New York City FC Suffers Crushing Late Loss to Orlando City, in Match Marked by Dormant Offense, Torrential Rain
Courtesy: NYCFC Twitter
By: Eddie Kalegi
New York City FC fell for the fourth time in their last five matches, losing 2-1 in heartbreaking fashion to Orlando City SC, who notched the game winner six minutes into second half stoppage time.
It was another shorthanded night for NYCFC. Maxi Moralez was active, but Alexander Callens, Alfredo Morales, and Keaton Parks were still sidelined due to injury, while Santi Rodriguez served a mandatory one-game suspension for yellow card accumulation.
Strangely enough, Orlando City has played worse this season at home than on the road, losing seven of their previous twelve at Exploria Stadium. Entering the match, they’d also scored the third fewest goals of any Eastern Conference club. Despite this though, they would get off to a fast start in the seventh minute. A slow NYCFC defensive rotation off a throw-in allowed Junior Urso to cruise into the zone and break through for his fourth tally of the season, giving Orlando the 1-0 lead on just their second shot of the night.
It had already been a very rainy day in Florida, and the skies opened again about 15 minutes into the match, creating yet another obstacle for an already struggling New York City squad. In the 18th minute, Maxi Moralez found Talles Magno with an excellent pass through the elements, but the weather would play a factor, as the suddenly slippery field caused an open Talles Magno to fall and lose the ball. The torrential downpour would also lead to injury, as Thiago Martins would limp off in the 24th minute, with Tayvon Gray replacing him at center back.
By the 30th minute, conditions were brutal. Puddles accumulated across the pitch, and the ball could barely roll. Passes were not traveling more than about ten feet. The awful conditions became slightly more manageable in the latter stages of the half, as the worst of the rain seemed to taper off around the 40th minute, but the damage was done and pitch was soaked.
As surface conditions improved, the pace of play picked up in the final couple minutes of the half. Talles Magno had an opportunity but misfired in stoppage time, as the teams headed to the locker room with Orlando holding the one-goal advantage, giving the grounds crew a much needed opportunity to dry up the pitch.
By the start of the second half, the rain had fully stopped, and the boys in blue began their quest for an equalizer. Antonio Carlos would draw a yellow card (originally ruled a red), as NYCFC sought to steal the momentum.
Throughout the month of August, New York City FC has struggled to hold leads. But this time, they’d be on the other side of that situation. In the 53rd minute, Orlando City’s defense had an ugly failed clearance, allowing Thiago Andrade to find Maxi Moralez for the goal past goalie Pedro Gallese, tying up the game at one score apiece. It was Moralez’s fifth career goal against Orlando, and Andrade’s second assist of the 2022 season.
With the game now tied, both offenses stepped up the aggression and trade chances, but repeatedly came up empty.
In the 78th minute, moments after Heber replaced Talles Magno for New York City, Kyle Smith just barely missed a potential go-ahead goal, shanking it high. Sean Johnson would deny another Orlando chance just before stoppage time commenced.
NYCFC’s defense looked increasingly worn out, and eventually couldn’t keep Orlando off the board. In the sixth and final minute of stoppage time, Tesho Akindele headed the game-winner just inside the right post off of a corner kick, giving Orlando City the lead, and handing New York City yet another brutal loss. Sean Johnson was in disbelief.
New York City FC is now 1-4-1 in six matches since Taty Castellanos left for La Liga. The offense continues to be largely silent, as City had just five shots compared to Orlando’s 17. They will close the month of August back at home this Wednesday against D.C. United, who sit in place in the Eastern Conference. The match will be played at Red Bull Arena, the second New York City has hosted in Harrison this season.