Orlando City Lose 4-0 at Charlotte and Must Wait to Clinch a Playoff Spot
Orlando City's five-game unbeaten run ended in a 4-0 loss at Charlotte FC on Saturday — Henry Kessler scored in the sixth minute, and three second-half goals put the game away, leaving the Lions to settle their playoff fate next Saturday.
Orlando City will have to wait another week to seal their playoff fate. Charlotte FC beat the Lions 4-0 at Bank of America Stadium on Saturday, riding a second-half surge that prevented Orlando from clinching a playoff spot. Henry Kessler headed Charlotte in front in the sixth minute, powering in a free kick lofted into the box by Ashley Westwood, and the home side never trailed again.
Allan Saint-Maximin doubled the lead in the 49th minute, dribbling from midfield to the edge of the box before scoring past Maxime Crepeau. Orlando's best spell produced saves from Kristijan Kahlina, who finished with seven, but the third goal came in the 84th minute: Rodolfo Aloko drew a penalty when Ivan Angulo pushed him in the box, Crepeau saved Saint-Maximin's spot kick, and new signing Abdoulaye Doucoure scored the rebound on his Charlotte debut. Aloko finished the scoring himself in the fourth minute of stoppage time, volleying in a cross from Tyger Smalls. Saint-Maximin was sent off in the 89th minute after a spat with Orlando defender Wilder Cartagena and will miss Charlotte's game at Inter Miami.
The numbers frame what is at stake now. Orlando City (12-14-7, 43 points) saw a five-game unbeaten streak end, and it was the first time the Lions failed to score in a league game since May 9 against Inter Miami. Charlotte (15-10-8, 53 points) continued its push for a top-four finish and home-field advantage in Round One of the MLS Cup playoffs. Orlando host New England next Saturday with their playoff place still to be settled.
