Orlando City dominate early, tally clean sheet vs. Revolution

League: MLS


Posted on: 15 Sep, 2024 at 01:55 AM

Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

Orlando City completed the season sweep of the New England Revolution with a 3-0 victory in Florida on Saturday.

Rafael Santos and Facundo Torres scored first-half goals and Duncan McGuire scored in the second half as Orlando (11-10-7, 40 points) improved to 6-1-1 over its last eight matches.

Pedro Gallese made two saves for Orlando's eighth clean sheet of the season.

Orlando topped New England (8-16-3, 27 points) 3-1 in the only other meeting between the clubs on July 13. The Revs have just one win in its last five (1-2-2).

Torres nearly had his second goal of the night in the 55th minute but put his right-footed strike from outside the area off the woodwork.

Revs midfielder Carles Gil had an excellent opportunity to redeem a first-half blunder in the 60th minute when he was awarded a free kick, but Gallese made an excellent diving save to preserve the clean sheet.

McGuire added insurance in the 74th minute, taking a through ball from Nicolas Lodeiro and squeezing his right-footed shot past Revs keeper Aljaz Ivacic.

Orlando had three shots on target and led 2-0 following the opening 45.

Santos opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, curling his left-footed strike from outside the area into the top of the goal for his first of the season.

Twenty minutes later, Ramiro Enrique nearly made it 2-0 on a partial break, but his right-footed shot went just wide of the goal.

Gil was whistled for a hand ball in the area in the 46th minute. On the ensuing penalty kick, Torres converted on a left-footed shot for his 11th of the season, doubling Orlando's lead heading into the break.

Revolution head coach Caleb Porter served his one game suspension on Saturday for his post-match comments on the officiating following New England's 2-2 draw against St. Louis.

--Field Level Media