With less than two minutes to go, fans began to slowly file out of the stadium to beat traffic, deciding the then 0-2 outcome of Orlando City’s season opener against Real Salt Lake.

In the 93rd minute, sophomore Cyle Larin broke free of the hour and a half slump on an assist from Brek Shea into the net of Real Salt Lake. Crowds celebrated the move from naught-two to 1 and 2, having seen game action.

Fewer fans made the move to leave the stadium despite a minute of stoppage time left, rewarded with an astonishing second goal less than a minute later that moved down the field, in due credit to Luke Boden, to Adrian Winter to tie up the game.

Game officials called time and tens of thousands of fans remained on their feet to capture the ‘incredible feat.’ A year ago, Orlando City saw its inaugural season opener come down to the final minutes, one point down, and soon equalized after a goal from Ricardo Kaká.

That’s not to say the game was without its fault, given the penalties and the ‘at least four or five solid opportunities’ to put the Lions ahead, according to OCSC head coach Adrian Heath.

Real Salt Lake earned two yellow cards to start the half as well as a red card. The Lions tallied a red card as well after a shoulder-to-head contact from Darwin Ceren and a yellow after Pedro Rubeiro in the 31st minute.

The match’s player of the game went to Brek Shea and his assist to close the scoring gap as well as his performance in moving the ball across for would-be opportunities.

Midfielder Ricardo Kaká received an injury during kickoff week that interfered with the Orlando City star player’s ability to participate in the season opener. The soccer club’s newest addition, Antonio Nocerino, arrived to Orlando International Airport to fans on Friday. Nocerino walked on center field with majority owner Augusto Flavio at halftime to greet a near-full citrus bowl after leaving Italy to the U.S.A.

Nocerino expects to see game time as a starter as soon as the Lions staff see the former Euro League player fit to play. Kaká takes to the field as soon as Friday, when the Chicago Fire travel to Orlando to beat a four goal deficit made on Sunday.

Orlando City aims for a decision in the green on Friday at 7 p.m. at the Citrus Bowl against the Chicago Fire.

Photo credit: Aileen Perilla