Orlando, Florida — Nani didn’t miss a beat. The Orlando City SC midfielder didn’t let one slip up in regular time mess with his confidence. Nani missed a penalty kick in the 57th minute, but then made up for it when it counted.
Not to say the second-half miss didn’t count. Of course, Nani is a veteran. A missed penalty was put behind him as soon as it was saved by Kenneth Vermeer of Los Angeles FC.
However, when the match came down to penalty kicks, it came down to Nani. The midfielder was the final player to line up his kick. If he made the kick, then the Lions would advance to the MLS is Back Tournament semifinals. Nani took a stutter-step, and then calmly slotted his kick past Vermeer.
Now, the Lions will face the winner of San Jose and Minnesota, which happens tomorrow at 8 p.m. EST, on Aug. 6.
LAFC took the lead in the second half. Only minutes after the missed penalty, Bradley Wright-Phillips slotted home a shot in the 60th minute. In the first half, Wright-Phillips looked to score a goal in the 32nd minute. However, VAR ruled that Ruan was offside, taking away the goal.
João Moutinho was a hero for Orlando City, scoring in the 90th minute to equalize the match.
BELIEVE IT. CITY IS HEADED TO THE SEMIS! #ORLvLAFC | #VamosOrlando pic.twitter.com/wEj2erXU3h
— x – Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) August 1, 2020
Penalties favor Orlando City SC
Orlando City SC and LAFC took to the pitch after the final whistle blew for penalty kicks. After ending in 1-1, goalkeepers Vermeer and Pedro Gallese had their chat with the referee and then took their place in net.
Everyone for Orlando City converted their penalty kick attempts. Lining up to the spot were Mauricio Pereyra, Kyle Smith, Moutinho, Antônio Carlos and Nani. Meanwhile, for LAFC, Jordan Harvey was the lone player who missed his shot, sailing it away from Gallese.
Converting their attempts, though, for LAFC were Francisco Ginella, Diego Rossi, Brian Rodríguez and Latif Blessing.
Enough said. pic.twitter.com/XRo1FfDwKz
— Alex DeJohn (@alexdejohn5) August 1, 2020
