Orlando City SC turn 13 shots into a 3-0 win over Toronto FC

Orlando strike late to complete a 3-0 win

Orlando City SC defeated Toronto FC 3-0 at Exploria Stadium on Saturday, September 12, moving to sixth in the Eastern Conference with 31 points from 24 matches. Toronto remained 10th with 29 points. Orlando led 1-0 at half-time and secured the result with two goals in the final eight minutes.

Griezmann breaks the deadlock

The opening half was settled in the 45th minute, when Antoine Griezmann scored for Orlando City SC. Zakaria Taifi supplied the assist, giving Orlando a lead just before the interval. The goal was the clearest reward for Orlando’s greater control of possession, although Toronto created more attempts overall during the match.

Both teams began with a 4-2-3-1 formation. Orlando made a half-time change, replacing Joran Gerbet with Wilder Cartagena, while Toronto introduced Alonso for Theo Corbeanu. The changes did not alter the score immediately, but Orlando continued to protect its advantage.

Orlando finishes the contest

The decisive second goal arrived in the 82nd minute. Harvey Graham Sarajian scored after a pass from Daryl Dike, extending Orlando’s lead after Dike had entered for Martin Ojeda in the 65th minute. Iván Angulo completed the scoring in the 90th minute, with Justin Ellis providing the assist.

Toronto also made second-half substitutions, sending on Malik Henry for Derrick Etienne Jr. and Nickseon Gomis for Matheus Pereira de Souza in the 65th minute. The visitors could not turn their attacking volume into goals, and Orlando’s late finishing settled the match.

Toronto had more shots but fewer on target

The statistics show a contrast between territory and efficiency. Toronto recorded 18 total shots to Orlando’s 13 and had 15 attempts from inside the box, compared with six for Orlando. However, Orlando produced eight shots on goal to Toronto’s four and held 58% possession. Orlando also completed 450 accurate passes from 523 total, while Toronto completed 320 accurate passes from 363.

Toronto goalkeeper L. Gavran made five saves, while Orlando’s goalkeeper made four. Toronto’s nine shots off target also underlined the gap between creating attempts and testing the goalkeeper. Orlando committed 13 fouls to Toronto’s eight and collected three yellow cards to Toronto’s two, with Luis Otávio Costa de Aquino, Joran Gerbet and Iago Teodoro booked for the hosts. Derrick Etienne Jr. and Alonso were cautioned for Toronto. Neither team received a red card.

Griezmann leads the ratings

Griezmann was Orlando’s standout performer, earning a 7.8 rating in 70 minutes. He scored once and registered two shots on target. Taifi also rated highly at 7.6 after completing 90 minutes with an assist and two key passes, while Sarajian made an immediate impact with his goal in 10 minutes.

The victory ended Orlando’s most recent loss in the supplied form sequence and lifted the club above Toronto in the conference standings. Toronto’s position stayed at 10th after its 3-0 defeat.