Penalty madness in the MLS!
In the top US league, Orlando City and New York City FC met for a playoff duel.
After it had been 1-1 after regular playing time and extra time remained goalless, the penalty shoot-out had to decide. And here it got turbulent.
Orlando cheers too soon
Maximiliano Moralez immediately missed the first attempt for New York. The next seven shooters – four for Orlando, three for New York – all converted.
So it was up to New York’s Valentín Castellanos to prevent the end, at least for the time being. But Pedro Gallese parried the shot, the Orlando goalkeeper then celebrated the supposed victory with his teammates.
But after confirmation of the VAR it was clear: Happy too early! Because Gallese had moved from the goal line before Castellanos shot.
Goalkeeper flies off the field – defender has to go into goal
Worse still: Gallese received a yellow card – and since it was his second, the goalkeeper was thrown off the field.
Orlando then wanted to replace substitute keeper Brian Rowe. He was getting ready for the next shot – but that was not allowed. Because according to the regulations, the goalkeeper may only be replaced during the penalty shoot-out if there is an injury.
So the hosts had to think of an alternative: Defender Rodrigo Schlegel, who only came on in extra time, went between the posts.
Portugal-Star Nani differs
In the second attempt against Schlegel, Castellanos then converted.
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Thanks to Moralez’s initial miss, ex-Manchester United star Nani, who scored from the point in regular time, had the opportunity to really get Orlando into the next round.
But it happened as it had to: Nani missed, so that the penalty shoot-out turned into sudden death.
Temporary goalkeeper parries penalty – Orlando cheers again too early
The sixth shooters scored before the penalty madness reached its final climax. Because temporary keeper Schlegel fended off the attempt by Gudmundur Thórarinsson.
But the chaos was not over yet. Orlando was already cheering, but hadn’t won yet.
Because first the own seventh shooter, Benji Michel, still had to score. Fortunately for Orlando, he did that – now there was real cheering.
According to Opta, there were 21 minutes and 35 seconds between the first and last penalty kick.
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