Just when it looked like the Lions were going to leave BMO Field with a draw, a late goal from Ryan Telfer prevented that from happening.

Telfer struck in the 87th minute to secure Toronto FC a 2-1 win over Orlando City on Friday night to extend the Lions’ losing streak to two games.

“Nobody ever wants to take back-to-back losses,” Orlando coach Jason Kreis said. “From my point of view, it’s difficult as well as neither performance could I say I was disgusted with the performance.  Actually I think there were moments, and stretches, in both of those games where we were really pleased with what we see.”

“In my honest opinion we have to feel a little bit hard done, we also have to continue to believe that if continue to play this game, most nights, we’re going to do better and end up with more points than we have in this two game stretch,” added Kreis. “Also, what it does is it means next weekend is a big, big game for us.  We have to get all three points at home.”

After a scoreless first half, the Reds (3-6-1, 10 points) opened the scoring in the 63rd minute when Tosaint Ricketts had a shot deflect off the bottom-right post, allowing Jay Chapman to hit the rebound for the goal.

The Lions (6-4-1, 19 points) equalized in the 73rd after a run from Mohamed El-Munir ended with a rabona, which connected with Chris Mueller to chest down the ball to find Josue Colman, who dished the ball over to Cristian Higuita to strike from outside the box for game-tying goal.

Telfer’s go-ahead goal in the 87th minute happened after a cross fro Auro found the attacker to strike toward the far-left post past goalkeeper Joe Bendik.

Orlando was playing without its starting striker Dom Dwyer, who missed Friday’s game due to a lower-body injury.

“We missed his holdup play tonight for sure,” said Orlando captain Sacha Kljestan. “There’s a reason why Dom is our highest paid player and why he is leading our team in goals so yes, we miss him on a night like tonight. Hopefully he gets healthy and we get him back with the team soon.”

Orlando have lost two straight games after falling 2-1 at home against Atlanta United last week and most recently Friday night against Toronto.

The Lions are back at Orlando City Stadium on Saturday, May 26 when they host the Chicago Fire at 7:30 p.m.

Here’s how the Lions lined up

Orlando City XI: Bendik; El-Munir, Tarek, Sané, Johnson; Rosell, Higuita, Kljestan (c); Meram, Mueller, Pinho.

Orlando City bench: Edwards Jr.; Allen, Schuler, Powers, Laryea, Rocha, Colmán.

Highlights

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