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Orlando City SC

Orlando City and Philadelphia Union Play to Thrilling 2-2 Draw

May 25, 2016 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Orlando City SC News Release


ORLANDO, Fla. - In its second game in four days, Orlando City SC (3-3-6, 15 points) tied the Eastern Conference-leading Philadelphia Union (5-3-4, 19 points) by a final score of 2-2. Kevin Molino scored just seconds after entering the match three minutes before Cyle Larin scored his team-leading seventh goal of the season.

"It was never going to be easy tonight, having a game four days ago. I knew tonight was going to be tough. Fair dues to the players, they kept working and got the momentum going again," Lions head coach Adrian Heath said. "As the game wore on, we seemed to be getting more momentum in the game. When [Kaká] went out wide left and we put Kevin on and Júlio [Baptista] came on, it was a little bit like the Montreal game [on Saturday]. We take a few chances with that system but, at home, sometimes it's worth taking."

Orlando City dominated the first half, owning over 66 percent of possession while outshooting the Union 3-1. The Lions best opportunity came in the 37th minute when Kaká took a penalty kick after being dragged down in the box following a great run by Carlos Rivas. Kaká fired the ball to the left side of goal, where Philadelphia goalkeeper Andre Blake guessed correctly and got a hand on it.

The Union opened the scoring in the 52nd minute when Tranquillo Barnetta slotted home a loose ball in the box. Ken Tribbett launched a ball from the right wing into the far side of the box, where Chris Pontius was able to head it back across goal for Barnetta.

In an effort to spark the attack, Heath introduced Baptista and Molino in the 67th minute, which paid off immediately. Just one minute later, Kaká served a ball into the box for Larin, which Blake went out to catch. After an aerial battle by Blake, Larin and a Philadelphia defender, the ball fell free for Molino at the top of the penalty area. The Trinidadian fired it into the back of the net on just his second touch of the game for his fifth goal of the season.

Just three minutes later, Kaká made a good run up the left wing before cutting across the end line. The captain crossed the ball to Larin inside the six-yard box, which the reigning MLS Rookie of the Year chested into the goal, reminiscing his first professional goal, when he scored the game-winning goal at Portland on April 12, 2014. Blake initially made the save, but the ball rolled across the line before it was cleared away, sending over 24,000 fans into a frenzy.

Four minutes after that, Tribbett flicked a loose ball into the back of the net after Barnetta's centering feed slipped free of goalkeeper Joe Bendik's grasp. Bendik, however, was called upon to make two spectacular stops after the 80-minute mark to keep the match level. He finished the match with three saves.

Orlando City faces another short turnaround when it heads to Yankee Stadium on Sunday, May 29, to take on New York City FC. The Lions return to the Camping World Stadium after the league-wide Copa America Centenario break on Saturday, July 18, to host the San Jose Earthquakes at 7:30 p.m. E.T.

Tickets to all City home matches are available at OrlandoCitySC.com or by calling 855-ORL-CITY. Follow the latest Orlando City news and updates via Facebook, Twitter,Instagram and YouTube.

Match Highlights:

First Half

1' Brek Shea flicks the ball to the edge of the box, where it bounces around from Cyle Larin to Kaká, whose shot is saved by Philadelphia goalkeeper Andre Blake

15' Joe Bendik makes an easy catch to thwart a Philadelphia attack from a free kick.

25' Orlando City has had the majority of the opportunities, mustering the game's first shot and controlling over 63% of possession.

27' Kaká quickly restarts the ball on a free kick and works the ball to Kevin Alston. Alston passes back to Kaká outside the 18-yard box and Kaká fires a left-footed shot just over the corner.

28' Carlos RIvas delivers a cross into Adrian Winter, who chests it down and pauses before flicking it over to Cyle Larin. Larin directs a header on goal and it bounces around dangerously before being cleared away.

35' Tranquillo Barnetta delivers a corner kick into the middle of the area which is headed away by Cyle Larin to Carlos Rivas. The Colombian flies up the right wing, catching the Union on the break, and centers it to Kaká. The captain makes a move around oncoming goalkeeper Andre Blake and is dragged down for a penalty.

37' Kaká shoots the penalty kick to the left post and it is saved off the line by goalkeeper Andre Blake and out for a corner.

39' Carlos Rivas earns a corner. Kaká fires the ball just under the crossbar, requiring Andre Blake to punch it out for another corner.

40' Sebastien Le Toux crosses to Tranquillo Barnetta, who fires a shot that is deflected on its way to goal. Joe Bendik adjusts and makes the save.

45 (+3)' The referee indicates the end of the first half after three minutes of added time. Orlando City controlled 66% of possession and outshot Philadelphia 3-1.

Second Half:

49' Adrian Winter picks up a loose ball 30 yards from goal, takes a dribble and fires a shot just wide of the net.

50' Carlos Rivas dribbles through the middle and passes to Adrian Winter, who finds Cyle Larin just inside the box. Larin combines with Rivas and Kaká to set up the captain for a shot, which he fires just wide.

52' Tranquillo Barnetta finds the back of the net after Chris Pontius heads the ball across the box to Barnetta.

57' Tommy Redding closes the gap on C.J. Sapong inside the box, making his shot a difficult one and allowing Joe Bendik to make the save.

61' Sebastien Le Toux finds Warren Creavalle in the box, who drops it back to Tranquillo Barnetta. Barnetta makes a run towards the goal and fires his shot over the bar.

67' Orlando City makes two substitutions: Júlio Baptista for Carlos Rivas and Kevin Molino for Adrian Winter. It is Baptista's seventh appearance and Molino's 11th.

68' Kevin Molino equalizes on his second touch of the game. Kaká delivered the ball into Cyle Larin on the box and Andre Blake goes up to catch the ball, but collides with Larin and his own defender. The ball slips out to Molino, who fires it into the back of the net.

71' Cyle Larin chests Kaká's cross just feet from the end line. Andre Blake initially makes the save, but the ball rolls across the line before being cleared away. It is Larin's seventh goal of the season.

75' Ken Tribbett scores when Joe Bendik slides out to make a save but the ball rolls right to Tribbett inside the six-yard box.

77' Kevin Molino makes a clever touch to free himself for a run down the wing, earning a corner kick. Kaká delivers the kick to Júlio Baptista, who runs on to the ball for a header that deflects off Tommy Redding and inches wide of the post.

80' Joe Bendik makes a spectacular save off a Fabian Herbers volley from the edge of the box.

84' 2016 MLS SuperDraft first-round pick Hadji Barry enters the game in place of Cyle Larin. It is Barry's fourth career MLS appearance.

86' Kaká makes a dashing run up the left wing before feeding Brek Shea in behind. Shea crosses the ball to Kevin Molino on the edge of the six-yard box and Molino's shot goes just over the bar.

90 (+4)' After David Mateos red card ejection, Tranquillo Barnetta lines up to take a free kick 19 yards from goal. His attempt goes high of the bar.

90 (+4)' The referee indicates the end of the match after four minutes of stoppage time. The final score is Orlando City 2, Philadelphia Union 2.

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