Pedro Gallese earns 2nd straight shutout as Orlando City cruises

Updated: May 17, 2024, 04:57 am

Rodrigo Schlegel and Ercan Kara scored, and Pedro Gallese had his second straight shutout when visiting Orlando City SC defeating the slumping Columbus Crew 2-0 on Saturday.

Schlegel made it 1-0 in the 37th minute and Kara got a goal for a second straight game to double the lead in the 51st for Orlando (4-2-2, 14 points) as Gallese made three save for his fifth shutout of the season -- most in the league.

Columbus (2-3-2, 8 points) has lost three straight, all by shutouts, and is 0-3-1 in the past four games.

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Schlegel gave Orlando the lead after the Crew sent ball after ball into the box without success. All eight first-half shots were off target, or in the case of Lucas Zelarayan, off the framework, while the Lions had four shots. Two were on goal including Schlegel's first career score in the defender's 40th MLS game.

The Crew got caught out of position when an Orlando free kick was recycled and Junior Urso sent a cross to the middle of the box. Schlegel made a run and put a leg on the ball for the redirect.

Orlando City defender Rodrigo Schlegel (15) is congratulated after his goal in the first half against Columbus Crew at Lower.com Field.
Orlando City defender Rodrigo Schlegel (15) is congratulated after his goal in the first half against Columbus Crew at Lower.com Field.
Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports

It was the sixth successive match the Crew allowed the first goal. They are 1-3-2 in those situations. Orlando is 3-0-0 when scoring first and 2-0-0 ahead at halftime.

Moments earlier, Zelarayan had a 19-yard free kick outside the upper left corner of the box hit the crossbar and soon after teammate Artur put an open shot about a foot over the bar.

Gallese came up big on a deflected attempt by Zelarayan for the Crew's lone shot on goal in the 48th minute before Kara extended the lead to 2-0. He had not scored in the first six games but took a pass at his feet from Facundo Torres, spun and ripped a shot past goalkeeper Eloy Room (one save).

That was more than enough against the Crew, who have three goals in the past five games after scoring seven in the first two games.