NEW YORK (June 2, 2018) – In the first match of a four-game road trip, Orlando City SC (6-6-1, 19 points) fell 3-0 to New York City FC (8-3-3, 27 points) on Saturday at Yankee Stadium.
“Goals make the difference. Right now it’s about those decisive moments, allowing the goals, not taking our chances. It’s building up against the guys and it’s really tough on everybody,” Lions head coach Jason Kreis said. “We have to shift gears. We have to continue to move forward, focus on the very next game, which is the Miami [United FC] game. We must get things handled right and get ready for the next game.”
City’s back line featured three new faces from last week, as Donny Toia made his 2018 debut and RJ Allen and Will Johnson lined up alongside Tony Rocha. Uri Rosell and Cristian Higuita were in the holding midfield, while Justin Meram, Sacha Kljestan, Chris Mueller and Josué Colmán roamed up top. Goalkeeper Joe Bendik set a Club record with his 80th start as a Lion.
NYC opened the scoring in the 35th minute when Ismael Tajouri-Shradi cut inside and curled a left-footed shot.
The Lions had a chance to equalize three minutes into the second half, but Kljestan’s penalty kick attempt hit the post. It was one of three shots off the woodwork for City, as Colmán hit the frame in the 30th and 74th minutes.
Ismael-Tajouri scored again in the 79th minute and Maxi Morález made it 3-0 in the 87th.
City begins its 2018 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup run in the fourth round against Miami United FC on Wednesday, June 6. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET at Ted Hendricks Stadium. The Lions return to MLS action on Saturday, June 9 when they visit Vancouver Whitecaps FC before finishing the four-game road trip the following Wednesday in Montreal. The Lions return to Orlando City Stadium on June 23 against Montreal.
Tickets to all City home matches are available at OrlandoCitySC.com or by calling 855-ORL-CITY.
Match Notes
- GK Joe Bendik became the first Lion to start 80 MLS matches for City. Bendik also became the third Lion to make 80 MLS appearances (Cyle Larin, Cristian Higuita) for City. Bendik is the only Lion to play every minute in 2018.
- D Donny Toia started and made his first appearance of 2018.
- M Tony Rocha made his second consecutive start at center back. He played alongside D RJ Allen, who started at center back for the first time this season.
- M Jose Villarreal made his Club debut when he came on for M Cristian Higuita in the 81st minute.
- M Josué Colmán played his first 90-minute match as a Lion.
Teams
Scoring Summary:
NYC - Ismael Tajouri-Shradi (Anton Tinnerholm, Maxi Morález) 35’
NYC - Ismael Tajouri-Shradi 79’
NYC - Maxi Morález 87’
Misconduct Summary:
NYC - Maxi Morález (Yellow Card) 77’
ORL - Uri Rosell (Yellow Card) 78’
ORL - Will Johnson (Yellow Card) 86’
Lineups/Substitutions:
New York City FC - GK Sean Johnson, D Alex Callens, Alex Ring, Sebastien Ibeagha, M Thomas McNamara (Ben Sweat 46’), Ebenezer Ofori, Ismael Tajouri-Shradi (Jonathan Lewis 81’), Anton Tinnerholm, ⓒ Maxi Morález, F Jesus Medina, Jo Inge Berget (David Villa 65’)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Brad Stuver, D Maxime Chanot, Cedric Hountondji, F Kwame Awuah
Orlando City SC - GK Joe Bendik, D Donny Toia (Mohamed El-Munir 61’), Tony Rocha, RJ Allen, Will Johnson, M Cristian Higuita (Jose Villarreal 81’), Uri Rosell, Justin Meram, ⓒ Sacha Kljestan, Chris Mueller (Stéfano Pinho 68’), F Josué Colmán
Substitutes Not Used: GK Earl Edwards, Jr., D PC, M Dillon Powers, Richie Laryea
Details of the Game:
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Weather: Overcast
Date: June 2, 2018
Attendance: 22,103
Stats:
Possession:
NYC - 48.4 %
ORL - 51.6 %
Shots:
NYC - 16
ORL - 11
Saves:
NYC - 2
ORL - 2
Fouls:
NYC - 17
ORL - 11
Corners:
NYC - 4
ORL - 5
