Lions settle for another draw after late goal by NYC

An early goal was not enough to earn a win for Orlando City as the Lions tied 1-1 in an MLS home game with NYCFC on Wednesday, leaving Orlando winless in its last four games in all competitions.

Orlando (4-4-4, 16 points) got the momentum rolling early with a seventh-minute headed goal by forward Ercan Kara off a cross from fellow forward Gaston Gonzalez. It was Kara’s third goal in his last four games.

Despite scoring early, Orlando was unable to make the most of any other scoring chances.

Goals have been hard to come by for the Lions and that trend still has not changed. The standings are tight, but they’ll need to increase their scoring output to become a serious challenger for the MLS Cup Playoffs.

“What we need to do is perform better and better to try to find our ways,” Orlando coach Oscar Pareja said. “The desire that we have, the energy and the willingness to do it — that’s there. It’s intact. You got to be combined with results.”

NYCFC (4-5-4, 16 points) threatened to score with several great chances, but Orlando goalkeeper Pedro Gallese came up big. His save in the 75th minute was the most important of the game, but he was unable to keep NYCFC forward Gabriel Segal’s shot in the 89th minute out of the back of the net.

The match felt like a true battle between rivals from the start, with both teams refusing to hold back physically. There were 25 combined fouls committed by the two sides, with Orlando midfielder Wilder Cartagena setting Orlando’s single-game record for the most fouls in a game with 7.

Two consecutive draws for Orlando leaves it regrouping for a trip down the turnpike to take on in-state rival Inter Miami on Saturday with a win vital to improve its position in the standings.