Charlotte FC ignored late omen by Orlando City SC | OneFootball

Orlando City SC planned to earn three points in their match at Charlotte FC. They rallied near the end to earn a draw.

Orlando City SC headed to play Charlotte FC with a record of 5-2-3. Everyone expected a sixth win. But Charlotte had another plan that began by unleashing attacking midfielder Pep Biel. They planned to support his work by persistently pressing – a strategy unexpected for the team.

Their strategy established a commanding lead of 2-0 by the 65th minute. The scores included a goal by Biel, with a first MLS assist by Nicholas Scardina, second assist by Bill Tuiloma. Then Tuiloma scored with Biel’s assist.

It looked like still another fulfillment of a military maxim dating back to 1871. Helmuth von Moltke, Chief of the Prussian and German General Staffs, wrote that no plan of operations extends beyond the first encounter with the enemy forces. This idea is still taught by military forces today in the simpler form of no plan survives first contact with the enemy.

It applies to the mistake that Charlotte made by trying to park their bus after their goal in the 65th minute. They thought the Lions’ situation would be recognized as hopeless, falling behind by two goals. But they didn’t recognize that Orlando City had enacted a new strategy and almost had it working.

The Lions suffered in previous matches from not having enough personnel who could find space to create chances late in the game. This changed in the 62nd minute of this game.

That’s when Orlando forward Ramiro Enrique ran directly toward top MLS goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina, who was playing in front of his goal. Kahlina dove down, leaving an empty net for Enrique. Except he tripped over Kahlina. By the time he recovered, it gave Scardina an opportunity to race to the post and block the shot.

Charlotte foolishly ignored the omen.

Charlotte FC v Orlando City | Cory Knowlton/ISI Photos/GettyImages

Enrique came back again in the 69th minute and scored with assists by Martin Ojeda and Luis Muriel. Then Marco Pasalic surged in the 80th minute with an equalizer that stood. Assists went to Muriel and Ojeda.

Pasalic now leads the team with 11 goals, 10 in MLS competition. Muriel tallied his fourth and fifth assists of the season, while Ojeda made his ninth and 10th, which leads the team.

All Orlando City SC needs to do is keep Enrique from tripping when he finds an empty net. It will mean three points in the match.