Not only overcoming Florida rivals Inter Miami 1-0 on Saturday, Orlando City SC also overcame a rain delay of over two hours to arrest a two-game losing streak in MLS.
Kick-off was originally scheduled for 8:05pm. But the game started at 10:25pm local time, crazily spanning both Saturday evening and the early hours of Sunday morning.
No goal separated the Sunshine Clásico rivals in regulation. But on 92 minutes, Damion Lowe’s own goal earned the Lions a much-needed hard fought victory.
In stoppage time, the Jamaican international took a wild swing at Jake Mulraney‘s left-footed cross, ballooning the ball into his own net past Drake Callender.
The first player in MLS history to score a stoppage time own goal in a 1-0 loss, the strike sent a hot and sweaty Exploria Stadium crowd into late, late jubilation.
Heading into the game, Orlando City SC supporters were growing restless at City’s inconsistent 2022 campaign.
Looking brilliant one moment, and unconvincing the next, it’s difficult to predict how Orlando City SC will perform from one week to another.
But in a typically hectic mid-season schedule, all that mattered was grabbing three points, especially in MLS Rivalry Week.
In fairness to Inter Miami, they yet again pushed the Lions close, always raising their game in Sunshine Clásico fixtures.
But it was the SIXTH time in EIGHT league meetings that just ONE goal has separated the Florida rivals.
Attention now switches to Wednesday evening with Oscar Pareja‘s side flying west to face Colorado Rapids.
It’s the fourth time that City have visited Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in MLS.
Last Saturday, Robin Fraser’s Rapids rescued a two-goal deficit to draw 2-2 with Rocky Mountain Cup rivals Real Salt Lake.
Colorado Rapids vs Orlando City SC – 2015/20 head-to-head stats
The last time Orlando City SC faced Colorado Rapids, it was City’s final game before an unprecedented five-month COVID-19 layoff.
On Gameweek 2, MLS supporters were completely unaware of what was to come. In this game, City were cruelly punished with a buzzer beater.
After Younes Namli slalomed past the Lions’ defence to score the opener (64 minutes), Orlando City SC thought they’d stolen a point late on.
Replacing Benji Michel, sub Chis Mueller was brightest to sweep home a smart Andrés Perea through ball on 82 minutes.
Agonisingly, there was one more crucial play.
Veteran defender Drew Moor leaped highest to head home a 90th minute game winner.
Orlando City SC had to stew on this goal for over five months.
This was before resuming action in the inaugural Sunshine Clásico against Inter Miami to open the #MLSisBack Tournament.
Colorado Rapids 2 Orlando City SC 1 – Highlights – March 7, 2020 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
In the last MLS head-to-head, Colorado Rapids achieved something they hadn’t in five previous attempts – beating Orlando City SC (2-1) for the first time in MLS.
Reviewing the clubs’ SIX league meetings so far, Orlando City SC hold a handsome record of FOUR wins and ONE draw.
In the last Exploria Stadium meeting (April 2019), City won 4-3. This was a game that literally had everything, weather delay and all!
Orlando City SC‘s second victory of 2019 six games in, an 89th minute penalty from Nani stole all three points in a game where the lead changed hands four times.
You could forgive The Wall for fearing the worst when Cole Bassett steered Rapids into a 2-3 lead (71 minutes).
But after enduring a one-hour lightning delay with the second-half kicking off at 9:40pm local time, Orlando City SC mustered all their energy to strike twice through Chris Mueller and Nani in the final 10 minutes.
It’s fair to say, the locals went home delighted.
Orlando City SC 4 Colorado Rapids 3 – Highlights – April 6, 2019 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
In recent head-to-head history, things have been tight between Colorado Rapids and Orlando City SC in MLS.
Indeed, the last THREE league head-to-heads have all been separated by ONE goal.
Besides the aforementioned 2-1 and 4-3 victories, Orlando City SC were 1-2 winners at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in April 2018.
Orlando City UK hosted our very own Watch Party in London for this fantastic 1-2 comeback win under Jason Kreis.
On that occasion, second-half goals from Cristian Higuita and Yoshimar Yotún sealed an impressive victory in front of the travelling Ruckus and Iron Lion Firm.
Colorado Rapids form
The good news is that Colorado Rapids are a side struggling for victories right now.
Robin Fraser’s Rapids are winless in FIVE games, last tasting victory against Seattle Sounders (1-0) back on May 22.
That said, form didn’t count for much when D.C. United recently visited Exploria Stadium, inflicting a shocking 3-5 win.
Losing three consecutive games before visiting the 407, Orlando City SC embarrassingly handed the Black and Red an unexpected road win.
Considering D.C. United just lost 7-0 to Philadelphia Union, Orlando City SC need to get better at beating teams low on confidence.
One other Rapids related footnote is that centre back Lalas Abubakar has two goals in two MLS games too.
Orlando City SC form
It seems like ages since Orlando City SC last emphatically won an MLS fixture, right?
Putting our supporters through their fair share of nervousness this term, our attack is far from the finished article.
The stats prove it too.
THREE of the Lions’ last FOUR MLS fixtures have been separated by ONE goal with City going 2-0-2 in this streak.
Taking 2022 as a whole, Orlando City SC have only won by a two-goal margin twice, against CF Montréal (2-0) and Columbus Crew (0-2).
Orlando City SC 1 Inter Miami 0 – Highlights – July 9, 2022 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
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