Referee complaints fine, Orlando City still lost

Orlando City and the referees have had a tortured relationship so far this year. Tortured might be putting things lightly.

In the past two weeks, the Lions have faced questionable officiating decisions. The PRO, the organization that runs officiating in the MLS, admitted following the Lions’ loss to the Philadelphia Union that what was the game-winning goal on a free kick in stoppage time should have been waved off for offside. Last week at home against the New England Revolution, a questionable handball call in stoppage time allowed New England to tie the game on a penalty kick.

Those were all points off the board in on officiating decisions in a league where every point matters with the teams so bunched up.

The talk coming out of Sunday’s 3-2 loss for Orlando City focused on a single moment early in the first half.

A long ball sent into the box by goalkeeper Joe Bendik with Cyle Larin one on one with the defender. A lot of pulling and grabbing and eventually Larin down on the pitch. It was a call that easily should have been fouled.

63' Bendik launches a drop kick to Cyle Larin who is alone up top. He is taken down in the box, but no call. pic.twitter.com/YOfHIOUqeT

— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) April 25, 2016

And yet again, the PRO admitted it should have been a foul and a penalty kick for Orlando City with a chance to go up 2-0.

The complexion of that game changes if Orlando City is awarded that penalty kick. The result probably does not end up 3-2 with the way momentum was swinging.

Officiating is what it is at this point. Orlando City can easily point to their hard luck with officiating and the general poor level of officiating throughout MLS — something that is not just an Orlando complaint — and cry foul. They have legitimate reason to.

Officiating is rarely the reason games are won or lost though. As Orlando City clung to a one-goal lead set up on a beautiful combination of passes that ended with Larin slotting one home, the team was literally doing that — hanging on.

Joe Bendik was diving and making incredible saves, finishing the game with six saves. Larin even had to come in and head a shot over the bar with Bendik otherwise occupied saving an initial shot. The Red Bulls were knocking on the door before then.

Perhaps it was not getting the call that led to the three-goal barrage in a matter of 10 minutes, but the defense was getting broken down and defeated throughout the match. If Orlando City went up 2-0 and went on to win the game, it would have definitely felt like they were stealing one — and certainly the foul that would have given the penalty kick would also be a red card, again changing the complexion of the game. But the New York Red Bulls still scored three goals in 10 minutes.

The game was flipped on its head. But again it was not unexpected. Orlando City was giving up shots and possession throughout the game.

The Lions gave up nearly 60 percent of possession to the Red Bulls in the game. And New York spent a good chunk of that in the attacking end. There were so many chances, near chances and saves, the problem was more Orlando City’s inability to maintain possession than it was about the missed call.

After the missed call, after all, the Lions were still up 1-0 with that inevitability creeping in.

Orlando City has had issues maintaining possession throughout the season even though its goal scoring is decidedly up. The defense has looked shaky at times and the lineup inconsistency due to injuries — Kaka missed the game with an injury, remaining in Orlando — has disrupted any potential rhythm too. Then there are the fouls in poor spots on the field, a symbol of the defensive inefficiencies and struggles.

Orlando City is playing well and zooming up the tables, but is still not anywhere near full strength.

It has had its escapes too. And now plenty of frustration with the officiating and missed opportunities for one reason or another.

The Lions are still going to fight for better officiating as they should. They have been admittedly robbed of some key decisions. But the bad officiating does not cover up the poor play from the team too. Orlando City still has work to do to achieve its goals.

And ultimately, getting that done and cleaning up its play on defense in particular will take the game out of the referee’s hands.