NYCFC – 2
Orlando City SC – 2
Match recap …
Frederick Brillant and David Villa scored a goal in each half, but New York City FC were forced to settle for a 2-2 draw when Kevin Molino struck deep into second-half stoppage time for Orlando City SC in front of 25,039 fans Sunday afternoon at Yankee Stadium.
Brillant scored his first Major League Soccer goal three minutes from halftime to send NYCFC into the break with a 1-0 lead. RJ Allen latched onto a deep Andrea Pirlo corner and played a terrific ball back towards the far post where Brillant leapt up and headed it home.
Please enable Javascript to watch this video
Villa doubled NYCFC’s lead in the 66th minute when he took a ball from Pirlo off his chest and then lobbed it past Orlando City goalkeeper Joe Bendik from 17 yards for his league-leading ninth goal of the season.
Four minutes later Villa had a chance for a brace from the penalty spot after referee Jorge Gonzalez ruled Lions defender Seb Hines handled inside the box. But Villa failed to convert a penalty kick for just the second time in 11 tries.
Orlando City pulled within a goal in the 72nd minute when Julio Baptista received a ball from Molino and put a low deflected shot inside the near post.
PHOTOS: New York City FC vs. Orlando City SC
Molino netted the late equalizer when he received a headed ball from Cyle Larin and put a side volley into the net.
Allen also nearly set up Villa in the 28th minute with a sublime through ball behind the Orlando City defense. Villa raced in on goal, but fired it wide from 16 yards with his left on his second touch.
Josh Saunders was tested early, but came up with a spectacular save to rob Larin in the seventh minute. Adrian Winter crossed to the Canadian forward and Larin put his downward header on frame. But Saunders leapt and pushed the attempt wide for a corner kick.
Photo of the Match ...
How they lined up …
Patrick Vieira made three changes to his starting XI from the loss to the New York Red Bulls last Saturday. Ethan White started at right back, while RJ Allen moved over to the left with Ronald Matarrita having joined Costa Rica ahead of the Copa America Centenario. Andoni Iraola replaced Federico Bravo at defensive midfield, while Mix Diskerud started in place of Mikey Lopez, who served a one-game suspension for yellow card accumulation.
Frank Lampard made his second consecutive appearance of the season, replacing Tommy McNamara in the 77th minute. Five minutes from full time, Steven Mendoza came on for Mix Diskerud.
Key moment …
Brilliant’s first MLS goal proved to be a massive one for NYCFC, which took the lead just before the break when the French defender leapt up at the back post to head in a terrific RJ Allen cross.
Man of the Match …
David Villa
The NYCFC captain scored his ninth goal of the season in the 66th minute when he chested down a brilliant ball from Andrea Pirlo and lofted a stunning shot into the net from 17 yards out. Villa, who missed just his second penalty kick in 11 attempts, had a quality chance in the first half when he was played behind the Orlando City defense by RJ Allen, but his left-footed shot was just wide of the far post.
Stats and milestones …
Frederick Brillant scored his first MLS goal in the 42nd minute.
David Villa scored his league-leading ninth goal of the season in the 66th minute.
What it means …
NYCFC moved within one point of the New York Red Bulls and Montreal Impact, level on 19 points, and two points from Eastern Conference leaders Philadelphia. NYCFC plays its final game before the Copa America Centenario break when they host Real Salt Lake Thursday at 7 p.m.
Tweet of the Match...
