Tesho Akindele rebounded his own miss in the 89th minute to lift Orlando City to a 2-1 victory over host Charlotte FC on Sunday night.
Ercan Kara also had a goal for Orlando City (10-10-6, 36 points), who have won consecutive games following a five-match winless stretch (0-3-2).
McKinze Gaines scored his first goal of the season for Charlotte FC (10-15-2, 32 points), who lost for the fifth time in their past seven matches.
Orlando City’s decisive goal was set by Junior Urso, who sent a pass from midfield toward a streaking Akindele.
Akindele delivered a hard right-footed shot that Charlotte goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina knocked away. But the ball went directly back to Akindele, who booted a left-footed shot into the net for his first goal of the season.
Charlotte nearly tied it in the seventh and final minute of second-half stoppage time. Brandt Bronico unleashed a left-footed shot that narrowly went over the left corner of the net.
Pedro Gallese had two saves for Orlando, which moved into fifth place in the Eastern Conference with the victory.
Kahlina made five saves for Charlotte, which remains in 10th place.
Orlando City had a 13-9 edge in shots and placed seven on target to Charlotte’s three.
Orlando City played without forward Alexandre Pato, who injured his right knee against the New York Red Bulls on Aug. 13. The team said earlier Sunday that Pato will undergo surgery next month.
Orlando City broke the scoreless tie in the 62nd minute as Facundo Torres set up Kara with a quick pass through the line of defense. Kara was open and sent a right-footed shot past Kahlina for his eighth goal of the season.
Four minutes later, Charlotte knotted the score. Kamil Jozwiak delivered a centering pass toward Gaines, who knocked a header past Gallese.
Orlando had a chance to go ahead in the 70th minute when it had a free kick from outside the box. Mauricio Pereyra hammered a right-footer toward the net and Kahlina punched it away with his right hand.
Charlotte had the biggest chance of the first half. Kerwin Vargas delivered a hard right-footed shot that Gallese was able to stop in the 30th minute.
–Field Level Media
