Jack Lynn and Nicolas Lodeiro scored goals and the Orlando City defense did the rest as the Lions rolled to a 2-0 win over visiting Austin FC on Saturday night.
Mason Stajduhar, in goal for Orlando City (1-3-1, four points) because regular keeper Pedro Gallese is on international duty for his native Peru, had his third career clean sheet while making just one save against the anemic Austin attack.
Orlando posted its first victory of the season, snapped a three-match losing streak and defeated the Verde for the first time in a pair of all-time meetings between the sides. The Lions outshot the visitors 23-3 as winless Austin (0-2-3, three points) didn’t post a shot on goal until the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time on what was the final touch of the match.
Neither team had managed a shot on target until Lynn waited unmarked at the far post in the 42nd minute for a pass from Dagur Thorhallsson, making short work of the chance by heading his shot down and over the goal line before Austin goalkeeper Brad Stuver could react to stop it.
Orlando almost immediately produced another goal, as Martin Ojeda tested Stuver in the 44th minute, but the Verde’s keeper was able to swallow the shot up.
The Lions continued to press for an additional goal and nearly had one when Stuver stopped Ivan Angulo’s right-footed shot and then Lynn’s header, both in the 59th minute.
Lodeiro finally got the job done, scoring on a free kick from just outside the box in the 64th minute after a foul by Austin’s Jhojan Valencia to expand the Orlando lead to 2-0.
Rafael Santos had a scoring chance in the 70th minute with a left-footed shot from outside the box that was saved by Stuver. Lodeiro also had another opportunity in the 84th minute that was stopped.
Stuver, who leads MLS in saves with 28, recorded six stops on Saturday to keep the Verde within shouting distance.
–Field Level Media