Orlando City vs. FC Cincinnati: Photo Gallery

Well that was… costly. The Force was not with Orlando City (2-5-3, 9 points) on Star Wars night, as the Lions fell to FC Cincinnati (6-2-3, 21 points) 1-0. The loss was painful enough, but the Lions also lost center back Rodrigo Schlegel to an early red card, and fullbacks Dagur Dan Thórhallson and Rafael Santos to a concussion and dislocated shoulder, respectively, on each side of the halftime break.

The Lions’ baffling trend of early defensive disorganization continued, conceding the game’s only goal in the first half minute on a ball over the top. Schlegel was behind his linemates, keeping the play onside, the sudden movement of Acosta put him in behind Robin Jansson and Rafael Santos, and Wilder Cartagena overcommitted to stopping the cross/shot near the end line, allowing Acosta to cut back inside the defense and score.

Despite the constant stream of adversity, the Lions continued battling, looking the more dangerous side until Schlegel’s early shower. Despite that, the team kept getting dangerous looks at the net even down a player. Unfortunately, Orlando’s inability to find the net continued, with high-probability chances rattling the woodwork, cleared off the line, missed in the six-yard box (and a couple great saves as time wound down for good measure).

Orlando will try again on the road at Philadelphia next weekend.

We hope you enjoy these images from a hard-fought contest at Inter&Co Stadium between the teams that finished first and second in the Supporters’ Shield race last season.