Orlando City SC's debut game in MLS didn't go as planned, but they got a great moment at the end to avoid losing their home opener in front of 62,000-plus at the Citrus Bowl. They conceded an early goal and went down to 10 men late after Aurelien Collin saw red for a terrible tackle, but Kaka came to the rescue and earned his team a 1-1 draw.
Orlando City vs. NYCFC: Final score 1-1, Kaka rescues a debut draw for OCSC
Despite a Mix Diskerud goal and a red card, Orlando City were able to rescue a draw against New York City FC in dramatic fashion.
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
There wasn't a ton of action in the match outside of the goals. Both teams looked very much like new sides trying to find their footing in MLS in the first half, though Orlando City was a bit more comfortable. Kaka forced a good save out of Josh Saunders in the 38th minute and Carlos Rivas blasted just over right before the break.
The hosts continued to look like the more likely team to score into the second half, partially thanks to some very poor touches by NYCFC striker Adam Nemec. But the visitors took a stunning lead in the 76th minute through one of their marquee players, USMNT regular Mix Diskerud. He picked up a pass from David Villa just outside the box, took one step forward and curled a perfect shot around the outstretched hand of Donovan Ricketts to fire his team into the lead.
Things got even worse for OCSC in the 83rd minute when Collin saw red, and his sending off was well deserved. He dove two-footed into a challenge with Villa, catching the Spaniard from behind and coming nowhere near the ball. It wouldn’t be shocking to see him handed an extended suspension, and he’s lucky Villa wasn’t injured.
Up a goal and a man, NYCFC looked like they’d be able to hold on for a win, but Orlando got a huge lucky bounce in stoppage time to steal a point on their debut. A free kick from Kaka that was headed towards the near post took a massive deflection off a New York player and redirected towards the far post, then dribbled in as Saunders looked helpless.
Orlando City SC: Ricketts, Shea, Hines, Collin, Ramos, Higuita, Okugo, Neal (Rochez 80'), Kaka, Molino, Rivas (St. Ledger 90')
Goals: Kaka (90’)
New York City FC: Saunders, Brosky, Wingert, Hernandez, Williams, Jacobson, Grabavoy, Diskerud (Velazquez 88'), Ballouchy (Shelton 62'), Villa, Nemec (Calle 89')
Goals: Diskerud (76’)
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