Orlando City SC made up for previous slow starts. But late weakness and a blunder doomed the Lions against New York City FC.
Both teams opened the match at a blazing pace when New York City FC took on Orlando City SC at Inter&Co Stadium. Forward Luis Muriel got a chance in the 10th minute and nearly scored against FC keeper Matt Freese.
New York didn’t take the attack lightly and started fighting into their attacking third. But the Lions played a great high press that FC couldn’t overcome in the first half.
That strategy enabled Orlando to defend high up the pitch. SC played it effectively into the second half. It is a strategy that disrupted New York’s plan and frustrated everything they tried. Defender Robin Jansson got the ball in a corner and scored from close range, with assists by David Brekalo and Martin Ojeda.
That sent New York to their locker room, losing 1-0. The score held almost through regulation. But an old hex attacked the Lions. They lost focus and coordination late in the match. At first, it cost them the lead. Then it cost them the match.
Losing coordination at any time when working the high press causes spaces to open up that the players will struggle to control. That also increases the possibility of blunders. That’s what happened to the Lions.
A header from New York midfielder Andres Perea first hit the post. Then, in a goalmouth scramble, the ball caromed off Kyle Smith for an Own Goal in the 87th minute. That alarm didn’t wake up enough Orlando City players.
In second-half stoppage time, winger Alonso Martinez got a ball past Orlando goalkeeper Pedro Gallese for a 2-1 lead, assisted by Julian Fernandez.
To his credit, Orlando defender Alex Freeman, a minute later, popped a shot on target that Mat Freese saved. But there would be no equalizer.
Orlando City SC played brilliantly for nearly an entire match. Losing at the end of the game should be easy to fix. But the Lions will have to fix it now to make the season work for themselves and their supporters.