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Orlando City vs. New York City FC: Final Score 2-1 as Lions Continue to Struggle at Yankee Stadium

Once again, Orlando City failed to solve the tiny puzzle of Yankee Stadium, falling on the road.

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2 months ago

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Image courtesy of Orlando City FC

Orlando City dropped to 0-4-2 in its last six meetings against New York City FC, struggling with turnovers and defending in a 2-1 loss at Yankee Stadium. The Lions (1-2-0, 3 points) handed NYCFC (1-1-1, 4 points) their first win of the season by conceding just moments after Luis Muriel scored a second-half equalizer and then failing to do anything with a man advantage for the final five minutes plus five more minutes of added time. Alonso Martinez and Hannes Wolf scored for the hosts, who were gifted the ball in their attacking half all night.

“Our feelings now are strong on the way we gave up the goals, and I think that changed the story of the game,” Orlando City Head Coach Oscar Pareja said after the match. “The game was well played by Orlando. I thought we had very good chances and the way we neutralized the forwards in the way they attacked was very correct. I thought the discipline for the boys was very similar to where we planned during the week.”

Pareja’s lineup featured a couple of changes, with captain Robin Jansson making his season debut in the starting lineup after missing the team’s first two matches with a thigh injury. Luis Muriel got his first start of the year up top in place of Ramiro Enrique. Pedro Gallese started in net behind a back line of Rafael Santos, Jansson, Rodrigo Schlegel, and Alex Freeman. Cesar Araujo and Eduard Atuesta started in central midfield behind an attacking line of Ivan Angulo, Martin Ojeda, and Marco Pasalic, with Muriel up top.

The first half was as sloppy and helter skelter as Orlando’s games at Yankee Stadium usually are. Once the Lions settled in and started creating some chances, they were wasteful with them, blowing a couple of golden opportunities to break the scoreless deadlock without even troubling NYCFC goalkeeper Matt Freese.

The Pigeons dominated the first 10 minutes, with the Lions barely able to successfully complete more than two consecutive passes. The hosts won their first corner early on when Freeman was forced into some emergency defending to clear a dangerous ball into the box. A short corner ended up with a ball in the box bouncing off the heads of Jonathan Shore and Keaton Parks before sailing over the net in the fourth minute.

NYCFC kept winning set pieces and getting the ball into the area in the early going. A Justin Haak shot off a free kick conceded by Atuesta won a second corner. Parks got his header closer in the eighth minute but popped it up, allowing Gallese to claim it in the air.

Orlando finally got a look at goal in the 12th minute. Angulo did well to find Muriel in the middle with a cross, but the Colombian couldn’t get any power on his header and popped it just inches over the crossbar. That began a good spell for Orlando City in which the Lions were able to recover the ball in the attacking half and create chances.

However, the Lions wasted those opportunities. Pasalic found himself open at the top of the area in the 16th minute but scuffed his shot and sent it wide. A minute later, Freeman did well to pick out Muriel, who shook free and fired with his weaker right foot, but again the shot went wide. Orlando City had two more good-looking attack buildups go awry moments later, with Angulo and then Atuesta giving the ball away.

New York City FC got back on the front foot, with Jansson nearly scoring an own goal in the 20th minute as Freeman and Pasalic got burned down the defensive right side to allow a dangerous cross into the area.

In the 22nd minute, it was Santos giving the ball away cheaply to ignite the NYCFC attack. Schlegel cleared the entry ball out, but only as far as Julian Fernandez at the top of the area on the right. The winger smashed a shot into the outside netting.

Martinez forced a Gallese save on a bouncing shot in the 25th minute after Angulo coughed up the ball in the attacking third by trying to dribble three defenders and jumpstarting the attack for the hosts.

Atuesta sent a poor shot well wide, and Muriel and Pasalic each had shots blocked late in the first half and the teams went to the break scoreless.

The hosts held the advantage in possession (62%-38%), shots on target (2-0), corners (4-1), and passing accuracy (79.8%-71.5%). The Lions attempted more shots (8-4) but did absolutely nothing with any of them, including two great chances to open the scoring.

If anything, the Lions were sloppier with the ball in the second half. Failures to adequately clear lines with time and space and giveaways even when outnumbering the opponents were problems.

Just like the first half, NYCFC came out with more energy than Orlando City and started creating issues and winning corners early. The Lions were able to hold on through those early moments.

Muriel finally got Orlando City a shot on target in the 58th minute, taking a nice ball from Ojeda and firing from the right with his weaker right foot, forcing a sprawling, if not difficult, save. It was a costly missed opportunity, because the hosts opened the scoring a minute later.

Orlando had possession in the defensive third, but kept making unexpected short, weak passes to each other and eventually NYCFC pounced, as Atuesta barely got a touch on the ball before being dispossessed. That to a Maxi Moralez shot from distance that hit off the post. Gallese had sold out to try to stop it and was unable to reach the rebound before Martinez raced past the defense and swept it into the empty net to make it 1-0 in the 59th minute.

“I think it’s something that we expected, and we had worked during the week to be able to withstand that burst of energy in the first (15 minuts) of each half,” Muriel said. “But yeah, especially New York City playing at home tonight, the energy they had in the first 15 was expected, but it was also noticeable on our part. And you know, at the end of the day, we have to continue working as we move forward to take the results that we want and get better from here.”

Fernandez cut inside of Santos and fired a shot in the 62nd minute, but Gallese was there to make the save.

The Lions got back into the attack finally but could do nothing with a corner kick opportunity and Santos was caught between two minds in the 67th minute, sending either a weak shot or a poor cross right at Freese from the left wing. A minute later, the ball found Pasalic in the area with space, but he took too much time on the ball and was dispossessed.

Orlando City equalized in the 69th minute anyway, and Pasalic played a part in the goal. The Croatian pounced on a layoff by Muriel that may have been deflected and broke up field. He did well to wait for Muriel’s run and fed the ball right. Muriel fired home inside the left post to make it 1-1 in the 69th minute.

“Marco was crossing in front for that quick touch and turned it into space. And he was able to really take it forward, and he controlled the space well and allowed me time to run into that open space,” Muriel said. “And he played a great ball that basically all I had to do was was finish it and put it on goal.”

“What we felt as soon as we tied the game, it was that we were not just controlling the game, (but) that we had the chance to win it,” Pareja said.

The hosts pulled the goal back almost immediately as the Lions fell asleep defensively. Schlegel got pulled out to the right in the buildup, with Araujo dropping into the middle. Martinez took a shot from distance that Gallese palmed down, but the Peruvian did a poor job with his rebound control, leaving the ball unattended in front of goal. Fernandez had made a run in behind, with Araujo’s presence keeping him just onside on the play. As a result, Fernandez got to the ball first and squared it back across to Wolf for an easy goal that proved to be the game winner in the 71st minute.

“It’s very obvious that we conceded too many goals on those three games,” Pareja said. “We can share the same thoughts that we find a way to defend much better. But when you see the nature of the goals, it may be even more painful, because it was not structural. It was something probably that we could correct better individually. But it’s the reality that we have, and surely we will keep addressing that part.”

Atuesta had a chance to pull Orlando level again when he found the ball inside the box in the 78th minute and fired a shot on target, but he left it too close to Freese, who made the save.

Orlando was thrown a lifeline in the 86th minute when Kevin O’Toole saw a second yellow in nine minutes for pulling back substitute Gustavo Caraballo. The NYCFC player was sent off, giving the Lions a man advantage for the final minutes of normal time and five added minutes.

The Lions’ moment came in the 90th minute. Freeman won a corner kick and Caraballo’s service found Araujo near the back post for a free header. The midfielder got under the ball and popped it up over the net, wasting a great opportunity.

Orlando generated nothing of note in injury time and the referee didn’t add anything to the five extra minutes for egregious time wasting by Freese, ending the proceedings with Orlando’s second loss of the young season.

New York City FC finished with the advantage in possession (56.3%-43.8%), shots on target (8-3), corners (7-4), and passing accuracy (78.9%-76.2%). The Lions edged the hosts in total shot attempts (14-13).

“We were the team who had probably — especially in that first half — the clear possibilities,” Pareja said. “But definitely our pain right now is how we conceded those goals, and that’s what just brings this feeling of frustration.”

The Lions will return home, but they’ll have to fly northeast again next weekend as they look to bounce back when they visit the New York Red Bulls on Saturday night.

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Lion Links

Lion Links: 4/24/25

Orlando Pride prepare for Angel City FC, MLS deadline day deals, OCB slips in power rankings, and more.

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2 hours ago

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April 24, 2025

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Jeremy Reper

How’s it going, Mane Landers? It’s been a few days since a rough weekend for Orlando City and the Orlando Pride. Time heals all wounds, but let’s also hope it heals offenses considering both teams were shut out. Let’s go ahead and manifest some good officiating this weekend as well while we’re at it. That might be a tall order, but I’m feeling optimistic. Let’s get to the links!

