Ercan Kara scores twice to lead Orlando City past Houston Dynamo
Designated player Ercan Kara scored twice to lead Orlando City to a 2-1 victory over the Houston Dynamo on Saturday night at Exploria Stadium.
The Austrian forward has scored three goals in Orlando’s last three games.
Kara opened the scoring in the 25th minute when Mauricio Pereyra dished the ball to Facundo Torres, who was making a run inside the box and then sent the ball toward Kara to finish the play for the 1-0 lead.
In the 58th minute, the Lions (7-4-5, 25 points) doubled their edge when a cross from Joao Moutinho bounced off Jake Mulraney toward Pereyra, whose strike deflected off Kara for his second of the night.
In the 59th minute, the Dynamo (5-3-7, 18 points) scored when Sebastian Ferreira headed a ball past keeper Pedro Gallese.
Argentine centerback Rodrigo Schlegel missed Saturday’s game against Houston to serve a one-game suspension for yellow-card accumulation.
In the 15th minute, Robin Jansson was booked for dissent, which also means the Swedish centerback will miss Friday’s game at FC Cincinnati to serve a one-game suspension for yellow-card accumulation.
Gallese finished with four saves, including crucial stops in the 72nd, 76th and 90th minutes to protect the lead.
The Lions almost had a chance to score just before halftime when referee Rosendo Mendoza called a penalty for an apparent handball inside the box on Zeca.
But after consulting with the video assistant referee, the call was reversed to a free kick on which Kara’s boot was blocked by the keeper and cleared for a corner.
Exploria Stadium featured a new field that had been installed on Wednesday after a 2½-day process.
Saturday’s result marked Orlando City’s first regular-season home win since April 30 when the Lions beat Charlotte FC 2-1.
Up next, Orlando City travels to take on FC Cincinnati on Friday at TQL Stadium at 7:30 p.m.
