NEW YORK (March 17, 2018) ā In its first road match of the season, Orlando City SC (0-2-1, 1 point) lost 2-0 to New York City FC (3-0-0, 9 points) on Saturday at Yankee Stadium. Sacha Kljestan, Lamine SanĆ© and JosuĆ© ColmĆ”n made their Orlando City debuts.
āI really felt like we were doing well up until we gave them the goal. Unfortunately for me I think thatās three matches where I just feel like weāre giving things away,ā Lions head coach Jason Kreis said. āWe correct those small errors, I still think weāre going to be okay.ā
Orlando City featured a starting XI with RJ Allen, who was acquired from NYCFC in December, and Cristian Higuita for the first time in 2018. Kljestan took the captainās armband when Jonathan Spector left the match at halftime.
A closely contested match was opened up with an opportunistic goal from Ismael Tajouri in the 62nd minute. Maxi Moralez extended the lead 12 minutes later.
ColmƔn sparked some offense when he entered the match and Will Johnson drilled a late shot off the bar.
The Lions return to action on Saturday, March 31, when they host the New York Red Bulls at 1 p.m. ET at Orlando City Stadium.
Tickets to all City home matches are available at OrlandoCitySC.com or by calling 855-ORL-CITY.
Match Notes
- M Sacha Kljestan made his Club debut. Kljestan took the captainās armband when
- D Jonathan Spector exited the match at halftime.
- D RJ Allen made his first Start as a Lion and did so against his former club of three years. Allen became the first player to play on both sides in the 2015 Expansion Rivalry.
- M JosuƩ ColmƔn made his Orlando City and MLS debut when he replaced D RJ Allen in the 76th minute.
- M Cristian Higuita made his 2018 debut and his first appearance since Sept. 9, 2017. He was replaced in the 67th minute by M Richie Laryea.
- With his 70th Start, GK Joe Bendik passed M KakĆ” for second-most Games Started in Club history. Bendik has started 70 of Cityās last 71 MLS games dating back to 2016.
- D Lamine SanƩ made his Orlando City and MLS debut when he came on in place of D Jonathan Spector to start the second half.
- M Jose Villarreal was included in Cityās 18-man gameday roster for the first time.
Scoring Summary:
NYC - Ismael Tajouri 62ā
NYC - Maxi Moralez (JesĆŗs Medina, Saad Abdul-Salaam) 74ā
Misconduct Summary:
ORL - Cristian Higuita (Yellow Card) 27ā
NYC - Rodney Wallace (Yellow Card) 28ā
NYC - Alex Ring (Yellow Card) 54ā
NYC - Thomas McNamara (Yellow Card) 83ā
ORL - Richie Laryea (Yellow Card) 90ā
Lineups/Substitutions:
New York City FC - GK Sean Johnson, D Ben Sweat, Alex Callens, ā Maxime Chanot, Saad Abdul-Salaam, M Yangel Herrera, Alex Ring, JesĆŗs Medina, Maxi Moralez (Kwame Awuah 88ā), Rodney Wallace, F Ismael Tajouri (Ronald Matarrita 66ā, Thomas McNamara 72ā)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Brad Stuver, D Sebastian Ibeagha, M Ebenezer Ofori, F Jonathan Lewis
Orlando City SC - GK Joe Bendik, D Mohamed El-Munir, Amro Tarek, ā Jonathan Spector (Lamine SanĆ© 46ā), RJ Allen (JosuĆ© ColmĆ”n 76ā), M Cristian Higuita (Richie Laryea 67ā), Yoshimar YotĆŗn, Will Johnson, Sacha Kljestan, F Justin Meram, Chris Mueller
Substitutes Not Used: GK Earl Edwards, Jr., D Scott Sutter, M Cam Lindley, Jose Villarreal
Details of the Game:
Time: 4:08 p.m. ET
Weather: Clear
Date: March 17, 2018
Attendance: 18,584
Stats:
Possession:
NYC - 59.2 %
ORL - 40.8 %
Shots:
NYC - 10
ORL - 11
Saves:
NYC - 3
ORL - 0
Fouls:
NYC - 11
ORL - 13
Corners:
NYC - 3
ORL - 7