Orlando City won’t be able to secure a spot in the MLS Cup playoffs in 2022 if the scenario plays out as it did Saturday night at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, NJ. The Lions (13-13-6, 45 points) relinquished a 1-0 second-half advantage and lost 2-1 to New York City FC (15-11-7, 52 points). It was the first time this year that NYCFC won at the venue, which is the home of NYCFC.
Alex Callens and Talles Magno erased Facundo Torres’s goal to give the champion a 3-2 lead in Orlando City SC’s 5-3 loss to New York City FC on Sunday. The result sinks a painful dagger into Orlando’s hopes of hosting a postseason match (but doesn’t eliminate the possibility), ensures that the worst team in the league will be playing at home in the playoffs, and complicates the Lions’ last two games (which they will also have to play on the road).
Despite having two more weeks of rest, center-back Robin Jansson (lower leg) was still out for Pareja’s lineup, which was nearly a fully first-choice group. Pedro Gallese was behind a defense of Joao Moutinho, Rodrigo Schlegel, Antonio Carlos, and Ruan. Cesar Araujo started in central midfield with Junior Urso behind an attacking midfield line of Ivan Angulo, Mauricio Pereyra, and Torres. Ercan Kara was up front.
New York City FC held the advantage in possession (56.6%-43.4%) and pass precision (86.8%-80.8%), while Orlando recorded more shots (5-2) and corners (6-1). Neither team registered a shot on target during the first 45 minutes, which was rather careful.
Orlando City will play Inter Miami on Wednesday in Fort Lauderdale, finishing the regular season on the road. Today’s loss obviously makes that match even more crucial.
