After a simply horrible refereeing performance from Joe Dickerson at Austin FC (2-2), Orlando City SC are back at Exploria Stadium to face fellow Texan side FC Dallas.
Brandishing red cards to Rodrigo Schlegel and César Araújo at Q2 Stadium, the latter was understandable but Schlegel’s dismissal was really bad at best and grossly incompetent at worst.
Starting fantastically, Orlando City SC led 0-2 through Ercan Kara and Ruan goals by the 22nd minute.
It all started going wrong just before the hour mark, however.
On 58 minutes, Jon Gallagher’s powerful strike hit Rodrigo Schlegel‘s hand from close range.
With Joe Dickerson handing Schlegel a yellow, this was a tad harsh, yet understandable considering the Argentine had made himself “unnaturally bigger” in the context of current IFAB rules.
Then, only a matter of seconds later, Sebastián Driussi’s resulting free-kick was cannoned into the Orlando City SC wall quicker than a flash.
Cue sheer bemusement as Dickerson immediately pointed to the penalty spot (ignoring VAR) for a second Rodrigo Schlegel handball in as many minutes.
To make matters worse, Schlegel received a second yellow (and red card) for this second handball offence. Then Sebastián Driussi converted the resulting penalty kick.
Honestly, when you watch replays of this crucial moment in the game, Rodrigo Schlegel consciously tucked his right arm in despite the ball making contact.
In other words, on this occasion, Schlegel’s position wasn’t made “unnaturally bigger” unlike his first handball offence.
Playing angry by this point, César Araújo stupidly lunged in on Alexander Ring for a straight red card on 69 minutes.
Playing two men light (9 men) for over 20 minutes, Orlando City SC almost miraculously pulled off a statement 1-2 victory.
It would’ve been a huge win. Especially considering Austin FC were current Western Conference leaders.
But three points weren’t to be. To add insult to injury, Moussa Djitté equalised deep into second-half stoppage time after an incorrectly called corner.
The robbery from PRO Referees was complete!
On Wednesday evening, Orlando City SC helped put any lingering negativity out of their mind by defeating Florida rivals Inter Miami on penalties to reach the 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup quarter-finals.
Currently third in the Eastern Conference, any MLS season is a marathon, not a sprint.
Despite our disappointment at Austin FC, the Lions are still in a great spot after 13 games.
Elsewhere, Orlando City SC will have a temporary change of colour scheme for this MLS fixture at Exploria Stadium.
The Lions will wear the limited edition ‘semi night flash and scarlet’ version of the 2022 Orlando City SC Adidas PRIMEBLUE jersey during this game.
With FC Dallas wearing a ‘white and glow pink’ Adidas PRIMEBLUE jersey too, these eco-friendly jerseys form part of an environmental awareness initiative between Adidas and Major League Soccer.
Orlando City SC vs FC Dallas – 2015/20 head-to-head stats
Orlando City SC last faced FC Dallas in September 2020.
The Lions earned a hard fought 0-0 away draw to extend their unbeaten run to eight games.
Part of a difficult two-game road swing that began at Sporting Kansas City four days earlier, Oscar Pareja‘s City took an impressive four points from six.
Despite travel fatigue and tired legs, City performed admirably on Pareja’s return to Frisco. Especially since we held on for 20+ minutes with 10 men at Toyota Stadium.
After Jhegson Méndez saw red in the 69th minute, the team dug incredibly deep.
So much so that it didn’t really feel like 11 versus 10 thereafter.
FC Dallas 0 Orlando City SC 0 – Highlights – September 16, 2020 (Credit: FC Dallas)
FC Dallas have been a real tough nut for Orlando City SC to crack since entering Major League Soccer.
Earning just ONE MLS victory over the side from the Lone Star State, this came back in August 2019.
With The City Beautiful on a high having just hosted the 2019 MLS All-Star Game, Orlando City SC kept the feel-good factor going.
Defeating FC Dallas 2-0 at home, it was the Lions’ first victory in four games. This coincided with James O’Connor attempting to kick-start our bid to reach the 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs.
On an important night at Exploria Stadium, Tesho Akindele gave City a 21st minute lead against his former side.
However, home supporters faced an agonising wait as the Lions aimed to make a crucial three points safe.
They could breathe a big sigh of relief in stoppage time however. Carlos Ascues scored what proved to be his only goal in purple.
Orlando City SC 2 FC Dallas 0 – Highlights – August 3, 2019 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
Not only was Orlando City SC‘s 2-0 August 2019 win over FC Dallas their first victory over Toros.
It was also the first time we scored against them too.
Remarkably going four MLS games (360 minutes) against Orlando City SC without conceding, this goalscoring curse is now over.
Of course, Orlando City SC have come on leaps and bounds during Oscar Pareja‘s tenure.
Nowadays, the Lions are now more than capable of scoring against any MLS opponent.
Orlando City SC form
Their priority number one is keeping goals out, not scoring them, but Orlando City SC defenders continue making the scoresheet in MLS!
Remarkably, FIVE of the Lions’ last EIGHT Major League Soccer goals have been scored by defenders.
After our 1-0 win over Chicago Fire on April 9, Rodrigo Schlegel, Ruan (x2), João Moutinho and Kyle Smith have all found the net to City supporters’ delight.
Last Sunday, Ruan impressively doubled Orlando City SC‘s lead at Austin FC, only for PRO Referees to make things go awry.
Austin FC 2 Orlando City SC 2 – Highlights – May 22, 2022 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
FC Dallas form
USMNT winger Paul Arriola is a player reborn after his record-breaking off-season trade from D.C. United to FC Dallas.
Impressively, Arriola has scored in each of FC Dallas’ last FOUR consecutive MLS fixtures.
So far in 2022, Paul Arriola has FIVE goals and TWO assists, and will need to be marked carefully.
The 27-year-old is only second to Jesús Ferreira (NINE goals, TWO assists) on Toros’ goals and assists leaderboard right now.
…
Support Orlando City UK
Passionate about what we do, Orlando City UK content will always be free. The most important thing for us is sharing our love of Orlando City SC with you all and donations are by no means expected. However, if you enjoy our content, a token towards the regular maintenance of Orlando City UK is hugely appreciated!
