ORLANDO, Fla. (CHARLOTTE SPORTS LIVE) — Charlotte FC’s attack was stymied in a 2-0 loss to Orlando City SC Sunday night in the first game of the playoff series.
Entering the best-of-three series on a three-match win streak, the visiting Crown (fifth seed, Eastern Conference) only had two shots on goal possession for just 44 percent of the road match.
The fourth-seeded Orlando City cracked open a scoreless match 32 minutes in with an unassisted goal from Facundo Torres past goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina.
It wasn’t until 44 minutes later that the home team put the match out of reach. Orlando’s Martín Ojeda found the net at 76 minutes, with assists from Ivan Angulo and César Araújo.
Kahlina finished the match with four saves. Orlando had six shots on goal, three times that of FC.
Charlotte’s Pep Biel was given a red card in extra time.
The series comes to Charlotte on Friday with kickoff at 7:30 p.m. The Crown must win to keep their season alive.