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| New York City FC wins 5-3 over Orlando City – as it happened | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 4.53pm ET21:53 | |
| Signing off | |
| Enough goals for you? That’s all from Yankee Stadium. Thanks for following along with us and do check back later for a full match report. | |
| 4.45pm ET21:45 | 4.45pm ET21:45 |
| Full-time: New York City FC 5-3 Orlando City SC | Full-time: New York City FC 5-3 Orlando City SC |
| And there’s the final whistle. NYC FC scores three times after Pirlo comes on and staves off an Orlando rally to hold on for the three points. Have you caught your breath? | And there’s the final whistle. NYC FC scores three times after Pirlo comes on and staves off an Orlando rally to hold on for the three points. Have you caught your breath? |
| 4.42pm ET21:42 | 4.42pm ET21:42 |
| GOAL! New York City FC 5-3 Orlando City SC (Diskerud, 90 min+3) | GOAL! New York City FC 5-3 Orlando City SC (Diskerud, 90 min+3) |
| Kaka’s near-equalizer inadvertently kicks off a counter-attack that sees David Villa, Poku and Diskerud trade passes down the middle of the field: a 3 v 1 breakway. Ultimately it’s the US international who puts a cherry on today’s offensive onslaught. | Kaka’s near-equalizer inadvertently kicks off a counter-attack that sees David Villa, Poku and Diskerud trade passes down the middle of the field: a 3 v 1 breakway. Ultimately it’s the US international who puts a cherry on today’s offensive onslaught. |
| Updated at 4.49pm ET | Updated at 4.49pm ET |
| 4.39pm ET21:39 | 4.39pm ET21:39 |
| 90 min+2: Kaka with a free kick from a dangerous position just outside the box, and he finds the woodwork! | 90 min+2: Kaka with a free kick from a dangerous position just outside the box, and he finds the woodwork! |
| 4.39pm ET21:39 | 4.39pm ET21:39 |
| 90 min: David Villa appears to have a hat trick ... but the flag is up and he’s offsides! | 90 min: David Villa appears to have a hat trick ... but the flag is up and he’s offsides! |
| 4.38pm ET21:38 | 4.38pm ET21:38 |
| 88 min: Pirlo shown yellow. Then seconds later St Ledger comes thisclose to equalizing when his lunging header just misses the target. | 88 min: Pirlo shown yellow. Then seconds later St Ledger comes thisclose to equalizing when his lunging header just misses the target. |
| 4.34pm ET21:34 | 4.34pm ET21:34 |
| 87 min: New York City FC wins a corner and Pirlo takes it, but it’s cleared easily by Orlando City. | 87 min: New York City FC wins a corner and Pirlo takes it, but it’s cleared easily by Orlando City. |
| 4.33pm ET21:33 | 4.33pm ET21:33 |
| GOAL! New York City FC 4-3 Orlando City SC (Larin, 85 min) | GOAL! New York City FC 4-3 Orlando City SC (Larin, 85 min) |
| And it’s a hat trick for Cyle Larin! Quick counter-attack ends with Kaka dishing to Larin a the top of the area. He takes one quick touch and pounds home a goal from distance. Orlando City will have just over five minutes to find an equalizer. | And it’s a hat trick for Cyle Larin! Quick counter-attack ends with Kaka dishing to Larin a the top of the area. He takes one quick touch and pounds home a goal from distance. Orlando City will have just over five minutes to find an equalizer. |
| Updated at 4.50pm ET | |
| 4.31pm ET21:31 | 4.31pm ET21:31 |
| 83 min: A nice ball in by Kaka, but the Orlando attacker loses his balance in the area and teeters over. Yikes. A substitution here as Pedro Ribeiro in on for Carlos Rivas. | 83 min: A nice ball in by Kaka, but the Orlando attacker loses his balance in the area and teeters over. Yikes. A substitution here as Pedro Ribeiro in on for Carlos Rivas. |
| 4.28pm ET21:28 | 4.28pm ET21:28 |
| 81 min: Rivas shown yellow after getting a bit too handsy on a foul. | 81 min: Rivas shown yellow after getting a bit too handsy on a foul. |
| 4.25pm ET21:25 | 4.25pm ET21:25 |
| 77 min: Larin goes up for the header off the corner and collides with Saunders. For a moment the ball is sitting on the line, there for the pouncing, but it’s cleared safely by an NYC FC player. Now play has been halted as Larin appears to be hurt from the collision. | 77 min: Larin goes up for the header off the corner and collides with Saunders. For a moment the ball is sitting on the line, there for the pouncing, but it’s cleared safely by an NYC FC player. Now play has been halted as Larin appears to be hurt from the collision. |
