TORONTO – Orlando City SC overcame an early deficit to beat Toronto FC 2-1 in MLS play on Wednesday, handing John Herdman's struggling team a fifth straight loss.

Derrick Etienne Jr. scored for Toronto, which led after five minutes but went into halftime trailing 2-1. Martin Ojeda scored for Orlando, which also benefited from an own goal by Toronto defender Nicksoen Gomis.

With the win, Orlando (6-9-6) moved level on points with Toronto (7-12-3), but has one game less.

It was not an entertaining game, but it did have a few minor hiccups, especially in the second half with seven yellow cards.

Toronto is now winless in eight games (0-6-2) and has lost five of its last six league games at home. TFC, which has been outscored 13-4 during the losing streak, managed just one shot on goal on Wednesday.

Orlando has had its own problems, suffering a 4-2 loss at New York City FC and winning just one of its last seven games (1-4-2).

Despite a series of early turnovers, Toronto took the lead in the fifth minute through Etienne. Federico Bernardeschi, who was named to the MLS All-Star game earlier in the week, found fellow fullback Raoul Petretta at the back post with a long ball. Petretta headed the ball back in front of goal and Etienne, who had the Orlando defense in disarray, hammered it home from close range for his second goal in Toronto colours.

Orlando, with Ojeda pulling the strings, came into the game better and equalised in the 27th minute. Facundo Torres played the ball to Colombian Ivan Angulo, who beat Bernardeschi and sent a beautiful cross that the unmarked Ojeda, a proven player from Argentina, headed in for his second goal of the season.

Lorenzo Insigne, who barely touched the ball, finally got his chance in the 39th minute when he fired a long-range shot just wide of the Orlando goalpost, but the Italian star was a spectator for much of the half.

Orlando kept trying and took the lead in the 45th minute when Torres' cross deflected off Gomis' leg and flew past goalkeeper Sean Johnson. Orlando needed just two passes to cover Toronto's half of the pitch, with seven defenders in the Toronto penalty area when the goal was scored.

Torres could have made it 3-1 early in the second half when Toronto's defence was breached, but the Uruguayan striker was unable to convert. Toronto, meanwhile, had a chance in the 53rd minute, but Prince Owusu could not reach the ball with his foot.

Ojeda was substituted in the 69th minute and didn't seem happy about it. Toronto midfielder Deybi Flores was cautioned two minutes later and suspended for his number of yellow cards.

Kosi Thompson had a chance to equalise in injury time, but his shot hit the crossbar. Luis Muriel shot wide at the other end.

Both teams were able to bring back their regular goalkeepers from their international duty at the Copa America – Johnson for the USA and Pedro Gallese and midfielder Wilder Cartagena from Peru.

Johnson sent fans' hearts racing in the 12th minute when he misplayed the ball, which nearly rolled into the Toronto net. But the veteran goalie calmly retrieved it, dribbled past an Orlando attacker and then sent the ball down the field.

Toronto captain/midfielder Jonathan Osorio and fullback/wingback Richie Laryea remain at the Copa America as Canada advances to the knockout rounds.

Herdman made three changes to the starting lineup that lost 2-1 in Atlanta over the weekend thanks to an unconventional goal in the 97th minute: Johnson, Thompson and Aime Mabika started, while TFC II midfielders Markus Cimermancic and Nathaniel Edwards, who signed short-term deals to fill out the team, were on the bench.

TFC's injury list includes fullback Tyrese Spicer and midfielders Alonso Coello and Brandon Servania. Center back Kevin Long has been suspended for multiple yellow cards.

Orlando is now undefeated in its last five away games at BMO Field (3-0-2), last losing there in May 2018. And Orlando has a 7-1-1 record against TFC since the start of 2021.

But Toronto won 2-1 when the teams met in Orlando on April 27, with late goals from Spicer (87th minute) and Owusu (90th minute) completing the comeback.

Toronto visits reigning champions Columbus on Saturday, while Orlando hosts DC United.

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 3, 2024.

Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press