New York City FC gets back on track with 4-2 win over Orlando City SC
Courtesy: New York City FC
By Chris Tsakonas
NEW YORK - A three-goal first half was enough for New York City to get a 4-2 win over Orlando City tonight at Yankee Stadium. With the win, New York City snaps three-match losing streak with its first win since May 31.
Here are three observations from New York City’s 10th win of the season.
Santi strikes again
It didn’t take long for New York City to take the lead, as Santi Rodriguez found the back of the net with a 25-yard strike into the lower left corner in the 15th minute. The goal came on New York City’s third shot of the match, and it came after controlling much of the run of play through the opening stretch of the first half.
The goal continues a strong run of form for Rodriguez this season, as he now has a career-high eight goals and seven assists on the season. Rodriguez added an assist later in the half on an initial ball that ultimately set up New York City’s second goal from Hannes Wolf.
Tayvon Gray playmaking seals the deal before halftime
There were 13 minutes of stoppage time in the first half, which gave New York City enough time to add to the lead with two additional goals - and Tayvon Gray was the facilitator for both of them.
In the fourth minute of stoppage time, Gray cut it back on the byline to find Wolf at the edge of the six-yard box for a deflected shot that found the back of the net. Eight minutes later, Gray played it across for Agustin Ojeda to set up a finish that made it 3-0 on the stroke of halftime.
“The one area that we've consistently spoken to him about is can he emulate Anton Tinnerholm and add assists and goals to his game? Can he be a real offensive threat in the final third and push numbers? He was on two assists before tonight, and he had two really critical moments tonight, so I'm really pleased with Tayvon. He's really improving his game and he's really helping the team at the moment,” head coach Nick Cushing said after the match.
Those two assists facilitated a three-goal first half that ultimately proved decisive, as Orlando City scored two late goals from Dagur Thorhallsson in the 72nd minute and Duncan McGuire in the second minute of stoppage time. Mounsef Bakrar added on New York City’s fourth goal just before the final whistle to make it a 4-2 win.
Jones goes down in hard collision
Things took a scary turn for both teams shortly after Rodriguez’s opening goal, as Malachi Jones collided with Orlando City goalkeeper Mason Stajduhar on a breakaway in the 18th minute. Both players ended up having to leave the game with injuries, as Jones came off for Agustin Ojeda while Stajduhar was replaced by backup goalkeeper Javier Otero.
After the match, Cushing said that the club is awaiting further details on the injury from the medical team as Jones is being treated at the emergency room. In his rookie season with New York City, Jones has one goal and three assists in 14 matches.
Next Up
New York City will head across the East River to Citi Field for a home match against CF Montreal on Wednesday night. Montreal enters Saturday night’s match against the Philadelphia Union at 14th place in the Eastern Conference on 19 points - which is just one point ahead of the last-place Chicago Fire.
Live radio commentary from Glenn Crooks and Matty Lawrence will begin at 7:15 P.M. at newyorkcityfc.com/radio or the Apple TV Home Radio feature.