Soccer doesn’t have walk-offs like baseball or other American sports, but Orlando City came about as close as possible against NYCFC on Sunday night. Tesho Akindele’s goal in the 96th minute gave Orlando City a 2-1 win and some much-needed breathing space as the season begins to reach its crescendo.
STOPPAGE TIME WINNER AT THE DEATH FOR @OrlandoCitySC! pic.twitter.com/Wywhm5p8hw
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) August 29, 2022
Be sure to tune in @Tesho13 | #DaleMiAmor pic.twitter.com/Pkf8wgMAYP
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) August 29, 2022
As desperation started to become Orlando’s only hope, tied 1-1 after Júnior Urso’s early goal was canceled out by Maxi Moralez just before the hour mark, Akindele secured his spot as the man of the hour. He rose like a salmon, beat his defender to the ball and delicately glanced the cross into the ground, toward the far post and past a stunned Sean Johnson.
14 - Tesho Akindele's 96th minute winner for @OrlandoCitySC was the 14th result-changing goal scored in the 95th minute or later in @MLS this season. Late. https://t.co/Skio4zAt55
— OptaJack⚽️ (@OptaJack) August 29, 2022
This is becoming somewhat of a habit for the 30-year-old Canadian. He was at it last week too, scoring in the 89th minute against Charlotte to win 2-1 as well. Keep it up and he might just secure his seat on the plane to Qatar this winter.
Fun fact: Tesho Akindele scored his 20th goal across all competitions in an #OrlandoCity uniform tonight. He has passed former Lion Daryl Dike for 6th all-time in club history. #ORLvNYC
— Austin David (@AustinDavid22) August 29, 2022
For the City pic.twitter.com/5soZt9iS0X
— Tesho Akindele (@Tesho13) August 29, 2022
His 20th goal for the club moves Akindele up to sixth on Orlando City’s all-time scorers, above Daryl Dike. More importantly, it kept Orlando City in a good spot for the playoffs as it currently sits just four points ahead of eighth-place Cincinnati.
A date with Seattle awaits the Lions on Wednesday, and the following week the club has a chance to win its first silverware in club history when it takes on Sacramento Republic FC in the U.S. Open Cup.
