Facundo Torres scored just before halftime, and Orlando City held on to hand MLS-leading FC Cincinnati their first home loss of the season with a 1-0 victory on Saturday night.
Substitute Ramiro Enrique pushed the ball past Cincinnati defender Matt Miazga all the way to the end line, where he passed through the box for a waiting Torres to convert in the 44th minute for his 11th goal of the season.
Despite midfielder Wilder Cartagena being issued a red card late in stoppage time, Orlando (13-6-8, 47 points) remained stout and stymied Cincinnati (17-4-6, 57 points), which was 12-0-1 at home, where its previous league defeat came to Chicago on Oct. 1 of last season.
Orlando, meanwhile, has seven wins and a league-best 25 road points. It also improved to 4-0-1 in its last five MLS matches — and 3-0-1 on the road.
While Orlando pressed through the first few minutes of the match, FC Cincinnati had the night’s first quality chance in the seventh. However, Sergio Santos’ breakaway goal was negated when he was called for offside.
Orlando City was dealt a serious blow just beyond the half-hour mark when starting striker Duncan McGuire exited due to an apparent shoulder injury, but was subbed by Enrique. Moments later, however, Orlando’s Cesar Araujo was in position to convert amid a net-front scrum on a corner, but couldn’t muster enough contact with the ball.
Orlando, though, eventually opened the scoring just before the half when Enrique set up Torres and quieted the fervent Cincinnati supporters.
Cincinnati nearly equalized in the 58th minute when a point-blank strike from MVP candidate Luciano Acosta was saved by Orlando keeper Pedro Gallese. In the 61st minute, a pushing Aaron Boupendza rolled a cross-legged shot wide.
FCC continued to press in the final 15-plus minutes of the match and throughout the lengthy amount of stoppage time.
–Field Level Media
