Foxborough, Mass. — Martin Ojeda’s two-goal performance lifted Orlando City SC to a 2-1 victory over the New England Revolution on Saturday night, breaking the team’s four-match winless streak and securing their third road win in the last four games.
Ojeda’s brace marked his 11th and 12th goals of the season, and helped Orlando (10-6-8, 38 points) extend their unbeaten streak against New England (6-10-7, 25 points) to five matches, with four of those results being victories.
A Swift Response After New England’s Equalizer
After Ojeda put Orlando ahead early, New England responded in the second half. Tomas Chancalay, a halftime substitute, capitalized on a lapse in concentration from Orlando goalkeeper Pedro Gallese. Chancalay caught Gallese off his near post, scoring a clever low shot to level the match in the 55th minute.
However, the Revolution’s joy was short-lived. Just three minutes later, Orlando regained the lead with a brilliant team effort. Ivan Angulo slalomed past New England’s Matt Polster on the left side and delivered a perfectly timed pass into the 6-yard box. Ojeda sprinted onto the ball, smashing a first-time finish past Revolution keeper Aljaz Ivacic into the roof of the net, giving the Lions the lead for good.
Gallese Shines with Key Saves
Though New England threatened to equalize, Pedro Gallese made crucial saves to preserve Orlando’s advantage. In the 65th minute, Gallese was quick to react, denying Chancalay’s attempt from close range. Later, in the 74th minute, he thwarted Peyton Miller’s shot, preserving his team’s lead. Gallese finished the night with three key saves, redeeming himself after the earlier mistake on Chancalay’s equalizer.
Ojeda’s Early Goal Sets the Tone
The match began with a strong offensive showing from Orlando, as they opened the scoring in the 18th minute. Eduard Atuesta delivered a precise long ball over the top of the Revolution defense, and Ivacic, misjudging the delivery, rushed off his line. Ojeda reacted quickly, bypassing the goalkeeper with a deft touch before calmly slotting the ball into the open net, putting Orlando ahead 1-0.
New England’s Struggles Continue
Despite a valiant second-half effort, New England saw their winless run stretch to eight matches. The Revolution’s defense allowed multiple goals for the sixth time during that stretch, a stat that continues to highlight their struggles at the back.
As the match wore on, New England created a few more chances, but Orlando’s defense held firm, with Gallese’s crucial interventions preventing any further damage. The win was a much-needed confidence boost for Orlando City, who had been struggling in recent matches but showed resilience on the road.
Looking Ahead
With the victory, Orlando City SC moves closer to securing a playoff spot, while New England’s playoff hopes continue to fade as their winless streak extends. The Revolution will need to regroup quickly if they’re to turn their season around.
