By Chris Tsakonas
New York City FC dominated Orlando City SC for a 5-0 win in their home opener at Yankee Stadium this afternoon. Keaton Parks led the way with a brace, while Agustin Ojeda, Nico Fernandez Mercau and Maxi Moralez also chipped in with a goal each.
Here are three observations from today’s match.
Crepeau error shapes the match
While the match finished with five goals, the most consequential point of the match came from Orlando City’s starting goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau. In the 16th minute, Crepeau came out of his goal to intercept a ball into the area – but he handled it outside of the box, prompting an immediate red card from referee Guido Gonzales Jr.
Orlando was down to 10 men with 74 minutes remaining, and New York City wasted no time taking advantage. A ball into the box fell to the feet of Agustin Ojeda, whose volley took a bounce and found the left corner of the net to open the scoring in the 21st minute.
Fernandez Mercau and Moralez drive late push in first half
From the opening whistle, Fernandez Mercau was a key factor int he New York City attack. Before Ojeda’s opening goal, Fernandez Mercau had the first chance of the match on a 3rd minute breakaway and set up a pair of scoring chances with crosses in the following 10 minutes.
In the 42nd minute, his playmaking would pay off. Moralez played a cross into the box, and Fernandez Mercau headed it home to double the lead. Fernandez Mercau would indirectly set up New York City’s third goal, as he was pulled down in the box to draw a penalty that Moralez finished to make it 3-0 before the halftime whistle.
Keaton Parks puts it to bed
After a dominant first half where New York City outshot Orlando City 10-1 to a 3-0 lead, many teams would’ve opted to sit back and hold on for the three points.
Parks had other ideas.
In the 49th minute, Tayvon Gray took the ball down the right flank before crossing it into the middle. Parks was there to finish and make it a 4-0 game.
Just five minutes later, a wayward clearance fell to Parks at the top of the box, and he slotted it inside the right post for New York City’s fifth goal.
It was Parks’ first brace since 2019, and it clinched a 5-0 win.
Next Up
New York City will play the second match in a four-match homestand when they host the Colorado Rapids at Yankee Stadium next Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
Live radio commentary with Glenn Crooks and Matty Lawrence will get underway at 7:15 p.m. at newyorkcityfc.com/radio.
