The 4-0 demolition of Inter Miami CF was just what head coach Sandro Schwarz and his squad needed after crushing defeat at the hands of Columbus Crew two weeks ago. Looking to put that loss in the rear-view mirror, they travel south to Florida to meet with a Orlando City side that has struggled out of the gate this season, winning just once in their last five matches, but have been resolute against the Red Bulls, winning the previous four matches against them.
The Red Bulls were first to the scoreboard in 20th minute, when Dylan Nealis danced his way deep into Orlando’s defensive end and passed the ball over to Lewis Morgan who was fouled by Kyle Smith. Morgan converted the penalty shortly thereafter for his seventh goal of the season, giving the visitors a well-deserved early lead.
Orlando City nearly equalized in the 34th minute when Nicolás Lodeiro got the ball over to Duncan McGuire, but his header missed the mark, bouncing harmlessly to his left. Dagur Thörhallsson attempted just ten minutes later, but his shot missed to the left, as the half came to a close, Orlando City left the pitch feeling frustrated controlling most of the match, but it would the Red Bulls feeling good with a one goal lead.
The second half began with Facundo Torres delivering a beautiful ball over to Luis Muriel in 55th minute, Muriel’s shot sailed high and over the bar, drawing loud groans from the home supporters in attendance. Red Bulls responded three minutes later with Dylan Nealis connecting with Dennis Gjengaar in close range, but his shot was blocked away by the Orlando City defense. However McGuire could not get around both Dylan Nealis and Elias Manoel, and the attack was nullified.
The Red Bulls had a golden chance to put the game away in 79th minute when Wiki Carmona delivered a brilliant pass over to a wide open Elias Manoel, who only had Orlando’s keeper to beat, but Manoel’s shot went wide to left, missing the post by mere inches.
And it would cost them, in the 89th minute, the Red Bulls could not get the ball out of their own defensive end, and off a free kick earned by Facundo Torres, the ball somehow bounced loose in the box, only to find the foot of Noah Eile, and mistakenly steered it into the net, erasing the terrific defensive effort by the Red Bulls.
Scoring Summary:
21′ – New York Red Bulls – Lewis Morgan, converted penalty kick
89′ – New York Red Bulls – Noah Elie, own goal
Disciplinary Summary:
44′ – New York Red Bulls – Peter Stroud – Yellow Card
50′ – New York Red Bulls – Andres Reyes – Yellow Card
73′ – New York Red Bulls – Kyle Duncan – Yellow Card
75′ – Orlando City SC – Iván Angulo – Yellow Card
Orlando City SC: Pedro Gallese, Rafael Santos (Wilder Cartagena 66′), Robin Jansson, Schlegel, Dagur Thörallson, Kyle Smith (Jack Lynn 82′), Nicolás Lodeiro (Cesar Araujo 83′), Facundo Torres, Luis Muriel (Martin Ojeda 66′), Iván Angulo, Duncan McGuire
New York Red Bulls: Carlos Coronel, Dylan Nealis, Andres Reyes (Noah Elie 68′), Sean Nealis, Kyle Duncan (John Tolkin 76′), Dennis Gjengaar (Cameron Harper 63′), Frankie Amaya, Peter Stroud, Wiki Carmona, Lewis Morgan (21′), Dante Vanzeir (Elias Manoel 63′)
Final Thoughts:
Good teams take advantage of such opportunities where none virtually exist on the road. On paper, this was a team the Red Bulls should handily beat, but giving your opponent a lifeline where you shouldn’t feels like a loss. Next match will be a stiff test against the defending Supporters Shield winners, FC Cincinnati. We’ll see if the lessons learned from this match will carry over to that one.