Orlando Goals:
NYCFC Goals: Villa 13mins & 83mins, Wallace 34mins
A Quick Look…
New York City FC signed off on their week-long road trip and celebrated their fourth birthday in style with an emphatic first win over Orlando City in six attempts. David Villa scored his 48th and 49th NYCFC goals at either end of the 90' and on either side of Rodney Wallace's strike before the break. That leaves Patrick Vieira's side with a record of 6-4-2 through 12 games.
What Happened…
NYCFC finally snapped their winless road run in Florida, bouncing back from defeat to Real Salt Lake with a 3-0 victory over Orlando City SC.
On the fourth anniversary of the club's Founding Day, NYCFC were handed a chance to score their first-ever goal at Orlando City Stadium when Kaka was adjudged to have handled a Rodney Wallace cross.
Villa assumed responsibilities for the spot-kick and slotted it clinically beyond Joe Bendik’s despairing dive on 13’.
How @Guaje7Villa scored #NYCFC's first-ever goal at @OrlandoCitySC Stadium... pic.twitter.com/Ue8u4lkiMo
— New York City FC (@NYCFC) May 21, 2017
It’s fair to say that the decision wasn’t well-received by The Purple Wall behind the goal as The Lions faithful felt as though it was a harsh call.
Still, Vieira’s men were good value for that early lead after a bright start from the attacking quartet of Villa, Harrison, Moralez and Wallace.
The boys in blue kept their collective foot on the throttle and extended their lead on 34’ thanks to a team goal of the highest quality.
Ethan White overlapped Harrison on the right and delivered a pinpoint cross to the back post where Wallace was waiting to slide in NYCFC’s second of the night and his fourth goal for the club.
@rodwallace22@EthanWhite15 Doubling up! @rodwallace22 slides in at the back post to score his fourth goal for #NYCFC... pic.twitter.com/MFtIzOlBJS
— New York City FC (@NYCFC) May 21, 2017
It was all going to plan for the away team when the halftime whistle sounded with the only negative from the 45’ a game-ending injury to White immediately after his brilliant assist.
RJ Allen came on in his stead and his team kept up their momentum on the other side of the break, almost making it a three-goal lead through Moralez but Bendik came up big with a clawing save to his bottom corner.
Close! @mmoralezoficial almost makes it 3-0 as #NYCFC keep up the momentum after halftime... pic.twitter.com/pNKP4XUPLo
— New York City FC (@NYCFC) May 22, 2017
The hosts had a chance to halve the deficit through their old scourge of NYCFC in Cyle Larin but the Canadian missed a golden opportunity to net an 11th goal against the boys in blue as he struck the post with his penalty on the hour.
Ben Sweat had been penalized for fouling Scott Sutter but the metalwork came to his rescue in a rare reprieve from Orlando’s normally ruthless no.9.
Villa punished Orlando's profligacy with a typically devastating second goal to put the cap on what felt like a statement victory, rounding Bendik and slamming home after being played through by a stunning scooped through ball from Moralez.
A perfect birthday.
Key Moment…
The penalty incident shaped the first half in NYCFC’s favor as Kaka was found guilty of handballing inside the box.
Judging by the replays, it may have been a slightly harsh award but Vieira’s side will feel they’ve been due a little fortune against The Lions after a rotten recent run against them.
Villa was never going to pass up the stroke, netting decisively for his 48th goal for the club.
Man of the Match…
Maxime Chanot
One of the unsung heroes of NYCFC’s impressive start to the season, the Luxembourg international defender had one of the toughest tasks of anyone going into this showdown: To keep Cyle Larin quiet.
He did just that, continuing his excellent partnership with Alexander Callens in the back four to keep the Canadian at bay.
On this season’s form, there are few better central defenders in the league…
Social Post of the Game…
Stats and Milestones…
- Mikey Lopez started his first game of 2017
- This was NYCFC’s second visit to the Orlando City Stadium
- David Villa scored NYCFC’s first-ever goal at Orlando City Stadium.
- David scored his seventh and eighth goals of the season and his 48th and 49th for NYCFC.
- NYCFC are now 6-4-2 for the 2017 season through 12 games
How They Lined Up…
Mikey Lopez started his first game of 2017 at Orlando City Stadium.
The Texan midfielder came into an NYCFC XI which showed six changes from the team which lost 2-1 to Real Salt Lake on Wednesday night.
Elsewhere, Ben Sweat, Maxime Chanot, Jack Harrison, Rodney Wallace and David Villa all came back in at the expense of RJ Allen, Frederic Brillant, Andrea Pirlo Miguel Camargo and Sean Okoli.
What’s Next…
NYCFC are back on the road on Sunday May 28 when we travel to Atlanta United for the first time for a 5pm kickoff.