| 4.24pm ET21:24 | 4.24pm ET21:24 |
| 76 min: Saunders with a incredible save from point-blank range! Corner for Orlando City. | 76 min: Saunders with a incredible save from point-blank range! Corner for Orlando City. |
| 4.21pm ET21:21 | 4.21pm ET21:21 |
| 74 min: A substitution for Orlando City: Martin Paterson on for Eric Avila. | 74 min: A substitution for Orlando City: Martin Paterson on for Eric Avila. |
| 4.20pm ET21:20 | 4.20pm ET21:20 |
| GOAL! New York City FC 4-2 Orlando City SC (McNamara, 71 min) | GOAL! New York City FC 4-2 Orlando City SC (McNamara, 71 min) |
| It starts again with Pirlo, who finds Poku, who then finds Thomas McNamara in space at the top of the area. Within seconds he fires home a thunderous top-shelf goal. NYC FC’s second goal in four minutes opens the first multi-goal lead for either side today. | It starts again with Pirlo, who finds Poku, who then finds Thomas McNamara in space at the top of the area. Within seconds he fires home a thunderous top-shelf goal. NYC FC’s second goal in four minutes opens the first multi-goal lead for either side today. |
| Updated at 4.26pm ET | Updated at 4.26pm ET |
| 4.17pm ET21:17 | 4.17pm ET21:17 |
| 68 min: Mix Diskerud on for Javier Calle. He’s listed as an international absence due to tonight’s Gold Cup final but, well, you know what happened there. | 68 min: Mix Diskerud on for Javier Calle. He’s listed as an international absence due to tonight’s Gold Cup final but, well, you know what happened there. |
| 4.16pm ET21:16 | 4.16pm ET21:16 |
| GOAL! New York City FC 3-2 Orlando City SC (David Villa, 67 min) | GOAL! New York City FC 3-2 Orlando City SC (David Villa, 67 min) |
| The sequence begins with Pirlo in a familiar deep-lying role slotting a pass to Kwadwo Poku, who finds David Villa at the top of the area. The Spaniard takes two dribbles to his right then uncorks a right-footed shot that deflects off an Orlando player into the net. His 12th goal of the year and New York City FC is back on top. | The sequence begins with Pirlo in a familiar deep-lying role slotting a pass to Kwadwo Poku, who finds David Villa at the top of the area. The Spaniard takes two dribbles to his right then uncorks a right-footed shot that deflects off an Orlando player into the net. His 12th goal of the year and New York City FC is back on top. |
| Updated at 4.27pm ET | Updated at 4.27pm ET |
| 4.09pm ET21:09 | 4.09pm ET21:09 |
| GOAL! New York City FC 2-2 Orlando City SC (Larin, 61 min) | GOAL! New York City FC 2-2 Orlando City SC (Larin, 61 min) |
| And it’s another for Larin! Carlos Rivas with a marauding run down the left flank, who finds an onrushing Larin making a run down the middle. The 20-year-old striker pounds it into the back of the net and we’re level at two goals apiece. | And it’s another for Larin! Carlos Rivas with a marauding run down the left flank, who finds an onrushing Larin making a run down the middle. The 20-year-old striker pounds it into the back of the net and we’re level at two goals apiece. |
| Updated at 4.29pm ET | Updated at 4.29pm ET |
| 4.07pm ET21:07 | 4.07pm ET21:07 |
| 56 min: The Andrea Pirlo era is under way. The longtime Milan, Juventus and Italy play-maker is enters the game for Mehdi Ballouchy. He high-fives Kaka as he takes his position deep in the midfield. | 56 min: The Andrea Pirlo era is under way. The longtime Milan, Juventus and Italy play-maker is enters the game for Mehdi Ballouchy. He high-fives Kaka as he takes his position deep in the midfield. |
| Updated at 4.48pm ET | Updated at 4.48pm ET |
| 4.02pm ET21:02 | 4.02pm ET21:02 |
| GOAL! New York City FC 2-1 Orlando City SC (Calle, 53 min) | GOAL! New York City FC 2-1 Orlando City SC (Calle, 53 min) |
| And just like that, NYC FC is back on top! Three New York players with some nice interplay up the right flank before a cross is sent through to an egregiously unmarked Javier Calle on the back post. He need just stick out his foot and redirect it into the gaping net for his first career MLS goal. The stadium is popping! | And just like that, NYC FC is back on top! Three New York players with some nice interplay up the right flank before a cross is sent through to an egregiously unmarked Javier Calle on the back post. He need just stick out his foot and redirect it into the gaping net for his first career MLS goal. The stadium is popping! |
| Updated at 4.29pm ET | Updated at 4.29pm ET |
