Orlando player Joao Moutinho (right) kicks beside Portland player Marvin Loria (left) during the MLS is Back Tournament championship game of Orlando City vs. Portland Timbers at Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports on Tuesday, August 11, 2020. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel) (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando City surpassed odds and expectations to carve out a place for itself in the final match of MLS is Back Tournament, but that gutsy energy fell a step short Tuesday night.
The match was cagey, defined by a rough and nervous edge from the opening whistle. The teams finished with a combined seven yellow cards, racking up fouls and crunching tackles as they jockeyed for the trophy.