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NYCFC fall to Orlando in penalties and are eliminated from the Playoffs. I just... I can’t talk about how horrid this team is in the playoffs anymore. Maxi’s opening miss definitely hurt the tone. Sean Johnson made a great save on Nani to keep City alive, but it wasn’t meant to be.
I kinda saw this coming. I had predicted City would lose all week. And I’ve never been so mad to be right.
I gotta bow out here, everyone. I’ll report when it’s done. My anxiety is too crazy right now.
It’s going to penalties. sigh
120’: I don’t like our chances in PK’s. I really hope NYC can steal this one at the death.
114’: Gallese makes another save. Man of the Match for sure.
107’: These turnovers have been comical. What is this team doing? They’re not playing like they have a man advantage.
First half of extra time over. Still tied 1-1. One more round of 15 minutes to go.
101’: This has been something else. I legit can’t anymore with this game.
99’: Taty pounces on a cross and fires it on the full volley. But it’s over the mark.
95’: Maxi needs to do better with that! Wasted chance after wasted chance.
92’: 10th corner kick for NYCFC incoming.
God. That would’ve sucked.
Extra time incoming.
90’+8: Tajouri-Shradi flirts with goal from distance. Just wide.
Three changes. Tinnerholm, Mackay-Steven, and Parks are off. Sebastien Ibeagha, Ismael Tajouri-Shradi, and Cacha are on.
TEN MINUTES of stoppage time. Goodness.
88’: With Orlando now down to 10 men, the time has come to pounce!
86’: BUHHHHH BYE!!! Don’t let that shower door hit you in the ass, Ruan!
84’: WHEN DO YOU GIVE A RED CARD!? What the actual fuck is going on?
82’: Chapman has lost control of this game. I don’t get it, man. I hope we don’t get screwed here.
78’: If that’s not a red card, then what the hell is!? Alex Callens was sent off for way less in 2017. Ruan lined him up and collided with his head. And they’re not even looking at it.
75’: NYCFC are knocking on the door. They just need one good shot on goal.
72’: SeanJohn makes a big save on a ridiculous shot from Nani. I’ve never seen a shot dip like that.
70’: Taty Castellanos is shown a yellow for telling Nani he is soft.
64’: Medina threatens goal again! But Gallese is playing out of his mind right now.
63’: Now that is the Gary we need! The Scotsman splits two defenders and creates a promising chance.
58’: Medina’s fight has been amazing. To see the player he’s become this year is beautiful. I really hope he can have a big moment today.
51’: Orlando are the aggressors early this half. City have been present in the offensive third, but lack the communication to really make anything of it.
Second half is a go. Can NYCFC pull ahead and tame the Lions?
HT: NYCFC and OCSC are level at 1-1 after an insane first half.
If you have issues with anxiety, this is not the game for you! Momentum has switched sides on numerous occasions. Quality chances have been denied. The game itself has been wide open.
Long story short, this game is nuts! I do believe New York City have been the better team. But Orlando looks dangerous and could bring the Blues a lot of pain if they’re not careful.
Four minutes of stoppage time. That’s an eternity by this game’s standards.
43’: Gallase comes up big with a great double save to keep the game level. Keaton Parks will be kicking himself for that one.
33’: This game feels all wrong. I feel like the slightest mistake will prove costly. City have to assert themselves and pull ahead before Orlando grabs momentum.
24’: Medina is denied by a brilliant save. Shot was good, power was good. But Gallese is equal to it.
18’: Keaton Parks just loves to bully Nani. This kid fears nobody!
15’: Great save by Sean Johnson. We’re still level.
14’: Despite an early gift, NYCFC have gone on the offensive. Since Nani’s penalty, it’s been one-way traffic for the Blues.
8’: GOOOOOOAAALLL!!! City answer back!
Maxime Chanot meets Jesus Medina’s corner kick with a brilliant header into the goal. We’re tied at 1-1!
4’: Penalty for Orlando. As trash a start as possible.
Nani steps up and... makes it. 1-0, OCSC.
We’re off in the Sunshine State! And most importantly. we’re off in the MLS Cup Playoffs. Can NYCFC pull off the upset on the road?
Rosters are out! No surprises here. Deila & Co. have gone with the hot hands. Alex Callens — previously thought to be unavailable due to quarantine — will be in the lineup. It remains to be seen, however, if his inclusion is enough to stop a dangerous Orlando team.
Rosters
New York City FC Starting XI:
| City Boys set to start #MLSCupPlayoffs Round 1 in Orlando #NYCFC#ORLvNYC | @hays_us
— New York City FC (@NYCFC) November 21, 2020
- Suspended: None
- Suspended after next caution: ANone
- International Duty: None
- Injury Report:
- OUT: Gedion Zelalem (M) - knee injury\
- OUT: Heber (F) - ACL injury
- OUT: James Sands (M) - foot injury
Orlando City Starting XI:
The City XI to start our #MLSCupPlayoffs run @orlandohealth | #LightItPurple
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) November 21, 2020
- Suspended: None
- Suspended after next caution: None
- International duty: None
- Injury Report:
- OUT: Dom Dwyer (F) - knee injury
- OUT: Sebastián Méndez (M) - undisclosed injury
Referees: Allen Chapman (referee); Logan Brown, Nick Uranga (assistant referees); Marcos de Oliveira (4th official); Guido Gonzales Jr. (VAR)
How To Watch
Match date & time: November 21, 2020, 12:00 PM ET
Venue: Exploria Stadium, Orlando, FL
Online streaming: Fox Sports Go
TV: YES, UniMas
Local radio: NYCFC.com/radio
The story: It’s been a rollercoaster year for New York City FC. After starting their MLS season without a win — and then being forced to marinate on it for three months due to sports shutting on account of the COVID-19 pandemic — the Boys in Blue rallied after the summer restart and went on an overall impressive run that saw them rise from the cellar and into the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff race.
Having won their last four games heading into the MLS Cup Playoffs, NYCFC faces arguably their toughest test yet in Orlando City on the road. The Lions are making their first MLS Playoff appearance in their six seasons of league existence. And they will be able to do it in front of a limited capacity crowd at home.
This could potentially create complications for NYCFC. Historically speaking, the Bronx Blues are not very good in playoff competition. And they’re not particularly good in road playoff games, either.
But, it’s a year of firsts for many. And maybe this time around, NYCFC — under the leadership of Ronny Deila — can finally make inroads towards hoisting their first piece of silverware in team history.
This post will update with highlights and information as we receive it.