Saturday night’s match between Orlando City SC and the San Jose Earthquakes was special for reasons that go beyond play on the field, but the latter spoiled the Lions’ chance at three points.
Shea Salinas played hero for the Earthquakes, who pulled off a 2-2 draw at Camping World Stadium against Orlando City. The second-half substitute leveled the match in second-half stoppage time after entering the game in the 62nd minute.
Julio Baptista volleyed home a Carlos Rivas cross minutes prior giving the Lions the temporary lead in the 91st minute.
The Earthquakes had previously pulled level five minutes from full time when Chad Barrett scored his first goal of the season off of a header.
Orlando centerback Seb Hines opened the scoring after powering home a header in the 66th minute. Adrian Winter played provider on the goal, taking the corner kick after Hines forced the set piece when his previous header was punched over the bar by Earthquakes keeper David Bingham.
Both sides struggled to find a rhythm in the opening 45 minutes, with neither team managing on shot on target. Orlando produced two quality headers that narrowly missed the Earthquakes net in the first half, while Servando Carrasco’s sixth-minute free kick hit the roof of the net.
The Earthquakes saw many of their international representatives return to action on Saturday, however, Chris Wondolowski’s prolonged absence with the U.S. Men’s National Team proved to be a a major loss for the team’s attack.
Orlando will return to action on June 25 when the Lions host Toronto FC, while the Earthquakes take on the LA Galaxy in the final Cali Clasico of the regular season later that evening.
MAN OF THE MATCH
The points were Orlando’s for the taking twice, but Shea Salinas put a damper on the mood at Camping World Stadium with his last-second finish.
MOMENT OF THE MATCH
The Earthquakes appeared to be doomed after Seb Hines opened the scoring after the hour mark, but Chad Barrett‘s header proved to be the spark that got the team back in the match.
MATCH TO FORGET
Orlando defended well throughout the night, but Joe Bendik and the backline will be kicking themselves for allowing two points to slip away at home.