The first ten minutes of the game were very dynamic with chances for both teams. Defenders Jonathan Spector and Amro Tarek maintained a solid backline for Orlando during those first minutes.
However, City’s defense was broke in the twelfth minute when Minnesota United midfielder, Ethan Finlay, open the scoring. Former Orlando City SC player and Minnesota United midfielder, Kevin Molino, sent a pass to split between the Lions’ final line. The ball found Finlay who flicked the ball over Bendik and scored the first of the night in the scoring.
The goal came with controversy since home players argued that Finlay was offside. However, referee Sorin Stoica was confident of his decision and kept the game going.
Minute twenty-three was an upsetting one for Orlando. Forward Stéfano Pinho caught an injury after trying to head a cross from defender Mohamed El Munir. The fall took the Brazilian out for the rest of the game; he was substituted couple minutes after leaving the field in a gurney by forward Chris Mueller.
During minute forty, Lions’ midfielder Richie Laryea received a tackle that required the referee to use the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) to determine whether the foul was inside or outside the box. Orlando City SC earned a penalty kick thanks to the VAR and Yotún materialized the opportunity and equalized the game two minutes later.
Three minutes into the second half, Molino injured his left knee and had to leave the field on a gurney. It happened after El Munir dribbled the former Lion and his knee bent as he was trying to chase the defender. Molino was substituted by midfielder Collen Warner.
Twenty minutes later, another player had to leave the field due to an injury. This time was midfielder Sam Nicholson who was subbed by midfielder Miguel Ibarra.
The Lions started pushing lines forward hoping to score their second. However, this backfired them because, at the 80th minute, Minnesota’s Finlay pushed in a cross from Ibarra. The Wisconsin-born scored his second of the night and the winner for his team.
The match ended dramatically due to the final efforts from the home players to score the equalizer. Despite going all-in to find that goal, Minnesota’s backline managed to maintain their win.
Orlando City SC shot nineteen times, but only two were on target. While Minnesota shot ten times and three were on target. Ball possession was divided 59% for Orlando and 41% for the visitors.
It is important to recognize the efforts from the newly arrived El Munir and defender Amro Tarek. Both players demonstrated to be what Orlando City SC needed last season for the backline.
Orlando City SC starting XI: [G] Joe Bendik; [D] Scott Sutter, Jonathan Spector (C), Amro Tarek, Mohamed El Munir; [M] Yoshimar Yotún, Cam Lindley, Will Johnson; Richie Laryea; [F] Justin Meram, Stéfano Pinho.
Minnesota United starting XI: Matt Lampson; [D] Tyrone Mears, Michael Boxall, Francisco Calvo, Jérôme Thiesson; [M] Rasmus Schuller, Ibson, Sam Nicholson, Ethan Finlay, Kevin Molino; [F] Christian Ramirez.
Orlando City SC will hit the road to face New York City FC for the next fixture on March 17th, 2018. On the same day, Minnesota United FC will receive Chicago Fire at the TCF Bank Stadium.