VIDEO: Orlando City’s Slide Continues, Lions Suffer First Home Loss Of Season To NYCFC
By Orlando City Soccer Club // May 22, 2017
Lions return home May 31 Against D.C. United
ABOVE VIDEO: Orlando City SC (6-4-2, 20 points) saw its six-game home-unbeaten streak come to an end with a 3-0 loss to New York City FC (6-4-2, 20 points) Sunday night.
ORLANDO, FLORIDA (ORLANDO CITY SC) – Orlando City SC (6-4-2, 20 points) saw its six-game home-unbeaten streak come to an end with a 3-0 loss to New York City FC (6-4-2, 20 points) Sunday night.
“Obviously grave, grave disappointment to lose our first game in front of our home fans. I thought the fans were excellent again tonight. The atmosphere in the crowd was terrific, the atmosphere in the stadium was terrific,” Lions Head Coach Jason Kreis said.
“After every single win we talked about the improvements we need to make and so after the loss we stay the same. We’re not going to go into a shell or believe we’re the worst team in the league or that we’re in some very, very bad spot.”
“We still need to improve. We still need to work hard every week. And we need to do our best to prepare ourselves for next week’s game.”
City finishes the season series with six of nine possible points against NYCFC.
Léo Pereira, who was the first player moved between Orlando City and official partner Clube Atlético Paranaense, made his second consecutive start.
Center back Jonathan Spector returned to the lineup, as did left back Donny Toia. Scott Sutter rounded out the back line in front of Joe Bendik. Antonio Nocerino, Cristian Higuita, Will Johnson and Kaká manned the midfield with Cyle Larin and Carlos Rivas up top.
NYCFC broke through first when David Villa scored from the penalty spot in the 14th minute. It was the Lions’ first penalty kick goal allowed this season. Rodney Wallace scored in the 35th minute before Villa tallied again in the 82nd.
Rivas put in a hard-working shift in his ninth start of the season. The Colombian raced down long ball after long ball, hounded NYCFC defenders and curled some nice balls into the box.
The Designated Player finished with four shots.
“Carlos again worked really, really hard,” Kreis continued.
“Tireless effort by Carlos. I thought he worked extremely hard to pressure defenders. All in all, it’s difficult to be pleased with somebody’s performance but I thought Carlos gave us everything that he could.”
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The match saw Larin attempt his first career penalty kick, which he rang off the corner of the post in the 64th minute.
City will visit 2017 expansion side Minnesota United FC on Saturday, May 27.
Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. ET at TCF Bank Stadium.
The Lions return to Orlando City Stadium on Wednesday, May 31, when they host D.C. United. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET.
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