Orlando City takes top spot in MLS Eastern Conference after thrilling shootout win

Orlando City SC booked their semifinals ticket in the 2024 Audi MLS Cup Eastern Conference in a fashion few might have predicted: from a game decided in the dying seconds to a nail-biting penalty shootout, the team now moves on to Inter&Co Stadium to face Atlanta United FC. The Lions showed grit, resilience, and precision-all qualities needed to survive the postseason and, perhaps, get that shot at the title.

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Last-Minute Drama

The match between Orlando City and Charlotte FC was heated right from kick-off, but each play raised it to new heights with a goal that simply would not materialize. As a matter of fact, it wasn't until the 81st minute that fans of Charlotte celebrated the first goal of the match. Liel Abada broke down the wing and crossed it perfectly to Karol Swiderski, who finished with precision. But for Orlando City, it was looking grim, especially with the clock ticking down and victory slipping through their fingers.

In soccer, though, some of its biggest surprises are normally saved for the last seconds. For Lions fans, that proved true in the 90+12th minute when a foul of Duncan McGuire in the box was awarded the penalty upon video review. In came Facundo Torres to take it. Charlotte's keeper Kahlina was equal to the first shot, but the ball rolled right back to Torres. He didn't need a second bid, slotting in the rebound to level the game and send it to penalties.

Penalty Shootout

Regular time finished with a tie and thus the game went to penalties. If the atmosphere was tense until then, the shootout was just the perfect climax. Orlando City needed some coolness and precision, and that was what the team delivered in the process. Facundo Torres, Luis Muriel, Kyle Smith, and Rafael Santos all scored their penalties while putting pressure on Charlotte FC. Pedro Gallese was brilliant between the posts, saving two important shots to give Orlando a 4-1 penalty win.

Gallese was instrumental in that result, and after the win, head coach Oscar Pareja praised the effort of the team and, more importantly, of the fans. "The atmosphere today was phenomenal. Just seeing them in the stadium, supporting us, is the best feeling we can have, and giving back with a win helps us enjoy tonight," said Pareja. I think we were the better team in the series, but the game set us up for this situation. When they scored and sat back, we felt we couldn't break through. But finally, we did, and PKs are probably a very fair result for the effort we put into the series.". Facundo Torres: A Clutch Forward with Tenacity

Facundo Torres proved once again that he's the clutch player Orlando City needs in the playoffs. This was his 20th goal of the 2024 season and his second in the playoffs, but the way it happened says a lot about the forward's style. He didn't give up after Kahlina's save and took full advantage of the rebound to keep the Lions' hopes alive. Torres was cool-headed and focused on the goal at hand, and that persistence is exactly what fans are hoping to see from him in the next round.

What's more, Torres' goal was historic for the club, being the latest regulation-time goal ever scored-at 90+12 minutes. For him and for the fans, too, that goal marked a turning point that should boost the team's spirit going into the matchup with Atlanta United FC.

Semifinal Against Atlanta United FC

The onus now falls on Orlando City, following the exit of Inter Miami CF and FC Cincinnati, to be the highest-seeded team in the Eastern Conference. This will bring an added pressure on the Lions as they take on ninth-seeded Atlanta United FC next Sunday. This is just the chance that Orlando has been waiting for to further their goal in the playoffs and inch closer to the coveted final.

Orlando City goes in with plenty of confidence, but it also understands that Atlanta United is a dangerous opponent that will arrive reenergized and with little to lose. Playing at home in the Inter&Co Stadium could prove to be the difference maker the Lions need-playing at home will allow them to press the visitors while keeping control. With Gallese leading the defense and Torres driving the attack, Pareja has the pieces he needs in order to go for the win.