~ Photo credit: Orlando City SC

~ By Pearl Allison Lo

~ In the first large event since the June 12 Orlando shooting, there were no true losers with each team earning a point, as the game ended in dramatic fashion in a 2-2 draw Saturday.

It was San Jose’s first game on Orlando City’s SC home turf and the opposing team was probably more favored than usual considering recent events.

With tributes even before the game, the Quakes partook with Orlando Pride shirts, patches, black armbands and multiple fundraising efforts.

At game end, Orlando remained unbeaten at home with a five game unbeaten streak and at least two goals in their last four MLS games. The Quakes ended a three-game scoreless drought with their most goals scored since May 11.

Orlando has scored at least one goal in all of their games this season.

The first half saw at least five shots for at least each team, but none on target. Orlando had the majority of possession.

San Jose’s Marvell Wynne started the game the way he ended last game, with a speedy clearance in the 3rd minute against Cyle Larin.

The Quakes’ Fatai Alashe and Shaun Francis were issued yellow cards in the 37th and the 39th minutes.

Both teams scored two goals in the second half. San Jose had the majority of possession.

The Quakes’ Victor Bernardez got a yellow in the 46th minute. From the 49th minute on, Orlando got their three yellow cards.

History was made in the league when play was stopped in the 49th minute for a moment of silence for the 49 victims from June 12. Fans held cards around the stadium to represent all the colors of the rainbow.

The scoring opened up in the 67th minute. From straightaway, Orlando’s Seb Hines headed the ball from Adrian Winter’s corner kick into the inside left netting.

San Jose’s Chad Barrett subbed in in the 78th minute and like teammate Shea Salinas who subbed in in the 62nd minute, they would soon contribute critically.

In the 85th minute, the Quakes’ moment came. Salinas sent an innocent looking pass in from beyond the corner of the penalty box. It became dangerous when Barrett then got the ball at a similar position to Hines, near the center of the goal box line. His header bounced past a late diving Joe Bendki, as it hit the ceiling of the net. Barrett’s enthusiasm after his goal was emphatic. It was his first goal in six games played with San Jose.

The teams were not done yet though, as both scored again in stoppage time.

It was a more powerful shot that entered the net in the 91st minute. Orlando’s Carlos Rivas also sent an innocent looking pass to Julio Baptista. His second touch earned him the goal, as goalie David Bingham got his hands on the ball, but it was not enough as it went to the right back of the net. Baptista took off his shirt in celebration and was later penalized for delaying the restart of play.

Surely the game was now over. However, Salinas made sure he had the final say in the 94th minute, as he was due. It started with a goal kick and the Quakes’ did not score until Salinas’ sliding third touch during the sequence, which was interspersed after touches by teammates and Orlando.

Game notes: San Jose’s Anibal Godoy and Alberto Quintero rejoined the team after their stint with Panama. They each had a shot. Teammate Simon Dawkins led the Quakes with four shots. San Jose is still winless on the road and Saturdays this season. They hope to break the Saturday streak in their next matchup, which will be another California Clasico on June 25th at 7pm.