ORLANDO — In a match where Orlando City was already missing some of its best players due to a red card and international duty the Lions didn’t have enough in the tank as they fell 2-0 to FC Dallas at the Citrus Bowl on Saturday, Aug. 11.

The Lions started the game uncharacteristically slow as FC Dallas controlled possession for much of the opening 45 minutes before Orlando City closed the gap during the final minutes of the half. FC Dallas also outshot Orlando 9-3 during the first half, while holding the Lions to zero shots on target during the time.

FC Dallas got on the scoreboard when Mauro Diaz scored on a penalty kick after Rafael Ramos was called for a foul inside the box during the 45th minute which gave the forward the chance to slip the ball past a diving Tally Hall and give Dallas a 1-0 lead going into halftime.

“Long 90 minutes,” said Orlando City head coach Adrian Heath following the loss. “We started slowly, a bit lethargic, lacking in energy and we probably got what we deserved which was nothing.

“That’ll probably be the easiest three points on the road that Dallas will get this season I would think.”

David Texeira extended Dallas’ lead to 2-0 when he scored his second goal of the season, this one on a perfectly set up ball by Victor Ulloa that Uruguayan put away in front of net for the score.

Carlos Rivas had a chance to make it a one goal game late with a penalty kick, but he sent the shot far wide leaving Orlando City without a goal.

“It’s probably the most disappointed I’ve been all year,” said Heath. “Lack of enthusiasm, drive, desire, I’ve said on numerous occasions that we haven’t played well but I thought we’ve always shown a little bit of something but I don’t think we’ve shown anything this evening. They were probably better than us in all departments.”

The Lions also lost the services of Luke Boden for their next MLS game after the defender was given two yellow cards, which resulted in a red, during the game.

Orlando City finished the game being outshot 14-5 by FC Dallas while failing to get a shot on target all night.

“They defended us well starting with they put pressure on the center backs and held it so it was hard to play those balls through the middle,” said forward Pedro Ribiero about FC Dallas’ defense. “So a lot of long balls and balls in the air and 50/50 balls that are hard to win.

“They did enough to keep us off the boards.”

Sean St. Ledger left the game in the first half with what appeared to be a left shoulder injury and was subbed out in the 42nd minutes for Aurelien Collin. There is still no further details on St. Ledger’s injury, but he will be further evaluated on Monday

Orlando City went into the match without leading scorer Kaka, who was out due to a red card he received last week against Real Salt Lake, and goal scoring forward Cyle Larin, who is playing for the Canadian national team in the Gold Cup. Darwin Ceren was also out of the lineup as he was also off on international duty with El Salvador.

“Ricky would have had to been good to rejuvenate the rest of the group tonight because we were poor.” said Heath about being without his captain for the game against Dallas.

The missing players resulted in Orlando playing with only five substitutes including the backup goalkeeper. The only subs the Lions didn’t use in the game were Donovan Ricketts and Tyler Turner.

The loss drops Orlando City’s record to 6-7-6 with 24 points for the season while also snapping the Lions five-game home unbeaten streak. It also marks the first time Orlando City has been held scoreless since April 26 when they lost 2-0 to Toronto FC.

Orlando’s next game will be Saturday, Aug. 18 against the New York Red Bulls with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m. from the Citrus Bowl. The Red Bulls game will also be Brazilian Heritage Day at the Citrus Bowl where the Lions will entertain fans with Brazilian themes and music throughout the game.

Despite the loss Orlando City will have a chance on Wednesday to get their bearings as they’ll face West Bromwich Albion in a friendly at the Citrus Bowl. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

Orlando City is a combined 1-2 all-time against English teams in friendly matches.

“If we play like that again next week I guarantee you the score will be very, very similar.” said Heath in the post-game press conference.