Notable Matches
June 17, 2015 vs. Charleston Battery - One of the wildest matches in Orlando City history happened this week in 2015, when the Lions battled USL side Charleston Battery to a 4-4 draw in the U.S. Open Cup Round of 32. The game was scoreless into the second half, when Charleston took the lead twice only to be answered both times, first by Lewis Neal and then by a Carlos Rivas penalty kick. In extra time, the Rocket was sent to the spot twice more and finished both times to put Orlando up 4-2, but current RSL midfielder Justin Portillo netted twice in the final 15 minutes of the extra period to tie the game again. It took ten rounds of penalty kicks, with Orlando on the brink multiple times, before Danny Mwanga followed a Charleston miss with the game-winning goal.
June 18, 2016 vs. San Jose Earthquakes - This game was notable almost entirely for what happened off the field. Just six days after the Pulse nightclub shooting, the community came together at Camping World Stadium for the Orlando United game, dedicated to the 49 innocent lives lost that night. A crowd of 37,194 raised rainbow flags in tribute, and the match was halted in the 49th minute for silence to honor the victims. With emotions running high, Julio Baptista gave Orlando a late lead with this stunning volley.
