New York City FC gave their fans something to remember with a 5-0 win over Orlando City at Yankee Stadium on Saturday afternoon. It was their home opener for 2026 and their largest result for such an event in their club history. An early red card to Maxime Crepeau set the stage for the rout but it was City’s viciousness in front of goal that was the story.
NYC started fast, putting Orlando under pressure. They continued their early onslaught, after finishing strong against Philadelphia a week prior. This time, it was Orlando who orchestrated their own undoing when goalkeeper Crepeau handled the ball outside of his own box. The instant red card saw City go ahead just minutes later as Maxi Moralez found Agustin Ojeda for the opening salvo. It was one of three goal-scoring efforts for the club legend as he notched a second assist twenty minutes later when Nico Fernandez doubled the lead. Moralez finished his strong half by converting a penalty, sending the Pigeons to halftime with a commanding 3-0 lead.
The game only got worse for the visitors in the second half. City refused to take their foot off the gas, pressuring Orlando and finding the fourth goal of the game just minutes after the restart. Keaton Parks converted and found his second goal less than 10 minutes later. To their credit, NYC continued to force themselves on the opposition while Orlando slinked away, seemingly awaiting the final whistle to end the nightmare.
It was NYCFC’s second win in a row and third straight game to start the season with a point. Far less drama than the week prior but good enough to keep the club undefeated in 2026. Next is a return to Yankee Stadium next Saturday night for a meeting with west coast opposition, Colorado Rapids.
STARTING XI:
New York City FC: Freese; Gray, O’Toole, Martins (71′ Tanasijevic), Trewin, O’Neill, Parks (71′ Gustavo), Moralez (62′ Magno), Ojeda, Fernandez (87′ Reid), Wolf
Orlando City SC: Crepeau; Dorsey, Brekalo, Miller, Reid-Brown (46′ Marin), Pasalic (78′ Tiago), B. Ojeda (71′ Carrizo), Otavio (46′ McGuire), Angulo, M. Ojeda (62′ Atuesta), Spicer (19′ Otero)
SCORING SUMMARY:
21′ (New York City FC) Agustin Ojeda (1) assisted by Maxi Moralez & Kai Trewin
42′ (New York City FC) Nico Fernandez (2) assisted by Maxi Moralez & Aiden O’Neill
45′ (New York City FC) Maxi Moralez (1) Penalty Kick
49′ (New York City FC) Keaton Parks (1) assisted by Tayvon Gray
54′ (New York City FC) Keaton Parks (2) unassisted
DISCIPLINE:
7′ (Orlando City SC) Tahir Reid-Brown – YELLOW CARD
16′ (Orlando City SC) Maxime Crepeau – RED CARD
photo from NYCFC