Lee Nguyen’s penalty kick goal saved the Revolution on Sunday. Photo/Kari Heistad
Bad officiating and late-match drama again took hold of the New England Revolution, who needed a last-gasp penalty kick goal by Lee Nguyen to tie Orlando City FC 2-2 at the Citrus Bowl on Sunday afternoon.
Nguyen’s goal, which was his first of the season, provided a remarkable and eyebrow-raising coda to what had been a wide open affair in central Florida.
But with the score tied at 1-1 heading into second half stoppage time, referee Baldomero Toledo entered into the spotlight.
Toledo first failed to spot Kevin Molino handling the ball as he scored Orlando’s go-ahead goal two minutes into added time, and, less than 60 seconds later, Toledo awarded the Revolution a penalty kick under controversial circumstances.
Lee Nguyen sent a cross into the box that got deflected by Servando Carrasco’s shoulder, Toledo awarding a freekick for handball. Moments later – and with both Orlando and the Revolution protesting – Toledo switched his decision and pointed to the penalty spot after appearing to consult with the fourth official via his ear piece.
Nguyen buried the ensuing penalty kick to make it 2-2 and cap a wild affair. With the benefit of replays, the poor calls seemed to even out.
But players from both teams clashed with officials after the game. And Revolution coach Jay Heaps and Orlando coach Adrian Heath had to separated at midfield following the final whistle.
In truth, the game was high-octane and strange from the start.
Seconds into the game, Orlando’s Brek Shea played the ball forward for Julio Bapitsta, who was clipped from behind in the box by Je-Vaughn Watson, who started in central defense in place of Jose Goncalves (knee).
Kaka buried the ensuing spot kick as Revolution keeper Bobby Shuttleworth was caught going the wrong way.
The Revolution responded well thereafter, controlling much of the play. They entered halftime with an 11-2 edge in shots and a 5-1 edge in corners.
Teal Bunbury recorded his first goal of the season in the 37th minute, off a play that started as a corner kick.
Nguyen played the ball wide for Scott Caldwell, who played the one-two, possession eventually falling on the edge of the area for Chris Tierney. Tierney crossed for Gershon Koffie, whose header in the box fell to Bunbury to pummel into the back of the net to make it 1-1.
The Revolution struggled to be clinical in front of goal, which allowed Orlando the chance to come back into the game.
Heath made two critical substitutions in the 61st minute, bringing on Molino and Cyle Larin for Adrian Winter and Carlos Rivas, respectively.
Both players had an immediate impact and helped the hosts find their footing and take over on offense.
In the 67th minute, Larin made an effort to redirected a cross by Kaka into a wide open goal, but was thwarted at the last second by a block from Watson.
Kaka then fired a low drive at the near post (72nd) that Shuttleworth dropped low to knock away for a corner kick.
Antonio Nocerino, who was struggled in midfield and gave the ball away numerous times, nearly became the hero when he fired a bullet from distance (88th) that was deflected over the bar.
Molino then forced Shuttleworth to palm his effort over the bar (89th) while former Revolution defender Kevin Alston, who joined Orlando in the off-season, blasted a shot over the bar as well.
Molino scored under controversial circumstances by controlling the remnants of an Alston throw with his hand, but that play – which appeared to lead to Orlando’s game-winner – wasn’t the end of the story.
Toledo – who has awarded more penalty kicks in MLS history – gave the Revolution one more chance with what seems now to be a make-up call.
The Revolution are now 1-1-5 thanks to Toledo and Nguyen’s penalty kick taking ability. That said, it’s clear no one is happy about it.
