Galloping up the right flank of the pitch at Soldier Field, it seemed that Orlando City defender Michael Halliday just couldn’t fall down.
Wednesday’s match against the Chicago Fire was only the fourth professional appearance of the 18-year-old’s career. But as he scrambled up the field, every bounce went the way of the homegrown outside back.
Halliday’s first touch ricocheted off a Fire player and into open space, allowing him to sprint into transition. His next handful of touches moved deep into the corner of the field before the defender curled a cross into the box.
The cross was off, deflected away off the foot of Chicago Fire defender Jonathan Bornstein.