The 8-match unbeaten run comes to an end at home.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Despite playing on the front foot and owning 67% of possession, Rochester dropped Friday night’s contest 1-0 to Orlando City B, ending their 8-match unbeaten streak.
Most Rhinos matches have been mainly slow to start at home this season, but they nearly capitalized in the first 10 minutes. A fantastic cross from the left wing landed on the head of Sofiane Tergou, but was just out of his reach. A few minutes later, some great play led to another chance, as Stefan Defregger put a ball just past the outstretched leg of Darius Madison, who was through on goal.
The Lions struck for the lone goal of the game in the 18th minute, completely against the run of play. Pierre Da Silva drew a foul right on the corner of the box. The ensuing free kick was blocked, but Da Silva recovered the ball, beat his defender and whipped a ball into Timbo, who slotted it home for his first goal of the season. That was Da Silva’s team-leading 6th assist of the season.
Joe Farrell nearly headed home the equalizer in the 35th minute direct from a Kenardo Forbes corner, but the effort sailed just over the crossbar.
Orlando City nearly doubled its lead in the 43rd minute when some shaky defense led to a Joe Gallardo shot from 8 yards that rattled the crossbar. A minute later, Gallardo laced another one from 20 yards out that ended up just a yard or two wide.
The Rhinos came out in the second half with a point to prove and continued to show their prowess from set pieces in the 53rd minute. Another Forbes corner found its way to Wal Fall, who put a header on goal into the arms of Earl Edwards Jr.
Two minutes later, Defregger found Fall at the top of the box, who put a great ball wide to Tergou who fired one across back to Defregger who had his shot from the penalty shot deflected and out for another corner.
In the 58th minute, Forbes received the ball and blasted the ball towards the frame, but it was blocked and the Rhinos would fail to do anything with the ensuing corner.
Forbes had a point-blank effort denied by Edwards Jr. in the 72nd minute when Jordan Dover slipped a gorgeous through ball into Tergou, who cut it back to Forbes who had his effort tipped over the bar.
Rochester had all the second half momentum, and Jochen Graf nearly played the role of hero. A scrum in the box led to the ball falling awkwardly to his foot on the six, and had his shot nicked just wide by the OCB defender.
The 86th minute would be the final chance for the Rhinos, as the Forbes to Fall connection nearly paid off direct from a set-piece on the left side. A driven free kick found Fall’s head and the ball sailed a yard away from goal.
“We weren’t diligent enough. I think because we controlled the match in the first 10 minutes, we took our foot off the gas,” Coach Bob Lilley said, “Once you fall behind in this league, you put guys behind the ball and make it hold up. We do it all the time, and unfortunately, we couldn’t pull one back.”
The Rhinos hit the road next week, traveling to Charlotte and St. Louis on July 1 and 5, respectively, before heading back home to face the Harrisburg City Islanders on July 8 in the inaugural Capelli Sport Hero Cup.