Orlando City earns first home victory of 2019 season, 4-3 against Colorado Rapids
ORLANDO, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - Saturday night's match between Orlando City SC and the Colorado Rapids had it all, ranging from an hour-plus weather delay, lead changes, superstar controversy and history made. When all was said and done, the Lions escaped with a 4-3 win over the Western Conference visitors, earning their first home victory of the 2019 season.
Matters got underway in the 9th minute, when Kei Kamara capitalized on an Orlando miscue at the back to make it 1-0. That strike, which pushed Kamara up fifth on the all-time goals scored list in MLS, was quickly negated before halftime. Nani scored his first-ever goal in MLS in the 31st minute, heading at the back post, only for Tesho Akindele to add another in the 33rd.
During halftime, lightning prompted a weather delay of one hour and one minute, from which Colorado emerged as the aggressor. That provided a platform for Nicolas Mezquida heading home an equalizer in the 61st, then Cole Bassett curly home a left-footed beauty to make it 3-2 in the 71st.
Orlando, no stranger to high-octane games at home, roared back once second-year winger Chris Mueller was subbed in. The University of Wisconsin product slotted home in the 81st, only for Nani to bag the eventual game-winner in the 89th minute on a penalty kick.