ORLANDO, Fla. — In a thrilling encounter at the Exploria Stadium, Orlando City’s Martín Ojeda showcased his prowess by netting three times, surpassing the milestone of 50 career goals. Meanwhile, New England’s Carles Gil ensured a share of the points by converting a late penalty, resulting in a 3-3 draw. The teams were locked at 2-2 going into the halfway interval, with subsequent penalty kicks from Ojeda and Gil dictating the second-half narrative.
The match began with a flourish from Orlando, as Martín Ojeda found the back of the net with an impressive left-footed strike from the left side, nestling the ball in the top left corner. César Araújo provided the assist for what marked Ojeda’s 49th career goal in professional football. Merely nine minutes later, Ojeda doubled Orlando’s advantage with his 50th career goal, highlighting an extraordinary personal achievement.
However, New England responded before the break through Alhassan Yusuf, who ended Orlando goalkeeper Pedro Gallese’s club-record 526-minute shutout streak. Yusuf skillfully placed a right-footed shot into the lower right corner from the center of the box in the 38th minute. Just six minutes later, Matt Polster equalized with a deft header that leveled the score at 2-2.
The deadlock was broken in the 55th minute when Ojeda converted from the penalty spot, registering his seventh goal of the MLS season and the 51st in his career. New England, known for its defensive solidity, answered back late in the game. Carles Gil’s 85th-minute penalty ensured that the Revolution extended their remarkable form, having notched four consecutive shutout victories in the league prior to this match.
New England, buoyed by a strong recent run, arrived in Orlando having won five out of their last six MLS outings. The Revolution’s latest record now stands at five wins, four draws, and two losses, amassing 17 points to their tally. Orlando City, on the other hand, continues to enjoy a spell of good form, extending their unbeaten streak to eight matches in the MLS. They remain resolute defensively, having experienced just one defeat in their last nine fixtures, accumulating 18 points.