Defender Robin Jansson scored his first goal of the season and Orlando City continued their strong away form with a 1-1 draw against the New England Revolution on Wednesday night in Foxborough, Mass.
Jansson’s leveler was enough to preserve Orlando’s 13th point away from home this season, tied for the second-most earned in the Eastern Conference. Both of the game’s goals came in the first half.
Pedro Gallese made two saves for the Lions (6-5-4, 22 points) two days after he started for Peru in a World Cup qualifying playoff match in Qatar.
Carles Gil scored early for his fourth of the season, the most by an active New England player after Adam Buksa was transferred to RC Lens of the French first division earlier this month.
Djordje Petrovic made four saves in his first home start for the Revs (5-5-5, 20 points) after his April signing, assuming the starting role with Matt Turner on international duty and soon to depart for England’s Arsenal F.C.
Gustavo Bou picked up his first assist as New England extended its unbeaten run to seven matches (3-0-4) but also settled for a draw in a third consecutive home game.
Shortly after Petrovic made a strong save to deny Orlando’s Alexandre Pato, Gil put New England ahead in the 22nd minute on a stylish counter attack.
Bou did some of the heavy lifting when he received the ball on the left and used his dribbling to evade two defenders before finding Gil. However, the Spaniard still had work to do, curling a gorgeous, left-footed strike from beyond the penalty area into the far left corner to beat Gallese.
New England’s lead lasted only 13 minutes. After a defender blocked Orlando’s initial header from a corner kick, Jansson brought down the loose ball in the penalty area, took a couple touches to the left and then hammered a low finish to beat Petrovic through his legs.
The Revolution goalkeeper made up for his error late in the second half when he saved either side’s best chance at a winner, diving low to his right to deny Kyle Smith.
–Field Level Media
