MIAMI, Florida – History was made on both ends on Tuesday night in Orlando City’s 3-1 triumph over Cavalry of the Canadian Premier League in the second leg of their 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup Round One series at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando, Florida.
The result earned Orlando City a 6-1 victory on aggregate and a date in the Round of 16 versus Tigres. It was also the first Champions Cup home victory and first Champions Cup series win for Orlando City.
Despite the defeat, Cavalry made some history of their own by scoring their first ever Champions Cup goal in the second half through Myer Bevan.
Orlando City controlled the opening moments, but midway through the half Cavalry started to get some good looks at goal and came within a foot of scoring in the 27’ when Charles Trafford headed wide off a corner kick.
New arrival Luis Muriel was enjoying a bright start in his Orlando City debut and had two good cracks at goal in the first 45 minutes.
Muriel continued to make an impact and used his playmaking skills to craft the opening goal, setting up another new arrival to the side, former Seattle Sounders man and 2022 Champions Cup winner Nicolas Lodeiro, who received a pass from Muriel and calmly slotted into goal in the 49’ for a 1-0 lead.
Cavalry never stopped pushing, though, and they were handsomely rewarded in the 64’ when William Akio played in a pass from the left wing and Myer Bevan was there to steer home the historic goal to make it 1-1.
Historic moment for Cavalry! Myer Bevan nets the team's first-ever goal in #ConcaChampions history! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/FzKAtUSDZ5
— Concacaf Champions Cup (@TheChampions) February 28, 2024
The Cavalry goal sparked Orlando City to life again and soon enough it was 2-1 to the home side on a special right-footed strike from Ramiro Enrique in the 71’ that went blazing into the top right corner of net.
Orlando City then capped their night with an excellent strike from Kyle Smith in the 88’ to round out the 3-1 scoreline.
