ORLANDO, Fla. — Orlando City played to a 1-1 draw on Wednesday night at Exploria Stadium, but Liga MX'sTigres UANL advanced out of the Round of 16 of the Champions League because away goals hold greater weight under CONCACAF rules.

The teams played to a 0-0 tie in Mexico last week, so the single away goal scored by the Tigres was enough for them to advance in the two-leg series.

What You Need To Know

  • The Lions and Liga MX's Tigres played to a 1-1 draw Wednesday

  • The teams had played to a 0-0 draw in the first leg last week in Mexico

  • Under CONCACAF rules, the Tigres' one away goal gave them the victory

  • Ercan Kara scored Orlando City's goal on a bicycle kick, and Pedro Gallese had seven saves

It marked the end of the Lions’ first appearance in the Champions League after they won the U.S. Open Cup last year.

The Tigres got the scoring started early with a goal by Sebastian Cordova in the 20th minute.

Orlando City had never scored against a Mexican side until Wednesday night, and it took until the 89th minute on a bicycle kick, his first goal of the year.

The game went to five minutes of stoppage time.

“It shows that this team does not give up at all,” Coach Oscar Pareja said. “We push, push, push, and then we fight again. After that, I thought we had the energy to score a winning goal, including that chance that Duncan [McGuire] had, (and) could have been one or two more, but again, the referees cut the game. We pushed.” 

Orlando City goalkeeper Pedro Gallese made seven saves. He has allowed only two goals through the Lions’ first five matches to begin the year.

“We are proud of the effort that we showed in the game,” Pareja said.

But he was critical of the way the stoppage time minutes were managed. He was visibly heated and issued a red card after the final whistle.

“Obviously, emotions are there, and it is much better to wait and calm down and other things," Pareja said.

Striker Duncan McGuire said it was a frustrating way for the game to end, but he said the players appreciated the supporters and said they would look to use the positives out of the experience as they move forward with the rest of the Major League Soccer season.

The Lions will return to MLS action at 7:30 p.m. Saturday against Charlotte FC at Exploria Stadium.