughout the game.

The best chance Orlando had to level it came off a great run by Griezmann who slipped past everyone and was racing towards the box. It was Dean though who would get to him and potentially force the wide shot. Orlando wouldn’t stop trying with multiple great chances either going high, wide or right at Brady. Luck wasn’t on their side at all tonight. As time would expire Orlando would fall 2-1 in a hard fought match.

The score doesn’t always tell you the full story and that is the case tonight as Orlando clearly out played Chicago, they just couldn’t get the lucky bounces they needed. They will have to regroup as they host Real Salt Lake City. Real Salt Lake comes in with a record of 8-4-7 while Orlando is 6-3-11. Orlando needs to continue to play their style as they can control the games, just also need to find some luck.