ORLANDO â March 8, 2015 â In its first-ever Major League Soccer (MLS) match, Orlando City drew fellow expansion side New York City FC (NYCFC) to a 1-1 tie in a historic night for the City of Orlando before a sellout crowd of 62,510 fans at the Orlando Citrus Bowl.
The attendance is the largest ever for a soccer game at the Orlando Citrus Bowl, surpassing previous crowds even during the 1994 FIFA World Cup. Todayâs audience also is the second highest for an inaugural MLS match.
Despite Orlando controlling much of the possession throughout the fixture, NYCFCâs Mix Diskerud found the back of the net in the 75th minute. However, at the start of stoppage time, KakĂĄ salvaged the tie Orlando City â scoring on a free-kick from 25 yards out.
Coach Adrian Heath:
âObviously Iâm not completely delighted with the final score because I think we played a good game. Iâm extremely proud with everyone. The staff, the players and our supporters. It was absolutely incredible. Something Iâll remember forever.
On Kakaâs goal:
Didnât want to end the day on a sour note. Whether we one, lost or draw today, I think both coaches would say we are a long way from where we want to be today. 20 some players to bring and get them in a good place. We did good in the first half and were a bit disjointed in the second, but overall a good day,.â
Kaka:
On thoughts of first MLS game:
âVery happy about the game. For sure, the result was not what we wanted for the first game. But everything tonight was incredible, so for the results it was OK. We have a lot to improve, but thank you for everyone who participated in this moment for us.â
On how the team played:
âI think itâs a little difficult to say. This was obviously very different. It was a different environment and crowd. But we are in a good place and have a lot to work on.â
On his goal:
âI was very happy when I saw it go in. Felt good. I obviously wanted to make the first goal of the MLS season opener for us, but it was a good moment.â
First Half:
1â KakĂĄ whipped a ball into the box, finding Seb Hinesâ header which went just wide of the target
8â NYCFC striker Adam Nemec was played in behind the City defense from a crafty ball. His header went just wide of the target.
11â City defender Rafael Ramos surged down the right-hand side and clipped a ball to Kaka, who rolled his shot just within inches of the far post.
13â Shortly afterward, the sell-out crowd erupted when Lewis Nealâs curling free-kick was tucked away by Seb Hines after a collision in the box. Unfortunately, the referee signaled for a foul on New York City goalkeeper Josh Saunders.
25â Midway through the first half, Orlando City continued to pressure the NYCFC backline, as Carlos Rivas combined with Rafael Ramos for a powerful effort that forced Saunders to push it wide for a corner.
37â The KakĂĄ / Molino effect kicked in at 37th minute when the Trinidadian set up the Brazilian for a strong shot from 20 yards away, forcing Saunders to push it wide.
45â Despite Orlandoâs relentless attack, the opening 45 finished at a 0-0 score-line with Orlando having the edge on shots (6-3).
Second Half:
47â To open the second half, Molino provided the best chance of the game, curling an effort toward the far corner that seemed destined for the back of the net if not for a fingertip save by Saunders.
47â On the following corner-kick, KakĂĄ found midfielder Amobi Okugo, whose powerful header was cleared off the line by the NYCFC defense.
60â Orlando came close to scoring again in the 60th minute when Rivas blasted a free-kick that went within inches of the post.
67â New York came close to moving ahead seven minutes later when rookie Khiry Shelton ran on to David Villaâs through-ball. The young strikerâs final effort skipped just past the far post.
74â Less than ten minutes later, Shelton broke through once again but Brek Shea utilized his pace to come across and deflect his effort wide for a corner.
75â During the subsequent corner-kick, Villa found Mix Diskerud on the edge of the area, and the midfielder was able to curl his strike past City goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts.
83â The upward climb became even more difficult for the Lions when AurĂŠlien Collin was sent off for a reckless challenge on David Villa with seven minutes remaining in the match.
90â The Lions continued to battle for an equalizer, which eventually came in the waning moments of the match. With the game into stoppage time, KakĂĄâs free-kick from the edge of the area deflected off the wall, bouncing into the back of the net as Saunders went in the opposite direction.
Scoring Summary:
NYC â Mix Diskerud (David Villa) 75â
ORL â Kaka (Unassisted) 90â
Lineups/Substitutions:
Orlando City SC â GK Donovan Ricketts, D Rafael Ramos, AurĂŠlien Collin, Seb Hines, Brek Shea, M Kevin Molino, Cristian Higuita, KakĂĄ, Amobi Okugo, Lewis Neal (Bryan RĂłchez 80â), F Carlos Rivas (Sean St. Ledger 90â)
New York City FC â GK Josh Saunders, D Josh Williams, Jason Hernandez, Chris Wingert, Jeb Brovsky, M Mehdi Ballouchy (Khiry Shelton 61â), Mix Diskerud (Sebastian Velasquez 87â), David Villa, Ned Grabavoy, Andrew Jacobson, F Adam Nemec (Javier Calle 89â)
Match Facts:
Time of Match: 5:00 p.m. EST
Weather: -- Clear
March 8, 2015
Attendance: 62,510
Disciplinary Summary:
ORL â Brek Shea (Caution) 28â
ORL â Kevin Molino (Caution) 40â
NYC â Mehdi Ballouchy (Caution) 41â
NYC â Jason Hernandez (Caution) 53â
ORL â Jeb Brovksy (Caution) 60â
ORL â Crisitan Higuita (Caution) 77â
ORL â AurĂŠlien Collin (Red Card) 83â
Statistics
Shots:
ORL â 15
NYC â 8
Fouls:
ORL â 14
NYC â 17
Offside:
ORL â 6
NYC â 1
Corners:
ORL â 6
NYC â 1
Orlando City faces the Houston Dynamo away on Friday, March 13. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. ET. Orlandoâs next home game is against Vancouver Whitecaps FC at the Orlando Citrus Bowl on March 21 at 7:30 p.m. ET.