Orlando City Falls Short in Clash with New York City FC

ORLANDO, Fla. – In their Wednesday night match, Orlando City suffered a defeat to New York City FC when Alonso Martínez scored during stoppage time, concluding the game with a 2-1 score.

Orlando (9-6-8) is winless four straight.

Julián Fernández initiated a counter-attack with a forward ball to the speeding Martínez, who outpaced the defense and defeated goalkeeper Pedro Gallese — who had advanced to the edge of the penalty area — with a low shot that found its way inside the right post in the first minute of stoppage time.

NYCFC (10-8-4) equalized at 1-1 in the 87th minute through an own goal by Kyle Smith. Fernández’s corner kick reached the center of the area, where Andrés Perea’s header towards the back post was deflected by Gallese, redirecting a clearance attempt by teammate Rodrigo Schlegel into the net.

Matt Freese stopped six shots for New York City.

Robin Jansson scored his first goal of the season to give Orlando a 1-0 lead in the 36th minute. Martín Ojeda played a corner kick to the back post that was centered by David Brekalo’s header before Jannson played the ball high off his chest and bounced a volley into the net from point-blank range. Ojeda joined Luís Carlos “Nani” Almeida da Cunha (2019) as the only players in club history to produce at least 10 goals and 10 assists in a single season.

Orlando outshot NYCFC 25-11, 7-4 on target.

Gallese finished with three saves.

New York City also beat Orlando 2-1 at home on March 8.

___

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer