Luis Muriel scored just eight minutes into the match to ignite a rare offensive outburst from Orlando City SC as they defeated visiting Charlotte FC 3-1 on Wednesday night to extend their unbeaten streak to 10 matches.
Martin Ojeda and Ramiro Enrique also scored for Orlando City (5-2-6, 21 points), which won for the second time in its last six matches.
Orlando City had scored in only two of its past seven matches but now has posted three goals in back-to-back matches. Cesar Araujo and David Brekalo had Orlando assists, the latter notching two.
Wilfried Zaha scored for Charlotte (6-6-1, 19 points), which has a four-match losing streak. It marked Zaha’s fourth goal of the year.
Muriel’s goal came from far outside the top of the box, with Charlotte goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina misplaying the ball as he dove to block the shot. The ball bounced across the line.
Ojeda’s goal came on a blast from just inside the box from a tough angle after Charlotte failed multiple times on clearing attempts. The marker in the 24th minute pushed the score to 2-0, giving Ojeda four goals in a two-match span.
Zaha’s goal cut the margin in half before halftime, but it was Charlotte’s only shot on net for the entire match. Enrique countered in the 82nd minute.
–Field Level Media
