THE GAME WAS only twelve seconds old when Julio Baptista won his new team a penalty.
His compatriot Kaka duly converted from the spot to put Orlando City SC in control against the New England Revolution though for a big man, ‘The Beast’ did seem to go ground rather easily.
The Revs equalised later in the half before the real controversy occurred in injury-time.
Orlando’s Kevin Molino appeared to handle before arrowing a left-foot strike to the bottom corner but the referee, Baldomero Toledo, thought otherwise.
Things got worse for the embattled official when, with the last attack of the game, Lee Nguyen’s cross seemed to hit Orlando’s Servando Carrasco in the chest and confusion instantly reigned.
Despite Carrasco having been positioned well inside the area and having pushed his upper body towards the ball rather than his arm, Toledo blew his whistle and awarded a free-kick for what he deemed a hand-ball, much to the dismay of the Revs’ players.
But, having chatted to his assistants, he changed his mind and awarded a penalty which Nguyen promptly tucked away to ensure a 2-2 draw.
Then, both benches got involved with respective managers Adrian Heath and Jay Heaps exchanging words while water bottles were also thrown on the field in disgust.
The42 is on Snapchat! Tap the button below on your phone to add!
