VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS: Orlando City Draws For Second Straight Match 1-1 In Front of 30,000 Fans

By  //  March 12, 2016

ABOVE VIDEO: Highlights from Orlando City’s matchup with Chicago Fire that resulted in a 1-1 draw. (Orlando City Video)

ORLANDO, FLORIDA – Orlando City (0-0-2, 2 points) welcomed nearly 30,000 fans to the Orlando Citrus Bowl for its second home game of the 2016 Major League Soccer (MLS) season on Friday night.

After early pressure resulted in an early goal from forward Cyle Larin, his second in two games, the Chicago Fire (0-1-1, 1 point) were able to secure the equalizer and held on for the draw despite playing a man down.

With a controlling first half during which the Lions secured 90.3 percent passing accuracy and 67 percent possession, Orlando City SC looked to make an immediate impact on the game from the opening whistle. Picking up right where they left off last Sunday, the Lions opened the score marker in the third minute with a take-no-chances, double effort by Larin.

Lions’ newest midfielder Antonio Nocerino made his debut in purple, and recorded over 60 minutes in his first outing with Orlando.

The Men in Red leveled things in the 14th minute after John Goossen set up forward David Accam on the counterattack. However, the Fire soon found themselves with a 10-men squad on the pitch.

City earned a man advantage for the second-consecutive match when Chicago’s Josh Harrington was shown a straight red card in the 32nd minute, following a hard foul on Friday’s captain Brek Shea.

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In the second half, Orlando City continued to press in the attack with a handful of shots that seemed destined for the back of the net in search of the go-ahead goal. The introduction of Hadji Barry in the 73rd minute re-energized the Lions’ attack, as he figured prominently in a few close attempts on goal, including a clever play between him and Molino.

Pedro Ribeiro, who entered for Nocerino in the 63rd minute, nearly tied the match with a scorching left foot that deflected off the frame. Larin also had an attempt denied by the woodwork following a great give-and-go with Molino in the penalty area.

Adrian Heath
Adrian Heath

“[We’re] obviously disappointed with the final score. Plenty of opportunities again tonight. I thought we were nearly good a lot of times,” said Orlando City SC Head Coach Adrian Heath.

“I give [Chicago] great credit. They were well organized, always got the threat with the counterattack, and I don’t think that we were good enough.”

“We’ve got to do better and we will do better. I can promise you that.”

Orlando City will head to the road for the first time in 2016 when it travels to New York City FC on March 18 for a 7 p.m. kickoff.

After the match at Yankee Stadium, the Lions return to the Orlando Citrus Bowl on April 3 to host the Portland Timbers.

Tickets to all City home matches are available at OrlandoCitySC.com or by calling 855-ORL-CITY.