COMMERCE CITY, Colo. — In a tightly contested match, Orlando City emerged victorious over the Colorado Rapids with a narrow 1-0 scoreline on Saturday night, marking the Rapids’ third consecutive defeat. The win was bolstered by a goal from Martín Ojeda and a resilient defensive performance led by goalkeeper Pedro Gallese, who secured his eighth shutout of the season.
Orlando City, currently holding an 8-4-6 record, had recently experienced back-to-back losses following an impressive 12-game unbeaten run. However, they managed to reclaim their form largely thanks to Ojeda’s decisive strike. The breakthrough came in the 24th minute, when a swift counter-attack saw Marco Pasalic deliver a precise low cross into the penalty area. Ojeda met the pass with a composed rolling shot that slipped past the outstretched arm of Colorado’s diving goalkeeper, Nico Hansen, nestling into the back of the net.
Despite the result, the Rapids demonstrated resilience throughout the match, outshooting the visitors 14-7 in a bid to equalize. Nonetheless, Gallese stood firm between the posts, recording two vital saves to preserve Orlando’s slim advantage.
Colorado goalkeeper Nico Hansen also registered two saves during the encounter. Historically, Orlando City has had the upper hand in their matchups against the Rapids, with a favorable head-to-head record of 6-1-2.
This encounter added another chapter to the ongoing rivalry, showcasing Orlando City’s tactical discipline and opportunism, while the Rapids will seek to overcome this downturn in form in their upcoming matches.