Orlando City SC looks for its first win in the month of May in a home match against New York City FC.

.@OrlandoCitySC is still gracious in defeat. Team walks to about the top of the box to thank fans.#ORLvNYC #OCSC — New Day Review (@NewDayReview) May 22, 2017

85′: SUBSTITUTION. Thomas McNamara comes on for Villa.#ORLvNYC #OCSC — New Day Review (@NewDayReview) May 22, 2017

49 and counting… pic.twitter.com/oCci46Bl3V — New York City FC (@NYCFC) May 22, 2017

83': GOAL. Ball is chipped over the defense to Villa, who strikes it for a 3-0 @NYCFC lead.#ORLvNYC #OCSC — New Day Review (@NewDayReview) May 22, 2017

80′: SUBSTITUTION. Miguel Camargo comes on for Jack Harrison.#ORLvNYC #OCSC — New Day Review (@NewDayReview) May 22, 2017

80′: Rivas fired that free kick into the stands. It went close to 50 yards.#ORLvNYC #OCSC — New Day Review (@NewDayReview) May 22, 2017

79′: Rivas will take a free kick on this set piece.#ORLvNYC #OCSC — New Day Review (@NewDayReview) May 22, 2017

Orlando City is stringing together some attacking efforts. Just need to find chances on goal now.#ORLvNC #OCSC — New Day Review (@NewDayReview) May 22, 2017

78′: MPG ▶️ Sutter ▶️ Rivas’ head in the box, but it misses wide.#ORLvNYC #OCSC — New Day Review (@NewDayReview) May 22, 2017

77′: Johnson half-volleys it toward goal, but it goes wide left. MPG started the effort from the right flank.#ORLvNYC #OCSC — New Day Review (@NewDayReview) May 22, 2017

75′: SHOT. Gil makes an immediate impact as soon as he comes in. Unloads a rocket on goal that is deflected by Johnson.#ORLvNYC #OCSC — New Day Review (@NewDayReview) May 22, 2017

75′: SUBSTITUTION. Luis Gil comes on for Cristian Higuita.#ORLvNYC #OCSC — New Day Review (@NewDayReview) May 22, 2017

73′: Luis Gil looks like he’s about to come into the game. Has some words with Kreis beforehand.#ORLvNYC #OCSC — New Day Review (@NewDayReview) May 22, 2017

71′: SHOT. Jack Harrison gets a shot off from the right part of the box. Bendik is there for the diving save.#ORLvNYC #OCSC — New Day Review (@NewDayReview) May 22, 2017

67′: MPG finds Toia near the back post for a headed attempt, but it’s deflected out.#ORLvNYC #OCSC — New Day Review (@NewDayReview) May 22, 2017

64′: Larin bounces the shot off the crossbar. That kind of night for the Lions.#ORLvNYC #OCSC — New Day Review (@NewDayReview) May 22, 2017

63′: PENALTY. Rivas gets a GREAT pass into Sutter, who gets taken down in the box. Larin to take the PK.#ORLvNYC #OCSC — New Day Review (@NewDayReview) May 22, 2017

61′: Great hustle by Rivas still. Contests the pass back to a CB, then contests the pass to the goalie.#ORLvNYC #OCSC — New Day Review (@NewDayReview) May 22, 2017

Orlando City hasn’t looked much different in 2nd half. Slow-developing actions, no production in the attack.#ORLvNYC #OCSC — New Day Review (@NewDayReview) May 22, 2017

57′: Sliding challenge stops Larin. It’s a throw-in for Orlando City, but that attack was short-lived.#ORLvNYC #OCSC — New Day Review (@NewDayReview) May 22, 2017

56′: Free-kick chance into Orlando’s box is gathered cleanly on the hop by Bendik.#ORLvNYC #OCSC — New Day Review (@NewDayReview) May 22, 2017

Close! @mmoralezoficial almost makes it 3-0 as #NYCFC keep up the momentum after halftime… pic.twitter.com/pNKP4XUPLo — New York City FC (@NYCFC) May 22, 2017

55′: SHOT. Moralez has space at the top of Orlando’s box and unloads on Bendik’s net. Bendik is there. Corner coming.#ORLvNYC #OCSC — New Day Review (@NewDayReview) May 22, 2017

Kaka is playing more on the flank this half. Looks like Orlando is playing a 4-4-2. It’s a flatter formation, for sure.#ORLvNYC #OCSC — New Day Review (@NewDayReview) May 22, 2017

49′: SHOT. Rivas finds some space at the top of @NYCFC‘s box and rips 1 into the stands.#ORLvNYC #OCSC — New Day Review (@NewDayReview) May 22, 2017

“Don’t Stop Believin'” is playing in the stadium now… 🙄🙄#ORLvNYC #OCSC — New Day Review (@NewDayReview) May 22, 2017

HALFTIME: @NYCFC 2, @OrlandoCitySC 0. Villa has a PK, Wallace has the other goal. Teams exit the pitch to roar of boos.#ORLvNYC #OCSC — New Day Review (@NewDayReview) May 22, 2017

