(Photo by Mark Thor / Orlando City SC)

Match Recap

ORLANDO, Fla. – It wasn’t the result Orlando City SC wanted. Needing three points, City only managed one, as they drew 1-1 with Columbus Crew SC at Orlando City Stadium Saturday night.

“From my point of view, it’s a result that we didn’t want, of course,” City head coach Jason Kreis said after the match. “We wanted three points in the worst possible way. But the performance, I thought, was very good. There was a 10- or 15-minute spell in the first half where I thought we dropped a little bit with our level, but the other 75 minutes, I thought, we were very good. All on top of them. And, frankly, I think we deserved to win this game.”

City (8-10-7, 31 points) had an opportunity at a game-winner after Harrison Afful’s elbow to midfielder Yoshimar Yotún’s face in the 77th minute. Just 10 minutes earlier, midfielder Giles Barnes gave the Lions life with his second goal of the season.

Midfielder Cristian Higuita found space near the top-right part of Columbus’ (11-12-3, 36 points) box and megged defender Lalas Abubakar with his leading pass to Barnes. The Jamaican then tracked the ball near the right end-line before shooting it past Zack Steffen to the far post, ricocheting the ball off both posts and into the net for City’s equalizer.

“Yeah, you know, my main aim, especially when I’m playing from deep in midfield, is to, you know, be that third-man runner into the box,” Barnes said after the match. “Cristian’s vision, Cristian’s ability on the ball—I knew where he was going to put it, so then it was up to me. Could I make a play from there?

“You know, when it hit the post, I wasn’t too sure which side it was going to go. That’s why I watched it for a while, but, you know, thankfully it went the other side.”

Said Kreis on Higuita being more offensive: “Higuita’s an extremely versatile midfielder. I think he’s arguably one of the highest potential players that we have in this group. I’m really a big fan of his. And so, sometimes, there’s a little bit of confusion or communication problem about exactly what his role is and what we want, but, tonight, I thought he came in and did an excellent job at the 8 position. I think that was right around the 10- or 15-minute span when we were really struggling, but then I thought he was excellent.”

Columbus scored their goal in the 35th minute. After the Crew drew a foul near the right sideline, the ensuing free kick into the box found a streaking Abubakar for the header to the near post past a rooted Joe Bendik. Abubakar scored his first goal off an assist by Waylon Francis.

That was it for Columbus, though. After taking four shots (two on goal) in the first half, Columbus recorded none in the second. The Crew’s lone, second-half corner came in the waning of the minutes game, too. In the second half, Columbus maintained just 35.9 percent of possession.

Man of the Match: Giles Barnes

Barnes tallied his first start since a 1-0 loss to Atlanta United FC on July 21. In three games since then, he substituted on for 43 minutes and took just one shot. In Saturday’s draw with Columbus, Barnes scored his second goal in purple, took five shots (two on goal), completed 85.2 percent of his 27 passes, recorded two tackles and drew three fouls.

What’s next?

City host former Lion Brek Shea and the Vancouver Whitecaps on Aug. 26 at 7:30 p.m.

Dom Dwyer Makes Orlando City Stadium Debut

City forward and late-season addition Dom Dwyer made his first appearance in Orlando City Stadium since returning to Orlando via a trade with Sporting Kansas City. After entering the game in the 63rd minute, Dwyer managed three shots (two on target) and completed all of his four passes.

“Yeah, [the ovation] was amazing. I mean, obviously, it was a very special night,” Dwyer said after the match. “Just disappointed not to get three points. But, you know, it was a great feeling coming on.”

Dwyer hasn’t had the smoothest transition to Orlando. A week before the draw against Columbus, Dwyer underwent nose surgery and had a mask fitted to his face. It limited his time in training, but the end result also wasn’t ideal.

“[The mask] wasn’t the best,” Dwyer said. “Honestly, it was—I mean, it is what it is, right? It’s there for protection. I’m trying to talk to the docs next week and see if maybe not have it, or we’ll make a little adjustments.”

Highlights

Got a familiar face in The Wall tonight! #VamosOrlando Hey @KAKA! pic.twitter.com/mAGP0RaO4k — Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) August 19, 2017

2′ | Yoshi trying to pop things off early! A little shake and a shot. 0-0 | #ORLvCLB pic.twitter.com/zoKR2jq6gp — Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) August 19, 2017

5′ | Yoshi drops in a dime to Wild Man Will who has a go. Steffen shaky on the save. 0-0 | #ORLvCLB pic.twitter.com/IbkW2N52nU — Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) August 19, 2017

The Captain is just eating up this aggressive start. 👏 #VamosOrlando pic.twitter.com/DR84dYnSUn — Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) August 19, 2017

10′ | Giles with a little flick on almost finds Cyle… 👍 0-0 | #ORLvCLB pic.twitter.com/0LwNdNFGfG — Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) August 19, 2017

17′ | Carlos rips it. Steffen spills the shot… Giles unlucky. 0-0 | #ORLvCLB pic.twitter.com/VQaonTweZX — Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) August 19, 2017

67′ | GOAL!!! Giles finishes a sweet feed from Higuita… 😲 1-1 | #ORLvCLB pic.twitter.com/hrJaVzjULK — Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) August 20, 2017

NDR Notes

Barnes made his first start in four games. He also scored his second Orlando City goal.

Dwyer made his debut in Orlando City Stadium in the draw with Columbus.

With nine games to play, City is five points from the final playoff spot after the draw with Columbus.

Perennial team captain Ricardo Kaká and full-back Victor “PC” Giro joined fans on the Wall during the first half.

Scoring

Time Team Goal-scorer Assisted by 35’ Columbus Crew SC Lalas Abubakar Waylon Francis 67’ Orlando City SC Giles Barnes Cristian Higuita

Statistics and Starting Lineups

Goals Assists Shots Shots on Goal Possession % Orlando Ciy SC 1 1 19 7 55.2% Columbus Crew SC 1 1 4 2 44.8%

Orlando City SC starting XI (4-3-1-2): Joe Bendik (GK); Donny Toia, Léo Pereira, Tommy Redding, Scott Sutter; Yoshimar Yotún, Antonio Nocerino, Will Johnson (C); Giles Barnes; Carlos Rivas, Cyle Larin

Columbus Crew SC starting XI (3-4-2-1): Zack Steffen (GK); Lalas Abubakar, Josh Williams, Jonathan Mensah; Waylon Francis, Mohammed Abu, Will Trapp (C), Harrison Afful; Justin Meram, Cristian Martínez; Ola Kamara

For more on City, as they look to defy the odds and make the playoffs, follow Victor Tan on Twitter at @NDR_VictorTan.