New York City FC made it three draws in eight days to end their four-game road stretch after playing to a 1-1 tie with a white-hot Orlando City at the Inter&Co Stadium on Saturday night.
NYCFC returned key starters such as Thiago Martins and Santi Rodríguez but still lacked the intensity and offensive threat for most of the match, especially during the first half. Orlando scored early in the second half through striker Ramiro Enrique, who found the back of the net for the fourth straight game.
But New York City did not trail for long. Five minutes later, Hannes Wolf scored his fifth goal of the season to level the score. Orlando pushed for the game-winner in the final 20 minutes but could not take all three points, with Matt Freese making several impressive saves.
With this draw, NYCFC remain in fifth place in the Eastern Conference, one point ahead of a Charlotte FC that drew Austin FC 2-2 on the road and three points behind a New York Red Bulls that beat FC Cincinnati 3-1 at home.
New York City: 8 shots, 3 shots on target, 47.3% possession, 384 passes, 84.9% pass accuracy, 18 fouls, 4 saves
Orlando City: 12 shots, 5 shots on target, 52.7% possession, 430 passes, 83.5% pass accuracy, 11 fouls, 2 saves
Goals:
• Orlando City, Ramiro Enrique, 53'
• New York City, Hannes Wolf, 57'
Attendance: 22,827
First-half stalemate
New York City had their work cut out for defending an Orlando team on a four-game winning streak, scoring 13 goals in that run. Thiago Martins returned to the starting lineup, slotting alongside Birk Risa and Justin Haak in a back-three formation.
Chrisitan McFarlane made his third consecutive MLS start and again showed his potential, linking up nicely with his teammates. Still, NYCFC only mustered two shots in the first half while limiting Orlando to four shots with only one on target.
The defensive credit has to be mostly given to Thiago Martins and Risa. Thiago Martins had a solid game, making seven clearances, two interceptions, and five recoveries. Risa had three clearances, one interception, three recoveries, and won a ground duel and aerial duel.
Haak also had five recoveries as well as three clearances and two interceptions. The 22-year-old made his second straight start and has been primarily used as a utility player, playing either midfielder or center back.
Going into halftime with Orlando scoreless was exactly what New York City wanted, setting them up for an important but pragmatic point on the road.
Oliver Strand
NYCFC concedes, responds
Despite NYCFC's defensive efforts in the first half, Orlando broke through early in the second. Enrique scored his fourth goal in the last four matches via a deflection that threw Freese and the New York City backline off guard.
They're dancing in Orlando! 🕺
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 21, 2024
Ramiro Enrique gets the slightest of touches to score in now four consecutive games.
📺 #MLSSeasonPass: https://t.co/b6xHMVxGIU pic.twitter.com/vXbokiBMyr
It looked like NYCFC were set to lose another road game and let Orlando run away with the win, but an Orlando turnover led to the game-leveling goal.
A few minutes later, Orlando goalkeeper Pedro Gallese played a pass to Wilder Cartagena, who put the ball right to the feet of Rodríguez. The Uruguayan played it to Alonso Martínez, who then flicked it on to Wolf in space, who calmly lifted the ball over Gallese and into the net for his fifth goal of the season.
THE WOLF ALWAYS BEATS THE LION 🐺 pic.twitter.com/62fAvbFL5G
— New York City FC (@newyorkcityfc) July 21, 2024
It was a well-worked team goal from the offense pressing high in Orlando's half, which is how head coach Nick Cushing wanted his team to play. New York City wasted no time with the opportunity, playing quick, precise passes to players in space.
Leagues Cup up next
With the four-game road stretch over, NYCFC can now focus on the 2024 Leagues Cup. Last season, New York City did not do well in the first-ever Leagues Cup competition. They lost their opening game 0-1 to Atlas, and followed that with a 5-0 thrashing of Toronto. But New York City bowed out in the Round of 32 with a disappointing 1-0 loss to the Red Bulls.
This time around, NYCFC will face group-stage opponents Querétaro FC at home and FC Cincinnati on the road. New York City has a better team capable of progressing further in the tournament this season but will have to get past a stingy Liga MX team and the 2023 Supports Shield winners first.
NYCFC will return to MLS action on August 24 with a match against Chicago Fire at Citi Field.
Oliver Strand
• Orlando City, César Araújo, yellow card, foul 13'
• NYCFC, James Sands, yellow card, foul 43′
• NYCFC, Strahinja Tanasijević, yellow card, foul 70'
• NYCFC, Hannes Wolf, yellow card, foul 72'
• NYCFC, Justin Haak, yellow card, foul 90+6'
Officials
• Referee: Joe Dickerson
• Assistant referees: Eric Weisbrod, Justin Howard
• Fourth official: Calin Radosav
• VAR: Alejandro Mariscal
• Assistant VAR: Jonathan Johnson
