Charlotte FC held a lead into the 12th minute of extra time before Orlando City equalized off a rebound of a penalty kick.

Tonight’s match against Orlando City SC was a ‘do-or-die’ situation for Charlotte FC in the best-of-three round of the 2024 Audi MLS Cup playoffs. Orlando City won the first round, 2-0 while Charlotte FC won 3-1 on penalty kicks in the second round.

The Game 3 match was 1-1 at the end of regulation before goalkeeper Pedro Gallese came up big in the shootout to keep Orlando City’s season alive.

Late-game heroics from Facundo Torres and Pedro Gallese helped Orlando City clinch their round one best-of-3 series on Saturday night to advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Orlando City finds itself in unfamiliar territory. For the first time since the best-of-3 series was implemented for the 2023 MLS Cup playoffs, the Lions are set to play a Game 3 against Charlotte on Saturday at Inter&Co Stadium at 6 p.m.

Charlotte FC lost its third first-round playoff match against Orlando City in the same way the team won its second match of the series.