• Final stats

Our XI. 😈#ORLvCHI | #VamosOrlando pic.twitter.com/i37PQLSmWq

— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) May 26, 2018

ORLANDO, Fla. – From the eye test to just about every statistic, it appeared Orlando City SC was on the verge of breaking its two-game losing streak. The Lions out-shot Chicago (20-10, 5-4 on-goal), held more possession (60.2 percent-39.8 percent), recorded more corners (7-3) and even completed 90.4 percent of their 512 passes.

A late winner by Chicago Fire forward Alan Gordon, however, decided otherwise, as the Lions (6-5-1, 19 points) lost their third-straight game in a 2-1 loss to Chicago (4-6-2, 14 points) at Orlando City Stadium Saturday night in front of 25,288 fans.

“I certainly can’t remember a night where I felt like we were more dominant–with this club and maybe with any club, to be honest,” City head coach Jason Kreis said after the loss. “So, we walk out of this night thinking about how cruel this game can be, how cruel this job can be and trying to grasp at the positives, for sure, but I’m just really, really frustrated, right now.”

With the game tied at 1-1, Gordon, who came on for 2017 Golden Boot winner Nemanja Nikolić after halftime, scored the game-winner in the 82nd minute.

The 36-year-old received a pass from midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger and subsequently took a touch, positioning himself about 10 to 15 yards outside the box. With both City center backs staring Gordon down, Gordon struck it past the outstretched arms of City keeper Joe Bendik.

“It’s a tough night; it’s a tough one to swallow,” right back R.J. Allen said after the match. “You know, we left ’em hanging around. We created so many chances, and it’s a tough way to lose.

“It’s a wonder strike by [Gordon]. I haven’t seen it yet…but, you know, it’s definitely something that we can do better there. Someone’s gotta close down…the time and space before he can strike.”

In the waning minutes of stoppage time, midfielder Sacha Kljestan went down inside Chicago’s box with Fire midfielder Mohammed Adams. Kljestan was subsequently kicked in the face by Adams, warranting a red card. Kljestan also received a yellow card for the sequence.

Afterward, Chicago was awarded possession and a free kick, much to the confusion of Kreis.

“This is where, I guess, I’ll have to plead my soccer ignorance,” Kreis recalled. “Because, going into tonight…I think it was specifically told to me that any red card that happens during a dead-ball situation, where that red-card violation is, that’s where the foul is awarded.

“So, from my point of view, if there is an objectionable offense, if it happens in the penalty box, it’s a penalty. ‘Cause, otherwise, I can just imagine scenarios. I can imagine a scenario where the ball is out of play or for a corner kick, and a player hauls off and strikes another player in the penalty box. Wouldn’t that be a penalty kick?”

Orlando City trailed 1-0 after 13 minutes, but they responded with a furious attack to level it by the 28th minute.

Midfielder Cristian Higuita took one of the Lions’ 10 first-half shots and scored the equalizer off an assist by rookie Chris Mueller. Fellow rookie Josué Colmán laid off the ball to Mueller, attracting two or three defenders. Higuita, then, slipped behind the defense, and Mueller played the ball into the box, as Higuita scored the equalizer at the far post.

Higuita and Mueller tallied their third goal and third assist, respectively, as Higuita has scored Orlando City’s last two goals.

“For me, it’s been important to score the goals, but I would’ve liked a lot better to score and to win,” Higuita said, translated from Spanish, after the match. “For me, I prefer the group objectives instead of my personal objectives.”

Chicago scored the first goal of the match off a free kick. Left back Mohamed El-Munir conceded the foul, one worthy of a yellow card, in the 11th minute to set up attacking midfielder Aleksandar Katai for a nearly unstoppable, top-corner goal past a diving Bendik.

That was a decision that Kreis did not agree with.

“Disappointed, as well, with the referee tonight. Very disappointed,” Kreis said. “The first decision that awards the free kick they score the goal off of, for me, was ludicrous–absolutely ludicrous. Never a foul. So we shouldn’t be behind in that game.

“Unfortunately, the decisions keep racking up against us. I can’t remember the last time I would sit here and tell you that I thought we got the benefit of the doubt. It’s been a while.”

Midfielder Oriol “Uri” Rosell, who was making his second start of the season, nearly helped Orlando City take the lead before halftime. Colmán drew a free kick from just outside the left part of Chicago’s box, near its endline.

Kljestan, then, curled the ensuing free kick to the top of the 6-yard box where Rosell’s header was met by the mitts of Fire keeper Patrick McLain.

Who’s Next?

Orlando City, now, take to the road for a three-game road trip, starting with New York City FC (7-3-3, 24 points) on June 2.

For more on the Lions, as they try to weather the upcoming road trip, follow Victor Tan on Twitter at @NDR_VictorTan.

To contact Victor, you can email him at vtan@newdayreview.com, or you can tweet at him.