By Alonso Contreras
Orlando City SC had a very important game at stake, to stay at home in the U.S. Open Cup, but first, they had to beat an always difficult Nashville SC, an opponent they beat in the 2021 season opener.
For the first fifteen minutes, both teams attacked without danger, a shot by Mukhtar to the post guarded by goalkeeper Pedro Gallese was sent to the corner kick.
A good counterattack led by Facundo after the last corner kick ended up scaring Nashville's defensive backline, without any danger for the goalkeeper.
There were dangerous chances in the remainder of the first half for both Orlando and Nashville. It was the visiting team that had more shots on goal.
Pedro Gallese recorded 4 saves of which 3 were dangerous.
48' Urso had a chance to open the scoring but sent the ball into the stands. A combination between Mauricio and Facundo put the ball to the penalty spot for Urso who missed this huge opportunity.
50' Kara invented a bicycle kick when the ball was left in the air and ended up being a pass to Mauricio who made contact with the ball but it went out of bounds.
The goal for Nashville by Mukhtar.
https://twitter.com/opencup/status/1542302810909224960?s=20&t=i543y7cpPt6qYBI7p0nxYw
57' Great pass by Tesho to Kara who has the opportunity to equalize the goal but the goalkeeper guessed where the ball was going.
58' Ruan created an individual play where he was one on one with the goalkeeper but he was too hasty and the ball went over the goal.
57' Great pass by Tesho to Kara who has the opportunity to equalize the goal but the goalkeeper guessed where the ball was going.
58' Ruan created an individual play where he was one on one with the goalkeeper but he was too hasty and the ball went over the goal.
In the last minute of the game, Pedro Gallese went up for the last free-kick of regular time where a series of rebounds ended up at the feet of Argentine defender Rodrigo Schlegel who scored the equalizer, sending the game into overtime.
https://twitter.com/opencup/status/1542313358593994752?s=20&t=pVNHR32i0peoBWc2iazSrA
STOPPAGE TIME
one minute into overtime, Nashville's Sean Davis was sent off for a double yellow card.
PENALTY KICKS
Pedro Gallese shined in the penalty kick shootout, saving two penalties to send Orlando to the Cup semifinals.
https://twitter.com/opencup/status/1542329181102436352?s=20&t=AJEEpMTYE0OUnBGaxKbiAw