| 3.59pm ET20:59 | 3.59pm ET20:59 |
| GOAL! New York City FC 1-1 Orlando City SC (Larin, 50 min) | GOAL! New York City FC 1-1 Orlando City SC (Larin, 50 min) |
| A long ball is flicked over the top on the right side to Larin, who takes two touches before thudding a shot past Saunders at the near post to level the match with 40 minutes remaining. It’s Larin’s seventh goal of the year. | A long ball is flicked over the top on the right side to Larin, who takes two touches before thudding a shot past Saunders at the near post to level the match with 40 minutes remaining. It’s Larin’s seventh goal of the year. |
| Updated at 4.30pm ET | Updated at 4.30pm ET |
| 3.55pm ET20:55 | 3.55pm ET20:55 |
| 46 min: The second half is under way with no substitutions for either side. And almost immediately two quick chances for NYC FC, one off a deflection and another from a set piece. | 46 min: The second half is under way with no substitutions for either side. And almost immediately two quick chances for NYC FC, one off a deflection and another from a set piece. |
| Updated at 3.55pm ET | Updated at 3.55pm ET |
| 3.38pm ET20:38 | 3.38pm ET20:38 |
| Half-time: New York City FC 1-0 Orlando City SC | Half-time: New York City FC 1-0 Orlando City SC |
| And that’s that for the first half but what a finish it was! New York City FC in excellent shape to inch closer to the playoffs with a 1-0 lead at the break. Could Pirlo’s debut be afoot? Stay tuned. | And that’s that for the first half but what a finish it was! New York City FC in excellent shape to inch closer to the playoffs with a 1-0 lead at the break. Could Pirlo’s debut be afoot? Stay tuned. |
| 3.37pm ET20:37 | 3.37pm ET20:37 |
| GOAL! New York City FC 1-0 Orlando City SC (David Villa, 45 min) | GOAL! New York City FC 1-0 Orlando City SC (David Villa, 45 min) |
| And out of nothing New York City FC is on top thanks to a wonderful goal from their captain. A long ball from Angelino is played into David Villa, who tames with ease, takes one touch then blasts it into the goal. Goalkeeper Tally Hall hardly even moved. It’s the Spaniard’s 11th goal of the season, which leaves him two behind league leader Kei Kamara. | And out of nothing New York City FC is on top thanks to a wonderful goal from their captain. A long ball from Angelino is played into David Villa, who tames with ease, takes one touch then blasts it into the goal. Goalkeeper Tally Hall hardly even moved. It’s the Spaniard’s 11th goal of the season, which leaves him two behind league leader Kei Kamara. |
| Updated at 3.47pm ET | Updated at 3.47pm ET |
| 3.29pm ET20:29 | 3.29pm ET20:29 |
| 40 min: Great to see Kaka and David Villa yelling at their team-mates and showing some passion. | 40 min: Great to see Kaka and David Villa yelling at their team-mates and showing some passion. |
| 3.27pm ET20:27 | 3.27pm ET20:27 |
| 38 min: Long cross to 18-year-old Angelino, who takes two touches in mid-air on the run and then thunders a left-footed shot to the far post. Just misses the target. | 38 min: Long cross to 18-year-old Angelino, who takes two touches in mid-air on the run and then thunders a left-footed shot to the far post. Just misses the target. |
| 3.26pm ET20:26 | 3.26pm ET20:26 |
| 37 min: Foul called against Orlando City in the scuffle. It’s NYC FC ball. | 37 min: Foul called against Orlando City in the scuffle. It’s NYC FC ball. |
| 3.25pm ET20:25 | 3.25pm ET20:25 |
| 36 min: Another corner kick conceded by NYC FC. Kaka to take it. | 36 min: Another corner kick conceded by NYC FC. Kaka to take it. |
| 3.23pm ET20:23 | 3.23pm ET20:23 |
| 34 min: A bit helter-skelter in front of the NYC FC goal but the chaos ends when Kaka slots a through ball to Larin, which he aims toward the far post and very nearly deposits into the goal. | 34 min: A bit helter-skelter in front of the NYC FC goal but the chaos ends when Kaka slots a through ball to Larin, which he aims toward the far post and very nearly deposits into the goal. |
| 3.21pm ET20:21 | 3.21pm ET20:21 |
| 31 min: A lazy backpass by Orlando City nearly invites disaster as Calle rushes it and nearly gets the goal on a deflection. Alas, it soars harmlessly over the net. | 31 min: A lazy backpass by Orlando City nearly invites disaster as Calle rushes it and nearly gets the goal on a deflection. Alas, it soars harmlessly over the net. |
| 3.19pm ET20:19 | 3.19pm ET20:19 |