Orlando Pride Prepare for Angel City FC

The Orlando Pride will look to bounce back when they welcome Angel City FC to the City Beautiful for a home game Friday night. Orlando lost its first game of the year and first home game since 2023 last week against the Washington Spirit, falling 1-0. Angel City is also coming off of its first loss of the season, falling 4-0 at home to NJ/NY Gotham FC at home. Pride defender Kerry Abello spoke on how the Pride will need to create better chances compared to last week as they prepare to right the ship with a home victory.

Orlando City B Drops a Spot in Power Rankings

Although OCB fell from third to fourth in the latest MLS NEXT Pro power rankings, the Young Lions are solidly in the top five teams in the league. OCB was on a bye last weekend, so not moving too much in the rankings can be expected. While the Young Lions fell 3-2 in their last league game against Inter Miami II, spirits are likely high with the team due to the Orlando City U-18 team’s success in the Generation Adidas Cup. Let’s hope the Young Lions can ride that momentum into Sunday night’s match with New York Red Bulls II.

MLS Deadline Day Transfer News

The MLS transfer deadline day has come and gone and there were some notable moves to catch up on. Real Salt Lake’s deal with Boavista for forward Robert Bozenik reportedly collapsed, but the club still added striker William Agada from Sporting Kansas City in exchange for $500,000 in 2025 General Allocation Money and another $350,000 in GAM if he re-signs. Inter Miami traded winger Robert Taylor to Austin FC in exchange for up to $750,000 in GAM, with only $50,000 of that being conditional. Atlanta United traded winger Xande Silva to St. Louis City SC for up to $250,000 in GAM as well.

The Houston Dynamo also have a new forward, signing Toyosi Olusanya from Scottish club St. Mirren. The New England Revolution traded Noel Buck to the San Jose Earthquakes for up to $650,000 in cold, hard cash, reuniting the 20-year-old with Bruce Arena. Frankie Amaya is back in MLS, joining LAFC on loan from Toluca. As of this writing, Minnesota United are reportedly in hot pursuit of Miami’s Julian Gressel.

Sources: Minnesota United in advanced talks to acquire Julian Gressel from Inter Miami.Nothing done yet. Still details to figure out. Optimism something gets done, but not there yet.

— Tom Bogert (@tombogert.bsky.social) 2025-04-24T00:25:26.971Z

Keeping Up With the Americans Abroad

The race for a place in the English Premier League is heating up in the EFL Championship and Americans are right in the thick of it. Brenden Aaronson and Leeds United have already secured promotion, along with Burnley. Forward Haji Wright has scored 12 goals for Coventry City this season, and his club currently holds the final playoff spot. Midfielder Aidan Morris and Middlesbrough are three points behind, while former Lion Daryl Dike and West Brom will need to win their remaining two matches for a shot at sneaking in.

In Italy, Christian Pulisic started in AC Milan’s 3-0 victory over rival Inter to book a spot in the Italian Cup final on May 14. Fellow American Yunus Musah was an unused substitute. Catarina Macario scored twice and Mia Fishel added a goal as well in Chelsea’s 4-0 win against Crystal Palace, helping their team get ever closer to winning its sixth straight Women’s Super League title.

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That’s it for today’s links! Make sure to stay hydrated out there as we get closer and closer to summer. Have a wonderful Thursday and rest of your week.

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Lion Links

Lion Links: 4/23/25

The Orlando Pride drop, OCSC Academy awards, USMNT characters, and more.

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1 day ago

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April 23, 2025

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Image courtesy of Orlando City B / Mark Thor

Welcome to Wednesday, Mane Landers. This weekend we have the most convenient schedule, with the Orlando Pride playing Friday night, Orlando City on Saturday night, and Orlando City B on Sunday night. It’s nice knowing what I’ll be doing each night. Now, I just need all three teams to get back on the winning side of things. Until then, let’s get to the links.

Bad Pride, Good Pride

It might have been the dumbest way to lose a match against the Washington Spirit, but — actually nevermind, there is no “but” about it. We can, however, decide to move forward rather than dwell on it after today. Unsurprisingly, the Pride dropped in the all-knowing power rankings. All for XI only dropped the Pride one spot to No. 2 since everyone has a bad day now and again. The CBS power ranking dropped the team to No. 3. That was the “bad.” The “good” is that we can revisit the puppies that showed up at Inter&Co Stadium. The loss still hurts, but it’s hard to stay mad after looking at the puppies.

