Orlando City stuns Columbus with late penalty kick

[October 22, 2018]  Sacha Kljestan scored on a penalty kick six minutes into second-half stoppage time, and Orlando City stunned visiting Columbus 2-1 for its first victory in 14 games on Sunday, damaging the Crew's chances to make the playoffs.

The Crew (13-11-9, 48 points) could have clinched a berth in the Eastern Conference with a draw, but instead dropped to the sixth and final spot. They are two points behind fifth-place D.C. United and two points ahead of seventh-place Montreal with one match left.

Columbus hosts Minnesota United on Oct. 28, the same day that Montreal plays at the New England Revolution. The Crew would make the postseason with a win, but if they tie or lose, the Impact would claim the East's final playoff berth with a win.

Orlando (8-21-4, 28 points) had 10 losses and three ties in its previous 13 matches, but it got the winner after Chris Mueller was fouled in the box by Crew captain Wil Trapp.

Kljestan then converted Orlando's second PK of the match held at Orlando City Stadium.

Federico Higuain gave Columbus a 1-0 lead in the 54th minute with free kick from 28 yards that beat goalkeeper Adam Grinwis to the near post. His sixth goal of the season put the Crew in position to clinch, but two minutes, later Orlando was awarded a penalty kick when the ball hit Crew defender Gaston Sauro in the arm.

Yoshi Yuton tied it 1-1 in the 57th with a chip shot from the spot for his fourth goal, his third from the spot.

Orlando finishes the season on the road against the New York Red Bulls on Oct. 28.

--Field Level Media

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