BRONX, N.Y. (March 8, 2025) – Orlando City SC (1-2-0, 3 points) fell to New York City FC (1-1-1, 4 points) at Yankee Stadium on Saturday evening via a 2-1 scoreline. City created a plethora of chances throughout the match and provided offensive pressure in the second half after NYCFC went down to 10 players but just couldn't find the breakthrough to level the match or take the lead.
Designated Player Luis Muriel scored the lone goal for Orlando on the night, providing his first goal of the 2025 campaign. Fellow Designated Player Marco Pašalić provided the helper on the Muriel finish, which counted as his first assist of the season and his third goal contribution of the year, which leads the Lions so far this season.
City will return to New York next weekend for a rematch of 2024’s Eastern Conference Finals on Saturday, March 15, at Sports Illustrated Stadium, with the match set to air on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV at 2:30 p.m. ET.
Scoring Summary:
59’ Alonso Martínez – NYC 1, ORL 0
The hosts opened up the scoring 15 minutes into the second half when Maximiliano Moralez took a shot that crossed in front of goalkeeper Pedro Gallese and bounced off the left post and back across the face of goal. Alonso Martínez made the run in behind for NYC and was able to beat everyone to the ball for the tap in to open the scoring on the night.
69’ Luis Muriel (Marco Pašalić) – ORL 1, NYC 1
The Lions were able to level things up on the counterattack as Marco Pašalić took a touch to break past his defender and into space down the middle of the field. He slid the ball out right to Luis Muriel, who took a touch in the box and sent a low shot to the far post to equalize.
71’ Hannes Wolf (Julián Fernández) – NYC 2, ORL 1
The hosts took their advantage back just two minutes later as Julián Fernández sent a cross from the right side of the Orlando box to the middle after goalkeeper Pedro Gallese made a stop on the initial attempt. Hannes Wolf rose up in the middle of the box to head it home for New York City FC.
Head Coach Oscar Pareja:
“Our feelings are strong on the way that we gave up the goals and I think that changed the story of the game. It was a game that was well played by Orlando, and I thought we had very good chances and the way we neutralized [New York City FC’s] forwards and the way they attack; it was very correct. I thought the discipline for the boys was very similar to what we planned to do during the week. From any stance, we were the team that, especially in that first half, had the clear possibilities, but definitely our pain right now is how we conceded those goals. That is what brings this feeling of frustration. Again, we have a bunch of things that we will do during the week in the buildup for the next game and see the way we can bounce back in the next game.”
Match Notes
- Luis Muriel recorded his first goal of the 2025 season and sixth all-time across all competitions.
- Marco Pašalić tallied his first career MLS assist on the Muriel finish. He has now contributed to three City goals so far this season with two goals and one assist, which leads the team.
- Saturday’s match between the Lions and the Pigeons marked 10 years to the day since the two played each side’s first MLS match on March 8, 2015, at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla.
- Orlando City B midfielder Gustavo Caraballo made his second appearance for the Orlando City First Team, entering as a second-half substitute.
- Head Coach Oscar Pareja made two changes to the Starting XI after his side’s last match against Toronto FC, with Luis Muriel and Robin Jansson returning to the lineup.