The (OCSC) Academy Awards

Assuming you read Lion Links on Monday morning (or listened to The Mane Land PawedCast this week) you know that the Orlando City SC Academy U-18 team won the Generation Adidas Cup. Now we know that three of the very young Lions — Gustavo Caraballo, Jackson Platts, and Justin Ellis — were named to the U18 Best XI. Additionally, Caraballo and Ellis earned MVP and Top Scorer awards, respectively. It was truly the bright spot of an otherwise forgettable weekend.

Pochettino Prepares

The USMNT did not do well in the Concacaf Nations League, falling to Panama and then Canada in the third place match. Now, U.S. Head Coach Mauricio Pochettino has to prepare the team for the Gold Cup. Pochettino said that he needs the “right characters” on the squad, whether they are the most talented or not. He also spoke of the need for the players to fight for the badge and the flag. Former USMNT coach Bruce Arena said Pochettino may not be the right man for the job because he’s not an American. The USMNT’s next matches are friendlies against Turkiye and Switzerland on June 7 and June 10, respectively.

MLS Transfer News

The Columbus Crew are making moves. The club received $250,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM) from the Houston Dynamo in exchange for a 2025 international roster slot. The club then sent DeJuan Jones to the San Jose Earthquakes for $425,000 in GAM and a 2025 international roster slot. Elsewhere, Sporting Kansas City acquired forward Santiago Muñoz on loan from Liga MX side Santos Laguna.

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That will do it for today. Check back as we get you ready for the full slate of matches coming up.

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Lion Links

Lion Links: 4/22/25

Pedro Gallese earns recognition, Americans in midweek action, English promotion update, and more.

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2 days ago

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April 22, 2025

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Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

Well it wasn’t the worst weekend that Orlando soccer has ever had, but it certainly wasn’t the best either. Fortunately, all three of Orlando’s teams will be back in action soon, so there’s no need to dwell on the past too much. Let’s take a moment to wish a happy birthday to the Orlando Pride’s Brianna Martinez, as well as to Kaká! Now, it’s time to turn our attention to today’s links.

Pedro Gallese Earns Weekly Recognition

Pedro Gallese kept a third clean sheet in a row and Orlando City’s third clean sheet of the year in the team’s scoreless draw on the road against CF Montreal. In recognition of his efforts during the match, Gallese was named to the bench of the latest edition of the MLS Team of the Matchday. El Pulpo made six saves to blank a Montreal team that intently searched for a breakthrough, and made a couple of truly excellent second half stops that kept the score level. Congrats to Pedro and keep up the good work!

Americans in Midweek Action

A number of Americans will be playing games during the working week, and there are some big matches to keep an eye on. The main event is on Wednesday, when Christian Pulisic, Yunus Musah, and AC Milan face Inter Milan in the second leg of the Coppa Italia semifinal, which is tied 1-1 after the first leg. Also on Wednesday, Chris Richards, Matt Turner, and Crystal Palace will play Arsenal in the Premier League. Thursday then has Malik Tillman, Richy Ledezma, and PSV Eindhoven playing FC Twente in the Eredivisie, while Johnny Cardoso and Real Betis play Valladolid in La Liga action.

English Promotion Update

Following results in the EFL Championship on Monday, Leeds United and Burnley have both secured promotion to the Premier League for next season. Both teams won their respective games and are each on 94 points, and with just two matches left, third-placed Sheffield United has no way to catch them. The other promoted side will be determined after the promotion playoffs, which would feature Sheffield United, Sunderland, Bristol City, and Coventry City if the season ended today. Meanwhile in League One, Wrexham’s 2-1 victory over Blackpool meant the Dragons retook second place and the automatic promotion spot that comes with it. If they beat Charlton on Sunday and Wycombe Wanderers drop points against Leyton Orient, then Wrexham would secure promotion to the Championship.

Transfer Rumor Roundup

Transfer rumors continue to fly thick and fast as we approach the business end of most European seasons, so let’s take a look at a few items worth catching up on. Manchester United is said to be keen on signing 17-year-old Argentine Franco Mastantuono from River Plate. Liverpool is reportedly interested in signing winger Ademola Lookman from Atalanta, although the Reds would likely face competition from several other Premier League teams. Finally, Bayer Leverkusen CEO Fernando Carro has revealed that he and Xabi Alonso have a gentleman’s agreement that if a team the Spaniard used to play for is interested in hiring him as its coach, then the club will not hinder the process. The statement has led to renewed speculation that Alonso will be named Real Madrid coach if Carlo Ancelotti leaves in the summer.

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That’s all I have for you this morning. Vamos Orlando!

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