Orlando City endures second consecutive draw
By Official Florida FC
Inter Miami 2, Nashville SC 1
Don’t look now, but the Herons are undefeated in their last four. Indiana Vassilev scored a stoppage time winner to give Inter Miami a home victory Sunday afternoon.
Inter Miami turned in one of its best performances of the season. Phil Neville’s team maintained possession defensively, were sound in midfield and its attack of Gonzalo Higuain, Lewis Morgan and Mexican international Rodolfo Pizarro.
Nevertheless, the home team found themselves trailing after former USMNT striker C.J. Sapong headed home Nashville’s first corner of the game in the 48th.
Higuain scored at the hour mark to tie the match. It set the stage for Vassilev to score the winner.
Inter Miami (4-8-4, 16 points) is no longer at the foot of the Eastern Conference. Nashville (6-2-10, 28 points) remains winless on the road this season.
Orlando City 1, FC Cincinnati 1
The Lions dropped points against a team in the depths of the Eastern Conference once again on Saturday night. Orlando City (8-4-6, 30 points) remains in second place in the Eastern Conference, but their chances of catching New England (12-3-4, 40 points) in the Supporters Shield race are getting bleaker by the week.
Orlando City had multiple chances in the first 30 minutes, but did not put one past the imminently beatable Kenneth Vermeer.
Nani’s 56th minute goal helped Orlando City match Brenner’s 42nd minute opener. The Portuguese was a second half substitute, who scored within two minutes of replacing Joao Moutinho. Nani’s ninth goal of the season helped the Lions secure a draw for the second straight match.
Orlando Pride 2, Chicago Red Stars 0
The Pride won for the first time in six weeks on Sunday following goals from Jodie Taylor and Sydney Leroux. Former Satellite Beach resident Ashlyn Harris made a trio of saves to help new Pride head coach – and longtime University of Florida head coach – Becky Burleigh her first win as a professional soccer coach.
Leroux’s 89th minute goal was her league-leading seventh of the season.
Orlando should have attacking reinforcements on its way now that the Olympics are over. Brazilian international Marta has returned to training and USWNT forward Alex Morgan should be arriving this week.
Orlando (5-4-5, 20 points) will host league leaders Portland (9-3-1, 28 points) on Saturday night at Exploria Stadium.
