Photo by Justin Glatt / Orlando Soccer Journal
Orlando City’s playoff run came to a disappointing and late end in the conference semifinals in front of a sold out crowd Saturday night at Exploria Stadium.
Extra time goals from Christian Ramirez and Cucho Hernandez were all the Columbus Crew needed to secure a 2-0 victory over a 10-man Orlando squad.
The Lions went down a player in the 77th minute after Rodrigo Schlegel picked up a second yellow card for an ejection.
Saturday’s loss was Orlando’s first at home since April 22, which the Lions lost 3-1 to DC United. The loss also ended a seven-match unbeaten run for Orlando.
The Lions were held without a shot on target for the first 90 minutes of the game.
A golden opportunity to win the game came for Orlando in the final minute of stoppage time when Facundo Torres won a turnover and found Martin Ojeda open on the run. But Ojeda’s opportunity was shot wide of the goal.
Here’s how the Lions lined up:
Orlando City XI: Pedro Gallese; Dagur Dan Thorhallsson, Rodrigo Schlegel, Robin Jansson, Rafael Santos (Kyle Smith, 82′); Wilder Cartagena (Martin Ojeda, 62′), Cesar Araujo, Mauricio Pereyra -c (Junior Urso, 72′); Ivan Angulo (Antonio Carlos, 82′), Facundo Torres, Duncan McGuire (Ramiro Enrique, 71′).
Unused substitutes: Mason Stajduhar, Gaston Gonzalez, Michael Halliday, Felipe Martins.
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