The confetti hardly had time to settle when the ball worked its way into the New England half of the field and Servando Carrasco stared down Lee Nguyen just outside the box. This was the last gasp, the final whistle was nearing and this could very well be the last kick of the game.
Nguyen sent it into the box. What happened next very much could remain up for debate, frustration and complaint.
What is clear — the ball hit Carrasco in the shoulder, Carrasco was in the box and the referee blew the whistle for a hand ball. Whether it was a hand ball or not is still unclear. The official initially was marking the New England Revolution for a free kick just outside the box, a dangerous position dangerously similar to last week’s loss to Philadelphia Union.
The arguing began. And the official, likely communicating with the booth and his secondary officials, would eventually change his call as Revolution players surrounded him. Orlando City’s pleas fell on deaf ears and New England would line up for a penalty kick.
In the 96th minute, Nguyen fired home the penalty kick for a stunning and frustrating 2-2 draw at the Orlando Citrus Bowl on Sunday, sending Orlando City fans into a frenzy of boos and more than a few water bottles, beer cans and other debris onto the field.
The frustration over another controversial call in the dying moments of a game had continued to boil over for the Lions. They put themselves in a bad situation and allowed the refs to make a call, but they also did not deserve a call that had this much question at such a critical moment. There will be another review and another order.
But no change in result. Just anger and frustration.
Orlando City certainly looked like they were on their way to win even before Kevin Molino’s 92nd minute blast on a cross that fell right to his feet. The Lions were putting pressure on throughout the final 15 minutes of the game.
Adrian Heath made a great tactical decision to bring in Cyle Larin off the bench and pair him with Julio Baptista up top. It dropped Kaka to the midfield and unlocked a good chunk of Orlando City’s offense.
Kaka found ample space on the left side and was aggressive attacking it and creating for his teammates. The attack only got strong with Larin getting into rhythm and Molino getting involved too. The Lions full offensive power was on display as they worked desperately to break a tie and take control of the game.
It really looked like they would with that late goal from Molino.
It was not always like that though. The Lions were struggling for much of the game to maintain possession and get on the attack.
Their first goal was set up on a long ball off the kickoff to Baptista. Baptista’s size proved to be too much for New England’s defense and the fouled him in the box to prevent his bursting in on goal. Kaka finished from the penalty spot.
The rest of the first half and part of the second half was spent watching Orlando City turn the ball over and struggling to get out of its own end. Seb Hines and Joe Bendik had to lead a scrambling defense to maintain the lead and then maintain the tie.
New England inevitably would score when Nguyen broke down the defense and fired a cross that landed at Teal Bunbury’s feet for a goal right in front of net. The Revolution were knocking on the door too much.
Orlando City was clearly still getting used to playing with each other with Baptista and defender Kevin Alston getting their first starts for the team. That unfamiliarity certainly hurt the Lions throughout the game.
When it clicked it clicked really well. Orlando City should feel comfortable and confident with what the team can build moving forward.
The feeling though leaving the pitch was nothing but frustration. Orlando City had two points left on the field. More than that, the team likely feels like it had two points taken away on a controversial call.
The unfortunate part is that has become the norm and expected of late for Orlando City.
