Written by Zach Bartkus
ORLANDO, FLA. – In an early-season Eastern Conference MLS matchup between Orlando City SC and DC United we would see two old teammates from Manchester United, and now popular legends of the game meet again. Luis Nani of Orlando City SC and Wayne Rooney of DC United battled it out for 90 minutes at Orlando City Stadium on Sunday Night. The two shared a hug in the tunnel pregame but on the field was a different story.
In the first few minutes of the game, Orlando City was skimpy with the ball but managed to hold most of the possession, but one lousy giveaway flipped the game upside-down for the Lions. As DC started their attack on the Orlando turnover, a ball was attempted to be played into the box, but not before it hit newly acquired Robin Jansson’s hand outside the box. Rooney sent the free kick into the box and DC center back Steve Birnbaum won the header and put the ball into the back of the net and DC up by a goal six minutes into the match. Not but two minutes later Orlando had their chance to equalize, but Nani sent his header just over the bar and out for a goal kick.
The second part of the first half is where things in this game got controversial and interesting. A foul was called on Orlando’s Dom Dwyer who put a challenge in on Rooney but did not touch him. Multiple replays showed this, but despite that, Referee Armando Villareal kept his call. The free kick was then put in by Rooney from the left side of the 18-yard box as he curled the ball to the back post and in. After the goal was given, Villareal went to his earpiece to listen to what the officials had to say. There was also a potential foul on Orlando goalkeeper Bryan Rowe that was also not given.
Villareal did not use the Virtual Assistant Referee (VAR) in this situation at all. “What’s the point of having VAR.”, said Orlando City head coach James O’ Conner, ”It’s unbelievable, to be honest, I thought VAR would help the refs.” is what Orlando City striker Dom Dwyer said postgame. This situation is all too familiar for Orlando City staff, players and fans alike. “The league has to do something.”, Dwyer said. After everything that happened in that sequence, and Villareal talked to the VAR officials, DC still ended up with a goal and Orlando were down 2-0.
In the second half Orlando came out with what seemed to be a fire lit beneath them. That would show as possession was held on DC’s side of the field through the first 10 minutes of the second half. The hard work that the Lions put in would end up paying off as Dom Dwyer would score in the 63rd minute and bring the Lions within one goal. That would end up being the only goal of the game for Orlando. They would have more chances in the latter stages of the game, but couldn’t put the ball in the back of the net.
DC United came up with three big points as they move into first in the East with 10 points and Orlando City fall to seventh with five points. Orlando will play Colorado this Saturday at 7:30 PM ET at Orlando City Stadium and DC United hosts LAFC Saturday at 3 PM ET.
