Orlando City settles for 0-0 draw in Toronto

In the second match of a two-game road trip, Orlando City SC (7-10-14, 35 points) earned its fourth clean sheet of the season in a 0-0 draw against Toronto FC (13-8-10, 49 points). Goalkeeper Joe Bendik made four saves against his former team.

“Generally I’m pleased. The performance I thought was really good. Obviously we asked for a massive defensive commitment from the players and they gave us that tonight. When they do that, we get shutouts and we put ourselves in a position to win games,” Lions Head Coach Jason Kreis said. “We had a fair amount of chances. On a different night maybe we walk out with all three points, but I’m pleased with the performance.”

The Lions displayed the strong defensive form emphasized by Kreis during a short week of training. Center backs José Aja and David Mateos had good chemistry throughout the match and kept Toronto’s potent attack, which featured Tosaint Ricketts and U.S. national team striker Jozy Altidore, at bay. Left back Luke Boden and right back Kevin Alston, who made his 20th start of the season, were also instrumental to help the team record the shutout.

Bendik, who entered the match third in the league with 105 saves, put out another outstanding performance. The former Toronto goalkeeper made a point-blank save on Ricketts in the 31st minute and quickly followed it up with another strong save on Altidore. He continued the form that has earned him MLS Save of the Week honors 11 times.

Orlando City started the match with Colombian striker Carlos Rivas next to Cyle Larin up top with Kaká, Kevin Molino and Brek Shea in the attacking midfield. Rivas pressed hard on Toronto’s back line and earned several balls back before the Reds could clear. Rivas was subbed off for countryman Cristian Higuita in the 40th minute due to a formation change for City.

The Lions turned up the pressure in the second half after Ricketts received his second yellow card, subbing on Argentinian attacking midfielder Matías Pérez García in the 75th minute. Pérez García combined well with Kaká and Molino and created several chances. Then in the 86th minute, Kreis turned to Brazilian supersub Júlio Baptista. “The Beast,” who leads MLS with three goals off the bench, quickly sparked the attack and nearly put City ahead.

Orlando City face a short turnaround as they return to Camping World Stadium to host the Montreal Impact on Sunday, Oct. 2, for a 1 p.m. ET kickoff. The match will be nationally televised on ESPN.

Cox Media Group