Host Orlando City and New York City FC scored goals five minutes apart early in the second half, and a late save by NYCFC’s Matt Freese preserved a 1-1 draw on Saturday.
Orlando City (9-9-7, 34 points) found a lead in the 52nd minute with a goal by Ramiro Enrique and an assist by Martin Ojeda. A midfielder, Ojeda found space on the right wing and sent a shot on net. Before crossing the goal line, the ball glanced off Enrique and into the right side of the net.
It was Enrique’s fourth goal and Ojeda’s seventh assist of the season.
Five minutes later, a mistake by the Orlando defense enabled NYCFC (11-9-5, 38 points) to pull even. Wilder Cartagena received a pass from goalkeeper Pedro Gallese in the defensive third and quickly sent a pass forward, not seeing New York midfielder Santiago Rodriguez.
Rodriquez sent a pass forward to Alonso Martinez, who quickly tapped the ball forward to Hannes Wolf. The forward held an onside position and sent a shot across the face of Gallese and into the left corner.
It was Wolf’s fifth goal in his debut season for NYCFC. Both Rodriguez and Martinez were credited with assists, giving Rodriguez eight and three for the season.
Orlando City’s Luis Muriel almost found a late winner in the eighth minute of second-half stoppage time. The substitute striker sent a shot on goal, by Freese made a diving grab for his fourth save on the night. Gallese finished with two.
The assist for Rodriguez came in his return to the field after sitting out Wednesday’s 2-2 draw for NYCFC in Atlanta. Also returning in the draw was James Sands, who missed the midweek match due to a suspension.
Orlando City’s leading scorer, Facundo Torres, didn’t start. He came into the match for the start of the second half.
The draw was a far cry from NYCFC’s 4-2 win when the teams met on June 28 in New York.
–Field Level Media
