NYCFC Goals: Villa 73 mins
Orlando Goals: Larin 31mins & 50mins
A Quick Lookā¦
Sporting Earth Day inspired jerseys on a beautiful spring day in the Bronx, New York City FC were unable to avenge their opening weekend defeat to Orlando, going down 2-1.
NYCFCās nemesis Cyle Larin scored on either side of the halftime interval to inflict a first home defeat of the season despite Villaās late reply on 73ā.
What Happenedā¦
A well-worked corner routine almost gave NYCFC the perfect start inside 60 seconds as Andrea Pirlo found Alex Ring on the edge of the box but the Finnish midfielderās sweetly-struck shot was beaten away by Joe Bendik in the Orlando goal.
That was the extent of the goalmouth action in a cagey, incident-free first 20 minutes as the two 2015 Expansion Teams sized one another up in a tactical chess match.
The game caught fire again when Jack Harrison picked up the ball on the right wing on 24ā and swung in an enticing cross towards Maxi Moralez who forced another good save from Bendik with his stooping, diving header.
However, it was The Lions who pounced first through NYCFCās arch-enemy Cyle Larin who scored his eighth goal in seven appearances against the boys in blue, sweeping one in from close range after an Orlando break.
That was how it stayed until the halftime interval, leaving Head Coach Patrick Vieira with an important halftime address to deliver to his charges but it was the visitors who came out firing in the second period, doubling their lead on 50ā.
Of course it was Larin again who made it nine in seven after he outmuscled Rodney Wallace and headed a deep cross back where it came from and beyond Sean Johnsonās outstretched hand.
With a mountain to climb, Vieira brought in Yangel Herrera for Andrea Pirlo and the Venezuelan was involved in the buildup as NYCFC nearly came back to within a goal as McNamaraās deflected effort looped over the ākeeper and landed on the roof of the net.
Wallace forced Bendik into his first proper save on 67ā with a diving header which had to be parried away but five minutes later, Vieiraās men were finally on the board.
Moralez found Villa with a dinked free-kick over the top and El Guaje swiveled and volleyed from the acutest of angles to ignite hopes of a dramatic comeback.
Moralez and Harrison both went close with stunning efforts in the final 10 minutes but Bendik prevailed with three excellent saves and the visitors held on for all of the points.
Orlando still seem to have NYCFCās number... we meet again in Florida on May 21 to see if third time's a charm.
Key Momentā¦
Orlandoās opener came against the run of play as NYCFC were ramping up the pressure in the minutes leading up to it, with Harrison growing especially influential.
Their old scourge, Cyle Larin, came up with the goal which clearly took its toll on the confidence the home team had displayed before then.
Man of the Matchā¦
Maxi Moralez
The little Argentine seemed to grow stronger as the game went on and it was no surprise he was heavily involved in the first goal, loading the bullet for Villaās sixth goal of the campaign.
He nearly equalized himself with an outrageous cushioned volley lob over Bendik and would have if not for a brilliant save.
Social Post of the Game...
Stats and Milestonesā¦
- Tommy McNamara made his first start of the 2017 season.
- NYCFCās record against Orlando City is now 1-5-2.
- David Villa scored his sixth goal of the 2017 MLS season.
- John Stertzer made his NYCFC debut.
- Cyle Larin has now scored nine goals in seven games against NYCFC.
- This was NYCFCās first defeat at Yankee Stadium in 11 Regular Season games.
- Former Head Coach Jason Kreis returned to Yankee Stadium for the first time since departing in 2015.
Earth Day
Both teams were wearing jerseys produced using technical yarns containing Parley Ocean Plasticā¢ to create awareness for Earth Day 2017.
How They Lined Upā¦
Tommy McNamara came in for the injured Ronald Matarrita as the only change from NYCFCās victory over Philadelphia Union last week.
Elsewhere, the team remained the same from the one which has started all but one of NYCFCās games to date, with Ethan White remaining at right-back beside Alexander Callens and Maxime Chanot.
In midfield, Andrea Pirlo and Alex Ring once again anchored the central third of the Etihad Pitch and Maxi Moralez started in between Jack Harrison and McNamara in behind David Villa.
Whatās Nextā¦
NYCFC travel to the Mapfre Stadium for their next assignment, taking on Columbus Crew SC on Saturday April 29 at 7.30pm.