ORLANDO – Brazilian side Palmeiras has used a 2-1 come-from-behind win over New York City FC to claim the 2020 Florida Cup thanks to Corinthians dropping the nightcap against Atletico National at Explora Stadium on Saturday.
After a first-half goal from Osaze De Rosario Palmeiras came back in the second half thanks to goals through Lucas Lima and Willian to win the tournament at their first attempt.
With the Paulista getting underway this coming weekend the Verdao started a full-strength line-up against New York. While the Major League Soccer season is a little bit further away the match presented NYCFC a chance to play their ideal first choice side for the first time this pre-season.
The full-strength nature of both sides didn’t last very long as both sides lost players early in the match. Palmeiras lost Bruno Herique, replacing him with Ramires before NYC lost Maxi Morales, bringing on Andres Jasson as a substitute.
The Brazilian side started well, with several chances in the first half-hour of the match with Dudu looking especially dangerous. A mixture of narrow misses and some strong goal keeping from Brad Stuver kept the match level which allowed New York City to take the lead late in the half.
After being outplayed for much of the first half the MLS side broke the deadlock as Jasson’s cross bent in perfectly to De Rosario allowing him to head it out of the reach of the keeper and in to the back of the net.
“It was a fantastic goal,” said NYCFC Head Coach Ronny Delia, “Osaze is a talented boy. He still has a lot to learn but he has some skills that are rare. He’s big, very strong, good on the ball, and in the air he’s fantastic, so it’s about a little more to take the level of intensity and discipline, and if he can do that he’ll be a very exciting striker.”
At half-time New York made nine changes, and that lack of stability in the line-up left it vulnerable and just 11 minutes in to the second half Palmeiras had the equalizer.
The first goal was somewhat fortuitous, Lima’s cross was intended for Willian but it took a deflection that saw the ball go past Luis Barraza in the NYC goal.
After the hour the Verdao made a line-change substituting out much of the team, and that proved vital as in the 73rd minute Ze Rafael headed the ball for Willian to poke it home just out of the reach of Barraza to take the lead. It was the cap on a perfect performance from Willian which saw him claim the man of the match award.
Following the win, Palmeiras was in the box seat but had to hope Corinthians would drop the final match of the tournament, which happened as Atletico National claimed the win 2-1 to give Palmeiras the title after they beat AN on penalties in the first match.
Florida Soccer Report 