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Controversial calls see Orlando City, Revs tie

Photo by Kim Klement/USA Today Sports
Photo by Kim Klement/USA Today Sports

It may have been a just result in the end, but both Orlando City and the New England Revolution will be thinking they deserved more from Sunday’s tie at the Citrus Bowl.

Center official Baldomero Toledo’s calls — and a non-call before Kevin Molino’s goal in stoppage time — will be debated for days to come as the Lions and Revs finished in a 2-2 tie.

Orlando City and the Revolution looked well on their way to a respectable 1-1 tie, but Molino scored a controversial goal in the 92nd minute. The Revs were visibly frustrated with Molino’s goal because they thought he clearly used his hand before firing his shot.

The home side just had to hold on for a few more minutes to earn all three points, but Toledo made another controversial decision at the other end. He called a handball on Servando Carrasco to give the Revs a chance at redemption, and Lee Nguyen converted from the spot to force the tie.

Toldeo’s first controversial call occurred 15 seconds into Sunday’s game. Julio Baptista, who was making his MLS debut, drew a foul in the Revs penalty box moments into the game before Kaka scored from the spot.

Before halftime, Teal Bunbury scored a goal from the doorstep after a Chris Tierney cross was headed down in front of goal by Gershon Koffie.

The Revs will now travel to the nation’s capital where they will meet D.C. United on April 23, while Orlando City will also travel northeast but play the New York Red Bulls one day later.

Man of the Match

Kaka scored his second goal of the season on Sunday, and he was instrumental in the buildup of many Orlando City chances.

Moment of the Match

There were many questionable calls made in Sunday’s 2-2 tie, but Baldomero Toledo’s decision to award a penalty to the Revolution in second-half stoppage time was the most head-scratching of them all. Toldeo, at first, whistled for a handball outside of the box, but he eventually awarded a penalty kick. Replays clearly showed the ball bounce off of Servando Carrasco’s chest, but Lee Nguyen took advantage of the opportunity to see the Revs earn a share of the points.

Match to Forget

Baldomero Toledo had a rough day as the center official, to say the least. A referee — and their decisions — should not be the focus of conversation and debate after a game, but unfortunately, Toldeo was on Sunday.

Comments

  1. Thought TT was right. Neither of us called it a clear dive or poor call…just soft. You and i disagree then Patrick. Were we wrong about the hand-ball asst?

    Were you at the match. If you were, congrats, the stadium was rocking. Love the flags..etc “the new Magic Kingdom”. But the bottle-throwing, which i’m sure was from a small minority, was pathetic.

    OCL has put together a remarkable marketing campaign

    Reply
  2. Heath has no room to whine. Soft PK for Orlando to start the match. Hand-ball assisted goal on Orlando’s second goal. Kaka is class. And though i’m not a Heath fan or an OCity fan –being from Tampa– the fans of Orlando City get my kudos. The attendance and stadium atmosphere looks amazing. Keep it up.

    Reply
    • How exactly was it a soft Pk? You sound like the foolish Taylor Twellman talking about a dive as the guys getting his arms pulled/held and his heel/leg clipped by the defender. I counted no less than 3 fouls committed against Baptiste. You’re crazy

      Reply
  3. Orlando’s second goal was a hand ball. Replay clearly shows that. The hand ball called against them may have actually hit the players chest but it made up for the hand assisted go ahead goal so things worked out as they should have.

    Toledo and Geiger will both be calling games next week. Don’t worry

    Reply

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