Martin Ojeda's 90th-Minute Header Sends Orlando Past Union in Rain-Soaked Thriller

Martin Ojeda just authored the kind of finish that makes you jump off the couch. The Orlando City midfielder buried a header in the 90th minute to cap off a two-goal performance and deliver a dramatic 4-3 victory over the Philadelphia Union on a rainy Wednesday night in Florida. That ninth goal of the campaign came off an Adrian Marin service to the box, and Union goalie Andrew Rick had absolutely no answer.

Ojeda's Late Heroics Keep Orlando's Momentum Rolling

This is Orlando's third win in their last five matches, and they needed every bit of it. The Lions started strong, with Ojeda opening the scoring in the 19th minute from the penalty spot after Rick drew a yellow card for tripping him on a breakaway. Ojeda hesitated just enough to get Rick to splay right, then buried it for an easy finish.

Orlando pushed the lead to 2-0 before halftime when Griffin Dorsey struck in the 27th minute. Tiago recovered the ball after a Union turnover in their own end and fed Dorsey for an open strike, his first of the season. At that point, Orlando (4-8-1, 13 points) looked in control.

Philadelphia's Comeback Falls Just Short

The Union (1-9-3, 6 points) were dead and buried down 3-1, but they refused to stay down. Milan Iloski got them started in the 54th minute with his third goal of the year. Teen phenom Cavan Sullivan, just 16 years old, scored his first MLS goal to make it 3-2 three minutes after Duncan McGuire's right-footed strike extended the lead to 3-1 in the 72nd. Sullivan then found Ben Bender on a corner, and Bender, playing left back for the first time in his career according to the broadcast, came up unmarked trailing the Union attack and tucked a low shot far post past Maxime Crepeau to tie it at 3-3.

But Ojeda had the final word. Eleven minutes after Philadelphia equalized, he rose highest on Marin's cross and sent a header past Rick that Rick simply couldn't reach. Crepeau made four saves in the win. Rick, in his first start of the season filling in for an injured Andre Blake, made two saves but couldn't keep the Union afloat.

What's Next

Orlando moves into the middle of the Eastern Conference pack with this momentum. Philadelphia, meanwhile, remains deep in the cellar looking for answers.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.