Playing for the first time in two weeks after a FIFA international window and riding a three consecutive match shutout streak, United couldn't come up with a fourth, falling 2-1 to Orlando City SC on Sept. 9.
The brightest moment for the Black-and-Red came midway through the first half, when Patrick Mullins played a through ball to Paul Arriola down the right. The wide man beat his defender on the turn near the touchline and returned the favor to Mullins, whose first-time shot was parried over the bar by MLS save leader Joe Bendik.
After Orlando struck twice within nine minutes, United came out for the second half and created multiple chances. Arriola was again at the heart of the action, and his header from a Zoltán Stieber cross flashed just wide. Goalkeeper Bill Hamid, number two in the saves standings, came up big several times, including one effort from close range.
Stieber came close several minutes later, but his left-footed half volley only hit the side netting. In the 79th minute, Servando Carrasco of Orlando was handed his second yellow card of the match and the Lions were reduced to ten men.
Not long after, in the second-to-last minute in regulation, Kofi Opare scored his second goal of the season off a Marcelo Sarvas cross to bring United within one and spark a frenzy in stoppage time. Later in stoppage time, Seb Hines received a straight red card for pulling down Lloyd Sam, and the Black-and-Red threw everything at nine-men Orlando. The match ended shortly thereafter 2-1.
United now travel to the Windy City to take Bastian Schweinsteiger and the Chicago Fire on Saturday, Sept. 16. Coverage begins at 8 PM on CW Richmond, NewsChannel 8 and live on Facebook.
