Martin Ojeda scored an equalizing goal for Orlando City and then the Lions got an own goal by Toronto FC just before halftime to give the visitors a 2-1 win on Wednesday.
Nickseon Gomis was the guilty party on the own goal that proved to be the decider for Orlando (6-9-6, 24 points), which protected its one-goal lead throughout the second half and has won two of its past three matches.
Derrick Etienne Jr. got Toronto FC (7-12-3, 24 points) on the scoreboard in the fifth minute before they were overtaken and handed their fifth loss in a row.
Both starting goalies made their returns from Copa America. Pedro Gallese (Peru) did not have to record a save for Orlando in the win, while Sean Johnson (USMNT) had one save for Toronto.
Early in the match, Toronto’s Federico Bernardeschi hit a left-footed cross deep to the far post. Raoul Petretta was on the receiving end and redirected the ball to the center of the box for a streaking Etienne. It was Etienne’s second goal of the season.
Orlando tied it 1-1 in the 27th minute. Facundo Torres’ through ball on the left side was handled by Ivan Angulo, whose short cross reached Ojeda for a header goal, his second goal of the campaign.
In the 38th and 39th minutes, Toronto had several shot attempts toward the net that were defended, culminating in Lorenzo Insigne’s right-footed shot that missed narrowly to the right.
Just after the first half reached the 45th minute, Torres was on the right side of the box and tried another short cross. It glanced off the outstretched foot of Gomis and got past Johnson.
Toronto came up empty in the second half. Shortly after subbing in, DeAndre Kerr just missed connecting on a right-footed shot in the 86th minute.
Kosi Thompson’s 18-yard shot for Toronto two minutes into stoppage time just eluded Gallese but glanced off the crossbar and out.
–Field Level Media