Photo Courtesy of Orlando City SC
Heading into the weekend’s match against the No. 1 team in the league, Oscar Pareja harped on the importance of bouncing back in the midst of a three-game losing streak, which has seen his side slip down the Eastern Conference standings for most of the month of September.
On Saturday, behind an early goal from Adam Buksa, followed by an equalizer by Daryl Dike, which was later eclipsed by an own-goal from Rodrigo Schlegel and eventually a missed penalty from Nani proved to be costly as the New England Revolution dealt Orlando City a 2-1 loss at Gillette Stadium — increasing the Lions’ losing streak to four games, for the first time since 2018.
“We leave frustrated for all that’s happened,” Pareja said in Spanish after the game. “To not get a result against a team that has a lot of confidence. The players played a good game, they adjusted to the game plan and over everything they showed character to get us out of this situation.”
“Logically, we need to get results and add points, and we have to look at the situation which is nothing comfortable but with the players I stand behind them, I have their backs unfortunately we couldn’t get the result.”
New England opened the scoring in the ninth minute when a slick turn from Gustavo Bou saw the Argentine whip in a cross in the area, finding Adam Buksa to slot the ball past Pedro Gallese.
Orlando managed to respond minutes later when a ball played from Mauricio Pereyra found Daryl Dike, who managed to muscle off the defender before sending a powerful strike past Matt Turner to equalize the game, 1-1 in the 18th minute.
In the 27th minute, Andres Perea almost made it 2-1 after a set piece played in saw the midfielder pounce on the rebound before it was saved by Turner.
The Revs retook the lead in the 35th minute when Tajon Buchannan beat Joao Moutinho on the one-on-one before sending a cross meant for Buksa but Rodrigo Schlegel accidentally pounced the ball into his own net to give New England the 2-1 lead in the 35th minute.
In the 74th minute, an opportunity to tie the game opened up for Orlando when Dike was fouled inside the box by Andrew Farrell to draw a penalty.
Nani, who entered the game in the 57th minute for Benji Michel, stepped up to take the penalty but missed his chance when Matt Turner was able to block his attempt to equalize the match in the 75th minute.
Orlando City drops to 10-8-8 with 38 points in the season, provisionally sitting on fifth place in the Eastern Conference as they enter the final eight games of the regular season.
Up next…
Orlando travels to take on Nashville SC on Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. at Nissan Stadium.
Scoring Summary
9’ – Adam Buksa, assisted by Gustavo Bou (NE)
18’ – Daryl Dike, assisted by Mauricio Pereyra (ORL)
35’ – Rodrigo Schlegel, own goal (NE)
How the Lions lined up
Orlando City XI: Pedro Gallese; João Moutinho, Robin Jansson, Rodrigo Schlegel (Kyle Smith, 87’), Ruan; Sebastian Mendez (Silvester van der Water, 70’), Jr. Urso, Andres Perea (Tesho Akindele, 87’), Benji Michel (Nani, 57’), Mauricio Pereyra ©; Daryl Dike.
Substitutes: Adam Grinwis, Emmanuel Mas, Rio Hope-Gund, Raul Aguilera, Alexander Alvarado.
For more soccer news, follow the Soccer Journal on Twitter: @OSJSoccer
Orlando Soccer Journal 