Tranquillo Barnetta’s late goal lifts Union past Orlando City
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Tranquillo Barnetta's free kick in the 90th minute kissed off the crossbar and settled into the net and Philadelphia handed Orlando City its first loss of the season, 2-1 on Friday night.
Centered just outside the box, Barnetta's right foot strike barely squeezed into the top right corner of the Union goal. It was his first goal of the season. The play was set up when Darwin Ceren fouled C.J. Sapong.
Keeper Andre Blake saved the win that vaulted the Union (3-2-0) over Orlando (2-1-2) in the Eastern Conference with a point-blank blast from Adrian Winter in the first minute of stoppage time.
Sapong tapped in an Orlando defensive mistake in the second minute for his third goal, putting the Union up 1-0. Orlando also cashed in on a shaky defensive effort in the closing minutes of the first half as Winter used his left foot to roll the ball back to the right corner in the 43rd minute. Kevin Molino had the cross as Winter eluded the defender.
Philadelphia received a scare about 20 minutes into the second half when Blake was taken out by his own defender Ken Tribett.
U.S. women's team star Carli Lloyd was the honorary captain and received a standing ovation prior to the game.
