Courtesy of Orlando City SC

Orlando City kept things close on a rainy Saturday afternoon through the first 45 minutes, but came out in the second half with a malaise which they could not break, allowing two goals in 12 minutes to drop a 2-0 result to the visiting Toronto FC.

“The first thing when you get tired is your decision making goes,” head coach James O’Connor said following the match. “I think when you look at the decision making, whether it’s people are trying to hit too hard, people are giving the ball away cheaply, I think overall when you look at the decision making second half, I think it was definitely affected.”

Scoreless through the first half, Orlando came close to breaking the deadlock in the 30th minute, after a square pass from Nani found Will Johnson at the top of the box, but his shot was saved by TFC goalkeeper Quentin Westberg. That shot proved to be one of the Lions’ best chance for most of the game.

Toronto would open up the scoring in the 65th minute, as Jonathan Osorio was able to weave through three Orlando defenders and finishing far post to get the visitors on the board.

The Reds doubled the lead 12 minutes later after Brian Rowe denied Alejandro Pozuelo, Orlando failed to clear the ball properly and Jay Chapman managed to sneak the ball through the legs of Rowe and in.

Orlando would have a chance to pull one back in the 89th minute, but Westberg denied Dom Dwyer’s header off the line.

Goalkeeper Brian Rowe finished with seven saves.

Up next for Orlando

Atlanta United on Sunday, May 12 at 2:30 p.m. ET at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Goal Summary

65′ TOR – Osorio (Bradley)

77′ TOR – Chapman (Pozuelo)

How the Lions lined up

Orlando City XI: Brian Rowe, João Moutinho, Robin Jansson, Lamine Sané, Ruan; Uri Rosell, Sebastián Méndez, Will Johnson; Nani (c), Tesho Akindele, Dom Dwyer.

Orlando City Bench: Greg Ranjitsingh, Josué Colmán, Cristian Higuita, Sacha Kljestan, Kamal Miller, Chris Mueller, Kyle Smith.

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