45’+: YELLOW. Moralez gets booked for his takedown from behind on Will Johnson.#ORLvNYC #OCSC — New Day Review (@NewDayReview) May 22, 2017

45′: CHANCE. Nocerino maintains possession after the cleared corner. Toia sends it back in, and Larin’s header is stopped.#ORLvNYC #OCSC — New Day Review (@NewDayReview) May 22, 2017

45′: Sutter deflects it off a couple @NYCFC players for a corner from the right.#ORLvNYC #OCSC — New Day Review (@NewDayReview) May 22, 2017

43′: Nocerino, Villa exchange some words after Nocerino fouls the Spaniard.#ORLvNYC #OCSC — New Day Review (@NewDayReview) May 22, 2017

40′: Nocerino fouls Moralez about a yard outside Orlando City’s box. Villa will take it.#ORLvNYC #OCSC — New Day Review (@NewDayReview) May 21, 2017

Also, RJ Allen came on for Ethan White after the goal.#ORLvNYC #OCSC — New Day Review (@NewDayReview) May 21, 2017

38′: Johnson goes down inside @NYCFC‘s box, and the crowd erupts again.#ORLvNYC #OCSC — New Day Review (@NewDayReview) May 21, 2017

@rodwallace22 @EthanWhite15 Doubling up! @rodwallace22 slides in at the back post to score his fourth goal for #NYCFC… pic.twitter.com/MFtIzOlBJS — New York City FC (@NYCFC) May 21, 2017

35′: GOAL. Rodney Wallace scores on the back-post. Replay shows he was pretty offside.#ORLvNYC #OCSC — New Day Review (@NewDayReview) May 21, 2017

34′: YELLOW. Rivas is booked for his foul on Villa. Ref didn’t hesitate. Crowd begins “Ref, you suck!” chants.#ORLvNYC #OCSC — New Day Review (@NewDayReview) May 21, 2017

34′: Kaka tried to slide it into Nocerino. The Italian wants a PK after he fell. Rivas fouls Villa right after.#ORLvNYC #OCSC — New Day Review (@NewDayReview) May 21, 2017

32′: Sutter, Toia combine for a great defensive stop. 1st the slide tackle by Sutter, then the headed clear by Toia.#ORLvNYC #OCSC — New Day Review (@NewDayReview) May 21, 2017

Rivas’ pace and effort in the attack has given him chances to cross into Larin. They’ll probably connect later on.#ORLvNYC #OCSC — New Day Review (@NewDayReview) May 21, 2017

28′: Corner from the left for Orlando City. Rivas tried to cross it into Larin again, but it’s deflected.#ORLvNYC #OCSC — New Day Review (@NewDayReview) May 21, 2017

27′: Ethan White gets a hamstring (?) massage on the sideline to stop play. He comes back on.#ORLvNYC #OCSC — New Day Review (@NewDayReview) May 21, 2017

25′: Rivas rockets the ball into the box to Larin, but it’s just a few feet too far in front.#ORLvNYC #OCSC — New Day Review (@NewDayReview) May 21, 2017

23′: Ensuing corner is eventually cleared. Cross back in by Sutter is cleared too.#ORLvNYC #OCSC — New Day Review (@NewDayReview) May 21, 2017

22′: Rivas jumps on the bad pass and crosses it to Larin, who forces a corner on the header.#ORLvNYC #OCSC — New Day Review (@NewDayReview) May 21, 2017

21′: Would-be 1-on-1 attempt b/w Bendik and Wallace is negated by the offside call.#ORLvNYC #OCSC — New Day Review (@NewDayReview) May 21, 2017

This is the 2nd time this season that Orlando has trailed at home. Also the 1st time @NYCFC has scored here too.#ORLvNYC #OCSC — New Day Review (@NewDayReview) May 21, 2017

19′: YELLOW. Mikey Lopez gets the 1st booking of the game for his challenge on @KAKA.#ORLvNYC #OCSC — New Day Review (@NewDayReview) May 21, 2017

18′: Kaka goes down near on the left flank, and the crowd takes exception to that.#ORLvNYC #OCSC — New Day Review (@NewDayReview) May 21, 2017

13′: HANDBALL. @KAKA gets called for the handball on the defensive effort inside the box. Villa will take the PK.#ORLvNYC #OCSC — New Day Review (@NewDayReview) May 21, 2017

13′: @NYCFC‘s 1st corner coming from the left. Harrison will take it with Moralez standing by close.#ORLvNYC #OCSC — New Day Review (@NewDayReview) May 21, 2017

11′: Nice play by Sutter to negate the cross with a deflection. It goes out for a throw-in instead of a corner.#ORLvNYC #OCSC — New Day Review (@NewDayReview) May 21, 2017

10′: @JSpector23 comes up to help Orlando keep possession. Helps Villa up on the near-collision. Good sportsmanship.#ORLvNYC #OCSC — New Day Review (@NewDayReview) May 21, 2017

