Deadspin | New York City FC holds off collapse with rebound vs. Orlando City

Field Level Media|published: Sat 8th March, 22:02 2025

Mar 8, 2025; New York, New York, USA; New York City FC goalkeeper Matt Freese (49) rolls the ball during the first half against Orlando City at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Smith-Imagn Images

Hannes Wolf scored the tiebreaking goal on a header in the 71st minute as New York City FC recovered quickly from conceding the tying goal and earned a 2-1 victory over visiting Orlando City Saturday night in New York.Deadspin | New York City FC holds off collapse with rebound vs. Orlando City

After being unable to avoid allowing late goals in a draw to Inter Miami and a loss to Los Angeles Football Club, NYCFC (1-1-1, 4 points), regained the lead two minutes after Luis Muriel beat goalie Matt Freese with a right-footed shot after defender Justin Haak was unable to send the ball out of play.Deadspin | New York City FC holds off collapse with rebound vs. Orlando City

Alonso Martinez scored on a rebound in the 59th after Maxi Moralez hit the right post. Martinez scored unimpeded when the rebound slid off the post and into the box before Orlando goalie Pedro Gallese could cover.

Muriel tied it on a 3-on-2 when he got loose in the box and lifted a shot by Freese, but Wolf scored on a brilliant finish after Gallese stopped Martinez. Gallese was unable to control the rebound and the ball popped up to Julian Fernandez.

Fernandez spotted Wolf charging down the right side and flicked a soft pass with his right foot to the center of the box, allowing Wolf to easily bury a header.

After regaining the lead, NYCFC survived playing the final nine minutes with 10 men after Kevin O'Toole took a second yellow card. Orlando (1-2-0, 3 points) nearly tied it in the 90th off a corner kick but Cesar Araujo saw his header sail over the net but did not take any other shots in that span.

Freese made both of his saves in the second half after allowing the late goals in the first two weeks.

Gallese stopped six shots and was frequently under siege as NYCFC saw eight of its 13 shots go on target.

Before getting the tiebreaking goal, New York struggled to execute on headers in the first half as Justin Haak missed in the fourth minute and Julian Fernandez also missed on a header in the 37th. Martinez had a good chance in the 25th, but Gallese made a diving save on the soft shot from the right side of the box.

Orlando had eight shots in the opening half but none were on target until Freese easily stopped Muriel in the 58th.

--Field Level Media