HARRISON, NJ – RBNY win to get back their good form at home with a 2-1 decision over Orlando City. The victory ends the Lions’ unbeaten run. Caden Clark grabbed his fourth goal of the season. The second half saw one of the best goals of the early campaign, via Cristian Casseres Jr. free kick. Orlando would score in the 84-minute but it’d be too little too late.
RBNY win 2-1 to end Orlando City’s Unbeaten run
RBNY Lineup (4-4-2 diamond): Carlos Coronel; John Tolkin, Tom Edwards, Sean Nealis, Kyle Duncan; Sean Davis (C), Cristian Casseres Jr., Frankie Amaya, Caden Clark; Patryk Klimala, Danny Royer
Orlando City lineup (4-2-3-1): Pedro Gallese; Kyle Smith, Robin Jansson, Antonio Carlos, Michael Halliday; Jhegson Mendez, Junior Urso; Chris Mueller, (C) Mauricio Pereyra, Andres Perea; Tesho Akindele
First Half:
New York opened the game on the front foot. A header from close range in the opening minutes forced a Gallese save.
Despite having the majority of possession, Orlando barely sniffed the opposition box. Frankie Amaya was wonderful in midfield before taken off due to a knock. Dru Yearwood replaced. With Edwards partnering Nealis at the back, the latter was communicating nonstop
Patryk Klimala earned his first assist of the season, sending a ball to the back post for Clark to finish. Orlando’s first half frustrations were summed up by two shots in 45 minutes. New York pressed effectively and gave themselves a deserved first time lead.
Second Half:
Benji Michel subbed on for Pereyra to start the second half. Orlando inserted themselves more in the second half with passing combinations and a bit of fortune. However, more frustrations from the away side boiled over as both Mendez and Carlos were booked over argument and foul respectively.
In the 60-minute, Casseres stood over the ball on a free-kick and whipped in a beauty past Gallese to double New York’s advantage. His third goal of the season to go along with his all-action display on the pitch. Klimala would be substituted for Fabio two minutes later.
The Lions would make a double substitution: Joao Moutinho for Halliday and Silvester van Der Water for Mendez. And it would be van Der Water who would cause a nervy end to the match, scoring his first of the season. But New York would hold on for their third win of the season, all at home.
Last Word:
The surprises came from the team sheet with Gerhard Struber playing Edwards at center back despite having Amro Tarek on the bench. Another eye-opener was starting Danny Royer alongside Klimala in attack. Fans will have to wait a while longer for the Fabio-Kilmala partnership.
That being said, the team as a whole put forth a dominant performance. They restricted space and time, with Orlando barely creating a chance. If there’s something to work on, it is chance creation because time after time, crosses into the box didn’t amount to much for the home side. New York will hope Frankie Amaya will be fit by the time club play resumes in mid-June, as the club’s youth is serving them greatly.
John Tolkin was great at left-back, the youngster made the left flank his own and shows the fruits of his labor since working with USL side Red Bulls II. Casseres Jr is making the case as the best player on the team, SEVEN tackles and a goal via SofaScore to cap off a man of the match display.
As for Orlando, the number of absentees made a difference not having Ruan or Nani. The poor start aided to their defeat but they’re still one of the best in the East.