9′: Villa draws the foul on Pereira. Free kick coming from just outside the right part of Orlando’s box.#ORLvNYC #OCSC — New Day Review (@NewDayReview) May 21, 2017

7′: Orlando really holding onto possession here, keeping the Lions’ attack going. Foul on Larin in the box.#ORLvNYC #OCSC — New Day Review (@NewDayReview) May 21, 2017

6′: Hustle by Rivas forces the 1st corner of the game. Coming from the right. Johnson will take it.#ORLvNYC #OCSC — New Day Review (@NewDayReview) May 21, 2017

4′: @KAKA threads the ball perfectly to Rivas to the top of NYCFC’s box. Rivas took too many touches before his shot.#ORLvNYC #OCSC — New Day Review (@NewDayReview) May 21, 2017

1′: Tough start. Turnover deep in Orlando territory. Hustle by @JSpector23 helped to clear.#ORLvNYC #OCSC — New Day Review (@NewDayReview) May 21, 2017

That’s the most I’ve seen the fans get into the national anthem all season so far. Nice job, @RuckusOrlando and @IronLionFirm.#ORLvNYC — New Day Review (@NewDayReview) May 21, 2017



Left-back Victor “PC” Giro is on the bench for City. He made his debut against the San Jose Earthquakes, recording an assist on the lone goal by Carlos Rivas and a shot that ricocheted off the crossbar.

Here’s what Will Johnson had to say about both center-back Léo Pereira’s and PC’s performances in their Major League Soccer debut.

They were excellent. Really good. You know, it’s a night where we asked them to travel a long way and play in a tough game for a debut in MLS, but, at the end of the day, they rose to the occasion. They did well. Everything was solid. PC was very good. Obviously gets a nice assist on the goal, so that always helps too. Just really good first steps for them in their careers, and now the challenge is, “Okay, we’ve seen you can do it. So, now you gotta do it for us again and again and again,” because, ultimately, that’s what this is about. We need guys consistent, and we need guys where we know when we put ’em on the field that we’re gonna get that performance week in, week out. So now the challenge is there for them, and the bar has been set.

Apart from center-back Léo Pereira, City’s lineup is mostly familiar. Pereira will have a challenge ahead of him with David Villa on the other side. Fellow center-back Tommy Redding, who is away with the U-20 United States men’s national team, has defended Villa also. Redding is a year younger than Pereira.

Here’s what Jason Kreis had to say about Pereira’s performance in his debut against the San Jose Earthquakes.

Léo was another player I thought was a standout performer for us, which says a lot ‘cus I think that’s really difficult for a central defender to do in a central role like that against players like [Chris] Wondolowski. He showed that he’s quite capable of playing for us and contributing at this level.

Forward Carlos Rivas has two goals in five games, dating back to April 29 when he scored his first goal of the 2017 season against the Colorado Rapids. Both scores have come in matches that he has come on as a substitute in.

And midfielder Will Johnson…

They’re better when there’s more space. They have good soccer players. So they move the ball around well, and that’s a part where, I mean, if our discipline’s not right, where we close the areas that we want to dictate the game and with the right mentality and with the right aggressive shape, we’ll get ourselves stretched out in a bad place because of how good they are with the ball, which, on a bigger field, obviously means that we’ve gotta be better, in that regard, when we don’t have the ball. So, we look forward to it. We are a team that’s in a better place with the ball than we were in the first week. We understand who we are and how important the ball is to us. So we’ve gotta look to keep it, and then when we don’t have it, defend well and limit their opportunities, ‘cus, like I said, they’re a good team.

And here’re right-back Scott Sutter’s comments on playing NYCFC again.

A lot bigger field. That’s another thing that comes to it. Certain things in the MLS that are really different from what I’m used to and playing for the third time, I think, in 12 games is definitely one of them. It’s not easy. I mean, you can kind of say it’s good because you kinda know the opponent inside, out now, but, in the same time, it adds that little bit of pressure, I guess. But the momentum is definitely in our favor that we’ve got the last two victories, so we can definitely look to show that confidence, and we’re playing at home. So, that’s just what we need.

Here’s what Jason Kreis had to say about the familiarity both teams will have after having played twice already this season. This is the final time both teams will meet in the regular season.

It’s just a team that we’re obviously very familiar with, now, having played against them for a third time in six weeks, it seems like. Maybe a little longer than that, but it seems like a very short time to play a same team three times. So we have a very good understanding of what they’re a bout and what they’re trying to do, and they have a very good understanding of us. I think, at the end of the day, it’s gonna come down to little bit of who wants it more.

Orlando City is still looking for its first win in the month of May. Lions head coach Jason Kreis said his team is hungry for a win after an unprecedented 6-1-0 start.

Tonight’s #NYCFC XI to take on Orlando ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/eQ49SsKUzf — New York City FC (@NYCFC) May 21, 2017

Good to see the captain back in the starting lineup. He has started two of the last five matches before Sunday’s match.