New York City FC dramatically rang in their home stand in 2025 with a 2-1 win over Orlando City SC, marking their 10th year in the league alongside the opposition. Hannes Wolf was the hero as he scored a 71st minute game-winner to cap off a strong second half display.
The first half saw City control the game and create dangerous opportunities throughout the first 45 minutes. Shots from Maxi Moralez forced Pedro Gallese into action to keep the game level. Head coach Pascal Jansen had tough decisions to make in his starting lineup as Birk Risa and Tayvon Gray were unavailable. A strategic choice to leave out Agustin Ojeda for Julian Fernandez ended up being the right mix as the Argentine was involved in the game-winning play by providing Wolf with an assist.
Almost all of the drama came in the second half, starting with the game’s opening goal. A shot from the top of the box rang off the post before finding Alonso Martinez who ran towards the net to finish the play. City continued to push forward but eventually gave up the equalizer in the 69th minute, when Luis Muriel ran the ball into the box and took the shot that beat goalkeeper Matt Freese. City’s response was just minutes later as a rebound found the foot of Fernandez who crossed the ball for Wolf’s header.
City continued to push forward while also keeping an unusually toothless Orlando City at bay. While Orlando had more shots overall, City more than doubled their efforts on target. The effectiveness behind a raucous crowd should put to bed early-season woes as to whether or not NYC will be competitive with their new, younger team under a Dutch head coach.
The win brings the Pigeons to four points on the season and a rebound after a tough loss in Los Angeles last week. They will now have the momentum as City remain at home to play New England Revolution next Saturday night at Yankee Stadium.
STARTING XI:
New York City FC: Freese; Ilenic, Haak, Martins, O’Toole, Parks, Shore, Moralez (90′ Carvallo), Fernandez (72′ Ojeda), Martinez (72′ Bakrar), Wolf
Orlando City SC: Gallese; Freeman, Jansson, Schlegel, Santos (82′ Smith), Pasalic (81′ Thorhallsson), Atuesta (86′ Caraballo), Araujo, Angulo, Muriel, Ojeda (75′ Enrique)
SCORING SUMMARY:
59′ (NYCFC) Alonso Martinez (2) unassisted
69′ (Orlando City SC) Luis Muriel (1) assisted by Marco Pasalic
71′ (NYCFC) Hannes Wolf (1) assisted by Julian Fernandez
DISCIPLINE:
61′ (Orlando City SC) Ivan Angulo – YELLOW CARD
66′ (NYCFC) Maxi Moralez – YELLOW CARD
77′ (NYCFC) Kevin O’Toole – YELLOW CARD
82′ (Orlando City SC) Eduard Atuesta – YELLOW CARD
86′ (NYCFC) Kevin O’Toole – RED CARD
photo by Jordan Bank