An impressive performance by the New York City Fc snapped Orlando City's unbeaten run at home, while New York City FC extended their unbeaten streaks to four games behind a brace from Spanish veteran David Villa, trouncing the Lions 3-0. With this vital road victory, New York City FC also leapfrog Orlando City to move into the third spot of the Eastern Conference standings.
Villa scored the opener via penalty
NYCFC got-off to a rapid start in the fourteenth minute. Following a Jack Harrison's corner-kick cross, forward Rodney Wallace jabbed the ball onto Ricardo Kaka's arm for a hand ball inside the penalty box.
NYCFC captain David Villa stepped towards the spot and clinically converted the spot kick past Lions goalie Joe Bendik for his seventh-goal of the season, putting the visitors up 1-0. Early on, Ethan White seemed to have pulled his groin but insisted playing through it. Afterwards, it appeared like Ethan White would be alright but he eventually left the field in the midst (thirty-fourth minute) of the encounter, but not after helping his club double their lead.
Orlando City almost came close
After a lay-off from Alexander Ring to Harrison, Ethan White fired a lofty cross through the Lions box that found NYCFC forward Rodney Wallace. Immediately the ball found Rodney's foot, he hurriedly powered a shot past Orlando goalie Bendik for his fourth-goal of the year.
This goal gave the visiting New York City FC a 2-0 lead over Orlando before the break. Later in the sixty-fourth minute, the hosts almost came close, when Ben Sweat conceded a penalty by aggressively bringing-down midfielder Scott Sutter inside the penalty box.
The Lions talisman Cyle Larin stepped-up to take the first spot kick of his Major League Soccer career and fired the ball off the crossbar, missing a clear chance to get his side back into the encounter.
Later in the seventy-fifth minute, the Lions got another clear chance, when substitute Luis Gil volleyed home a shot that forced NYCFC goalkeeper Sean Johnson into making a spectacular save.
Villa sealed the victory
Moments after, NYCFC captain David Villa “shut the door” in the eightieth minute with a truly “professional goal” to extend the lead for the visitors.
On a through pass from midfield maestro Maxi Moralez, David Villa caught Orlando goalie Joe Bendik one-on-one to place the ball into the back of the net for his third and 8th goal of the season. This gave New York City FC the 3-0 advantage “effectively” ending any possibility for a come back for the Lions.
What's next for the both teams?
Next up for New York City FC will be a road trip to Georgia to face Atlanta United on Sunday May 28, while Orlando City will travel to Minneapolis to lock horns with Minnesota United on Saturday May 27.
