ORLANDO, Fla. (May 21, 2017) – Orlando City SC (6-4-2, 20 points) saw its six-game home-unbeaten streak come to an end with a 3-0 loss to New York City FC (6-4-2, 20 points) Sunday night.
“Obviously grave, grave disappointment to lose our first game in front of our home fans. I thought the fans were excellent again tonight. The atmosphere in the crowd was terrific, the atmosphere in the stadium was terrific,” Lions Head Coach Jason Kreis said. “After every single win we talked about the improvements we need to make and so after the loss we stay the same. We’re not going to go into a shell or believe we’re the worst team in the league or that we’re in some very, very bad spot. We still need to improve. We still need to work hard every week. And we need to do our best to prepare ourselves for next week’s game.”
City finishes the season series with six of nine possible points against NYCFC. Léo Pereira, who was the first player moved between Orlando City and official partner Clube Atlético Paranaense, made his second consecutive start. Center back Jonathan Spector returned to the lineup, as did left back Donny Toia. Scott Sutter rounded out the back line in front of Joe Bendik. Antonio Nocerino, Cristian Higuita, Will Johnson and Kaká manned the midfield with Cyle Larin and Carlos Rivas up top.
NYCFC broke through first when David Villa scored from the penalty spot in the 14th minute. It was the Lions’ first penalty kick goal allowed this season. Rodney Wallace scored in the 35th minute before Villa tallied again in the 82nd.
Rivas put in a hard-working shift in his ninth start of the season. The Colombian raced down long ball after long ball, hounded NYCFC defenders and curled some nice balls into the box. The Designated Player finished with four shots.
“Carlos again worked really, really hard,” Kreis continued. “Tireless effort by Carlos. I thought he worked extremely hard to pressure defenders. All in all, it’s difficult to be pleased with somebody’s performance but I thought Carlos gave us everything that he could.”
The match saw Larin attempt his first career penalty kick, which he rang off the corner of the post in the 64th minute.
City will visit 2017 expansion side Minnesota United FC on Saturday, May 27. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. ET at TCF Bank Stadium. The Lions return to Orlando City Stadium on Wednesday, May 31, when they host D.C. United. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET.
Tickets to all City home matches are available at OrlandoCitySC.com or by calling 855-ORL-CITY. Follow the latest Orlando City news and updates via Facebook, Twitter,Instagram and YouTube.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS:
First Half
1’ Jonathan Spector dives in front of a shot from inside the 18-yard box.
6’ Carlos Rivas races onto a long ball and wins a corner. Will Johnson plays it short to Kaká and the Lions work it around.
9’ Léo Pereira does well to clear a dangerous free kick delivery from Jack Harrison.
13’ Harrison curls an out-swinging ball that falls to Rodney Wallace at the back post. Wallace shoots the ball off Kaká’s arm and the referee awards a penalty kick.
14’ David Villa beats Joe Bendik to the far post. Orlando City 0, New York City 1.
19’ Mikey Lopez is shown a yellow card for a harsh challenge on Kaká.
22’ Rivas races onto a loose ball, curls it to the back post for Larin and earns a corner. Johnson swings the ball to Spector at the far post, Sutter feeds in another and the Lions continue pressing.
25’ Kaká picks up a clearance from Spector and begins the counter. The Lions work it out to the left wing for Rivas, who curls another ball for Larin but barely misses.
27’ Rivas uses his speed to find space up the left wing and earns another corner. Johnson’s service to the far post yields a goal kick.
32’ Donny Toia does well to beat Harrison for a header on the six-yard box.
34’ Rivas is shown a yellow card for tackling Villa.
35’ Wallace gets on the end of Ethan White’s cross for the goal. Orlando City 0, NYCFC 2.
45 (+1)’ Maxi Morález is shown a yellow card for tackling Johnson.
45 (+2)’ After two minutes of added time, the referee ends the first half. Orlando City 0, New York City 2.
Second Half
55’ Bendik dives to his left to get a hand on Morález’ shot from outside the box.
60’ Giles Barnes enters the match in place of Kaká. Matías Pérez García enters the match in place of Antonio Nocerino. Will Johnson takes the captain’s armband.
63’ Sutter races onto Rivas’ through ball and earns a penalty kick.
64’ Larin shoots his first career penalty kick off the post.
71’ Bendik makes a diving save to his right and parries the ball away from danger.
75’ Luis Gil enters the match in place of Cristian Higuita. Gil immediately blasts a shot from 25 yards that forces Sean Johnson into his best save of the night.
76’ Rivas intercepts the ball and drives towards the box. Johnson rips a volley wide.
78’ MPG flies up the pitch and feeds Sutter on the wing. Sutter floats the ball in for Rivas who drives a header just wide.
80’ Barnes curls the ball in from the wing for Johnson but he cannot direct his header on frame.
82’ Villa gets in behind and makes it 3-0.
90 (+3)’ After three minutes of added time, the referee ends the match. Orlando City 0, New York City 3.
Scoring Summary:
NYC - David Villa (PK) 14’
NYC - Rodney Wallace (Ethan White) 35’
NYC - David Villa (Maxi Moralez) 82’
Misconduct Summary:
NYC - Mikey Lopez (Yellow Card) 19’
ORL - Carlos Rivas (Yellow Card) 34’
NYC - Maxi Morález (Yellow Card) 45 (+1)’
ORL - Léo Pereira (Yellow Card) 90 (+2)’
Lineups/Substitutions:
Orlando City SC - GK Joe Bendik, D Donny Toia, Léo Pereira, Jonathan Spector, Scott Sutter, M Antonio Nocerino (Matías Pérez García 60’), Will Johnson, Cristian Higuita (Luis Gil 75’), Ⓒ Kaká (Giles Barnes 60’), F Carlos Rivas, Cyle Larin
Substitutes Not Used: GK Josh Saunders, D PC, José Aja, M Servando Carrasco
New York City FC - GK Sean Johnson, D Ben Sweat, Alexander Callens, Maxime Chanot, Ethan White (RJ Allen 37’), M Alex Ring, Mikey Lopez, Maxi Morález, F Jack Harrison (Miguel Camargo 80’), David Villa (Thomas McNamara 86’), Rodney Wallace
Substitutes Not Used: GK Eirik Johansen D Frederic Brillant, M John Stertzer, F Sean Okoli
Details of the Game:
Time: 7 p.m. ET
Weather: Clear
Date: May 21, 2017
Attendance: 25,527
Stats:
Possession:
ORL - 48.3 %
NYC - 51.7 %
Shots:
ORL - 10
NYC - 12
Saves:
ORL - 2
NYC - 2
Fouls:
ORL - 18
NYC - 13
Corners:
ORL - 4
NYC - 3
