Orlando City beat Columbus; set up playoff matchup with CF Montréal

After being in the playoff picture for practically the entire season, Orlando City fell out of the top seven with one game remaining. It came down to decision day against the Columbus Crew for the final playoff spot in the Eastern conference.

Orlando City v. Columbus

Heading into the game, Orlando City faced many questions about whether it had the ability to win in clutch moments.

“We need to give more than 100 percent,” Orlando City’s Ercan Kara said.

Kara was the team’s leading goal scorer with 12 in all competitions.

Orlando City went on a dry spell after winning the 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open cup, only winning just one game since a thrilling 3-0 victory over Sacramento Republic.

Derrick Etienne Jr. put Columbus up 1-0 in the 38th minute and it was looking grim for the Lions. It was Etienne’s ninth goal of the season.

⚡️ DERRICK STRIKES ⚡️#Crew96 | 0-1 pic.twitter.com/I9lqYYcwwa

— The Crew (@ColumbusCrew) October 9, 2022

But in the 56th minute midfielder Júnior Urso equalized from a pass by Mauricio Pererya.  It was Pererya’s first assist in 15 games for the Lions.

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In the 83rd minute Columbus Crew’s Milos Degenek was blown for a handball in the box that was later confirmed by VAR. Facundo Torres slotted home the penalty kick in the 84th minute to give Orlando City its first lead of the game.

Goalkeeper Pedro Gallese sealed the deal for the lions with a stop of Lucas Zelaryán’s shot in the sixth minute of stoppage time.

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Orlando City v. Montréal

The two teams shared the points in the regular season, with each earning a win. Orlando City opened its season with a 2-0 win, with goals from Alexandre Pato and Benji Michel.

The reverse fixture between the sides saw Montréal earn an impressive 4-1 win over the Lions. Montréal added two goals late in the match to seal the deal.

Montréal is hot heading into the postseason. It is on a six-game unbeaten run and is the No. 2 overall seed in the Eastern conference.

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The winner will face either Inter Miami or New York City. Both are familiar foes to Orlando.

Match Details

Orlando City will take on CF Montréal  Sunday, at 8:00 p.m..

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