HARRISON, NJ â Sept. 25, 2015 â Orlando City SC (10-13-8, 38 points) turned in an entertaining five-goal performance at Red Bull Arena Friday night as the Lions secured a confident 5-2 victory over Eastern Conference leading New York Red Bulls (14-9-6, 48 points), marking Orlandoâs third consecutive win.
Forward Cyle Larin recorded his second hat-trick of the season to extend his tally to 14, breaking Damani Ralphâs single-season scoring record for a rookie (11), as playmaker KakĂĄ and winger Carlos Rivas also displayed impressive performances, notching two assists each.
The match featured a high-paced tempo from the opening whistle, but Orlando would stun the home crowd in the 24th minute when Larin broke the record - heading KakĂĄâs corner to the near-post into the back of the net.
New York equalized five minutes later from Central Florida product Dax McCartyâs diving header, but midfielder Carlos Rivas would make an immediate impact on the game after being brought on in the 33rd minute. He was subbed for Seb Hines, who suffered an injury.
Shortly after being introduced, Rivas propelled City to the lead once again, finding Larin for a clinical finish with a well-timed ball into the box one minute before halftime.
The Lionsâ strong play continued 37 seconds into the second 45 when another threatening cross from Rivas forced an own goal from New York center-back Damien Perrinelle as he was attempting to prevent it from reaching Larin.
Lloyd Sam revitalized hope for the Red Bulls when he brought his team within one in the 57th minute, however another efficient counter-attack from City saw Larin blast Rivasâ second assist of the game into the roof of the net just four minutes later.
Kaka, who was instrumental throughout the entire match for City, set up second half substitute Bryan RĂłchez for his third goal in as many games during a clever one-two play, capping off a complete performance for the Lions as they continue to chase the final playoff berth in the East.
âIt gives us an opportunity to stay in the race and thatâs what weâve wanted to do. Weâve had two difficult away games (Chicago and New York) and itâs been a magnificent effort from all of the players,â said Heath âIâm delighted for every single one of them and for our supporters who traveled here today. I expect us to get a fantastic crowd next Saturday against Montreal, and we hope to try to keep it alive again for another week.â
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First Half:
11â The Red Bulls pressed forward early in the first half, but Orlandoâs defense remained compact as they sustained New Yorkâs early pressure.
13â After recovering the ball deep in Cityâs half, midfielder Darwin CerĂŠn clipped it over the top to Brek Shea, releasing the winger in behind. Shea attempted a volley from distance but hit it wide of the target.
17â The Red Bulls were awarded a dangerous free-kick on the edge of the area, but Tally Hall made a comfortable save on Bradley Wright-Phillipsâ low strike.
24â Orlando City stunned the home crowd when Cyle Larin broke the single-season scoring record for a rookie (12), nodding KakĂĄâs corner to the near-post over Luis Robles and into the back of the net.
29â The Red Bulls equalized five minutes later from a free-kick when Matt Miazga headed the ball back across the six to Central Florida product Dax McCarty for a diving header. City also lost a key player on the play when Seb Hines was brought off after suffering an injury during the goal.
33â As a result, Heath was forced to make his first change of the night, introducing Carlos Rivas after moving Luke Boden to center-back and sliding Shea into left-back.
40â Larin drove deep into New Yorkâs half after running onto Ramosâ ball and found KakĂĄ with a square pass across the area. The Brazilian quickly cut to his left and fired a strong shot that went just wide of the far post.
44â The Lions regained the lead on an efficient counter-attack when Rivas broke free in behind and played a precise ball into the box to Larin, who took a touch before burying it into the back of the net.
45â The action continued moments before the halftime whistle when McCarty and Wright-Phillips both had headers that rattled off the woodwork.
45 (+4) The referee signaled for halftime, with the Lions holding the advantage at the break.
Second Half:
46â Orlando City opened the second half with a fantastic start when Rivasâ ball into the box forced an own goal from Damien Perrinelle as he was attempting to prevent it from reaching Larin.
57â Lloyd Sam reduced the Red Bullsâ deficit near the midway point in the second half when he tucked away Veronâs driven cross into the box.
61â With the Red Bulls pushing numbers forward, the Lions were able to capitalize on another counter-attack when Larin secured his second hat-trick and 14th goal this season, finishing Rivasâ second assist of the game.
65â Heath made his second change of the game, bringing on Swiss midfielder Adrian Winter for Neal.
73â KakĂĄ continued to remain aggressive on the attacking end, cutting inside the box and firing with his left foot, hitting it just wide.
76â Heathâs final substitution saw Bryan RĂłchez come on for Larin, capping off another impressive performance for the Canadian in his rookie season.
77â Matters became worse for New York when they were reduced to 10 men when Matt Miazga received a second yellow for obstructing RĂłchez who was running at goal.
81â Orlando worked the ball down field with solid possession play, leading to a chance for Rivas from the edge of the box, but Robles managed to hold on to it.
85â KakĂĄ nearly produced an acrobatic finish when he volleyed Winterâs floated ball into the box, barely missing the target as he stunned Robles who was left standing still.
90 (+3) KakĂĄ and RĂłchezâs clever one-two sealed the deal in the final minute of the game, as the Honduran forward scored his third goal in as many matches, securing a 5-2 victory for the Lions.
Scoring Summary:
ORL: Cyle Larin (Kaka) 24â
NY: Dax McCarty (Matt Miazga ) 29â
ORL: Cyle Larin (Carlos Rivas) 44â
ORL: Damien Perrinelle (Own Goal) 46â
NY: Lloyd Sam (Gonzalo Veron) 57â
ORL: Cyle Larin (Carlos Rivas) 61â
ORL: Bryan RĂłchez (Kaka) 93â
Misconduct Summary:
NY: Matt Miazga (Yellow Card) 15â
ORL: Cristian Higuita (Yellow Card) 28â
ORL: Kaka (Yellow Card) 51â
ORL: Tally Hall (Yellow Card) 56â
NY: Ronald Zubar (Yellow Card) 64â
NY: Matt Miazga (Second Yellow Card) 77â
Lineups/Substitutions:
Orlando City SC - GK Tally Hall, D Rafael Ramos, Seb Hines (Carlos Rivas 33â), AurĂŠlien Collin, Luke Boden, M Lewis Neal (Adrian Winter 65â), Cristian Higuita, Darwin CerĂŠn, Brek Shea, KakĂĄ, F Cyle Larin (Bryan RĂłchez 76â)
Unused Subs: GK Earl Edwards Jr., M Eric Avila, Servando Carrasco
New York Red Bulls - GK Luis Robles, D Connor Lade, Matt Miazga, Damien Perrinelle (Shaun Wright-Phillips 69â), Kemar Lawrence, M Dax McCarty, Felipe (Gonzalo Veron 53â), Lloyd Sam, Sacha Klejstan, Mike Grella (Anatole Bertrand Abang 79â), F Bradley Wright-Phillips
Unused Subs: GK Kyle Reynish, D Ronald Zubar, M Sal Zizzo, Sean Davis
Match Facts:
Time of Match: 7 p.m. ET
Weather: Clear
September 25, 2015
Attendance: 20,695
Stats:
Shots:
ORL: 16
NY: 15
Corners:
ORL: 2
NY: 9
Offside:
ORL: 8
NY: 5
Fouls:
ORL: 11
NY: 12
Saves:
ORL: 1
NY: 3
The Lions will return to the Orlando Citrus Bowl on Saturday, October 3, to host the Montreal Impact. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET.