BAY LAKE – Orlando City SC used a quick start to seal its place in the MLS is Back knockout rounds on Tuesday night. The Lions managed a 3-1 win over New York City FC to become the first team to advance.
It only took four minutes for the hosts to open the scoring, Joao Moutinho’s free-kick dropped perfectly for Chris Mueller. The youngster stabbed it home on the volley to put his side on top.
That advantage was doubled by Mueller again, continuing his hot start to the tournament. The ball was floated into the box and headed back across by Dom Dwyer for Mueller at a tight angle. He took his time, sucked in the keeper, and slammed it into the back of the net for a 2-0 lead in the first ten minutes.
After being shell shocked for the opening moments of the match, NYCFC started to come into the match midway through the half, but its chances only came from set-pieces. The gaining of some stability came thanks to a formation change, switching to a flat 4-4-2 after coming out in a more 4-1-3-2 shape.
A goal was pulled back in the 38th minute thanks to a wonder-strike from Jesus Medina. A flowing counter caught out Orlando for the opportunity. Medina chested the ball down on the edge of the area and slammed it past the keeper with a powerful half-volley. The goal snapped the team’s longest goalless streak, 308 minutes.
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Only a crossbar denied Mueller his hat-trick before half-time as New York again left too much space on the right. That left plenty of time for the cross to find an open Miller who couldn’t sneak it under the bar.
NYC came out much improved in the second half but struggled to make that performance count as Orlando rarely looked troubled.
The best chance came in the 77th minute when a double save was needed from Pedro Gallese to deny two back-to-back long-range shots. The second from Valentin Castellanos seemed sure to catch him out but was well saved to keep the Lions in front.
OCSC sealed the match in the 81st minute when Tesho Akindele put away the rebound from Benji Michel’s shot. It was practically Michel’s first touch of the game, having come on one minute earlier and delighting his manager with the impact.
From there, Orlando closed out the match and passage to the knockout stages.
Photo Courtesy: Matthew Stith and Devin L’Amoreaux
Florida Soccer Report 
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