A second-half surge with goals from Cristian Higuita and Yoshimar Yotun lifted Orlando City to a 2-1 victory on the road against the Colorado Rapids on Sunday afternoon at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.

“I thought we started out poor again, to be honest, I thought our energy level was lacking,” Orlando head coach Jason Kreis said. “I think it took us a bit to get into that game and sort things out but once we got there I was really pleased with the effort and performance as well as just the general play. We played well, it just took us a little longer than I would’ve liked to get there.”

Dominique Badji gave Colorado (2-3-2, 8 points) the lead in the 26th minute after receiving a long ball from Enzo Martinez and beating Orlando defender Lamine Sane to strike the ball past goalkeeper Joe Bendik. 

But the Lions tied and eventually took the lead in the second half. In the 52nd minute, Sacha Kljestan dished the ball to midfielder Higuita who struck from outside the box and finding the net to tie the game 1-1 for Orlando.

In the 77th minute, Justin Meram produced a through-ball that connected with Yotun in the box before getting clipped and fouled by Dillon Serna for a penalty. Yotun converted the penalty to give Orlando the 2-1 lead and his second goal of the season.

The Lions (5-2-1, 16 points) extend their winning streak to five games and return home to host Real Salt Lake on May 6 at 5 p.m. in Orlando City Stadium.

Here’s how the Lions lined up

Orlando City XI: GK Joe Bendik, D Mohamed El-Munir, Amro Tarek, Lamine Sané, Will Johnson (RJ Allen 90+1’), M Yoshimar Yotún, Cristian Higuita (Uri Rosell 67’), Justin Meram (Stéfano Pinho 83’),  Sacha Kljestan (c), Chris Mueller, F Dom Dwyer

Substitutes Not Used: GK Earl Edwards, Jr., D Donny Toia, M Dillon Powers, Josué Colmán

Highlights

(Photo Courtesy of Garrett Ellwood / Colorado Rapids) 

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