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Orlando City holds firm for win over NYCFC after early Cyle Larin goal

Photo by Brad Penner/USA TODAY Sports
Photo by Brad Penner/USA TODAY Sports

Despite having just a year of history against one another, New York City FC and Orlando City had provided plenty of late drama in their series of clashes. Friday’s clash at Yankee Stadium was instead decided on one of the game’s earliest moments.

A Cyle Larin goal just seven minutes into Friday’s game proved to be just enough for Orlando City, which rode a stout defensive performance to a 1-0 victory over NYCFC on Friday night at Yankee Stadium. The win was the Lions’ first of the season after previously settling for a pair of draws in their first two contests.

Just minutes into the game, Orlando City opened the scoring with Larin scoring his third in as many games. Driving in from the right, Rafael Ramos’ cross skidded off of the fingertips of goalkeeper Josh Saunders and straight off the unsuspecting Larin.

Orlando City proved content to defend for extended periods of time, but nearly added a second finish in the 32nd minute when a shot was cleared off of the line by a leaping Andoni Iraola.

Despite maintaining 61 percent possession in the opening half, NYCFC struggled to muster many clean looks. There were a series of well-worked corner plays, but the hosts were mainly held to shots from outside the box that failed to truly test goalkeeper Joe Bendik.

NYCFC emerged for the second half with the better of the ball once again, but its best look was parried away by Bendik. Played in by David Villa, Mix Diskerud found himself alone on goal, but saw his low shot saved well by Benidk.

It wasn’t Bendik who toppled NYCFC in the 73rd minute, as Steven Mendoza’s shot caromed off the right post and out. It proved to be NYCFC’s last real chance, and the hosts settled for their first defeat of the season.

Now on four points through three games, NYCFC returns to action on March 26 against the New England Revolution. Orlando City, meanwhile, looks to build on its current three-game unbeaten run in a clash with the Portland Timbers on April 3.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Facing an NYCFC team that kept a bulk of possession, Orlando City midfielder Cristian Higuita proved to be a destroyer in the center of the field. The Colombian frustrated NYCFC’s attack all night, recording numerous tackles in the center of the park to thwart the hosts’ pressure.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Charging in on goal, Mix Diskerud rocketed his shot straight at goalkeeper Joe Bendik, squandering NYCFC’s bestt chance of the evening.

MATCH TO FORGET

Although he had been strong through the first two games, Khiry Shelton did not come up with his best on Friday night. The NYCFC winger misplaced several key passes down the right hand side before being taken off at halftime by Patrick Vieira.

Comments

  1. Mix Diskerud is not ready to be an attacking or central midfielder for the USMNT. He squandered too many good clear chances in this game against a mare Bendik.

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