| 29 min: David Villa’s corner is a throwaway. Orlando City back on the attack. | 29 min: David Villa’s corner is a throwaway. Orlando City back on the attack. |
| 3.17pm ET20:17 | 3.17pm ET20:17 |
| 28 min: NYC FC working it up the left flank on the counter-attack. A long, incisive ball forward is desperately cleared by an Orlando City defender past the goal line and the first corner of the match goes to NYC FC. David Villa to take it. | 28 min: NYC FC working it up the left flank on the counter-attack. A long, incisive ball forward is desperately cleared by an Orlando City defender past the goal line and the first corner of the match goes to NYC FC. David Villa to take it. |
| 3.16pm ET20:16 | 3.16pm ET20:16 |
| 26 min: Orlando City doing a bit more to threaten here, keeping the ball for longer periods on their attacking third, but it’s yet to translate to chances. | 26 min: Orlando City doing a bit more to threaten here, keeping the ball for longer periods on their attacking third, but it’s yet to translate to chances. |
| 3.11pm ET20:11 | 3.11pm ET20:11 |
| 23 min: Kaka’s perfectly struck free kick sails up and over the wall, but veers wide left of the target. Goal kick to NYC FC. | 23 min: Kaka’s perfectly struck free kick sails up and over the wall, but veers wide left of the target. Goal kick to NYC FC. |
| 3.10pm ET20:10 | 3.10pm ET20:10 |
| 22 min: Orlando City have another free kick here from a very dangerous area, several feet outside the area. Kaka lines up over the ball. | 22 min: Orlando City have another free kick here from a very dangerous area, several feet outside the area. Kaka lines up over the ball. |
| 3.10pm ET20:10 | 3.10pm ET20:10 |
| 20 min: Mehdi Ballouchy shown yellow for apparent foul of Kaka. He’s miss NYC FC’s next match due to accumulation. Orlando City nearly scores on a set piece directly after. | 20 min: Mehdi Ballouchy shown yellow for apparent foul of Kaka. He’s miss NYC FC’s next match due to accumulation. Orlando City nearly scores on a set piece directly after. |
| 3.08pm ET20:08 | 3.08pm ET20:08 |
| 16 min: Spotted on the NYC FC bench in street clothes: one Frank Lampard. Friday marked the one-year anniversary of his signing. | 16 min: Spotted on the NYC FC bench in street clothes: one Frank Lampard. Friday marked the one-year anniversary of his signing. |
| 3.04pm ET20:04 | 3.04pm ET20:04 |
| 14 min: A non-contact injury to NYC FC’s Chris Wingert – a mild hamstring sprain per team officials – forces Jason Kreis to use his first substitution far earlier than desired. Out goes Wingert, in comes Jefferson Mena. | 14 min: A non-contact injury to NYC FC’s Chris Wingert – a mild hamstring sprain per team officials – forces Jason Kreis to use his first substitution far earlier than desired. Out goes Wingert, in comes Jefferson Mena. |
| Updated at 3.04pm ET | Updated at 3.04pm ET |
| 3.02pm ET20:02 | 3.02pm ET20:02 |
| 12 min: A ball is played into Orlando’s Cyle Larin, who muscles for position with NYC FC’s Andrew Jacobson. Jacobson falls to the ground and Larin blasts it into the back of the net! But alas, the whistle sounds and Larin is called for a foul. Still scoreless. | 12 min: A ball is played into Orlando’s Cyle Larin, who muscles for position with NYC FC’s Andrew Jacobson. Jacobson falls to the ground and Larin blasts it into the back of the net! But alas, the whistle sounds and Larin is called for a foul. Still scoreless. |
| 2.58pm ET19:58 | 2.58pm ET19:58 |
| 8 min: No substantial chances for either side so far. | 8 min: No substantial chances for either side so far. |
| 2.57pm ET19:57 | 2.57pm ET19:57 |
| 5 min: Getting lots of emails about the camera angle and the seemingly narrow field. Yes, this is the narrowest pitch in MLS. Here’s a quick infographic with the particulars. | 5 min: Getting lots of emails about the camera angle and the seemingly narrow field. Yes, this is the narrowest pitch in MLS. Here’s a quick infographic with the particulars. |
| 2.51pm ET19:51 | 2.51pm ET19:51 |
| 3 min: Bit of a slow start as the teams trade possession early. Orlando City with a sloppy giveaway in the shadow of their own goal, but NYC FC can’t make them pay. | 3 min: Bit of a slow start as the teams trade possession early. Orlando City with a sloppy giveaway in the shadow of their own goal, but NYC FC can’t make them pay. |
| 2.50pm ET19:50 | 2.50pm ET19:50 |
| 1 min: And they’re off! NYC FC attacking from left to right in light blue shirts and white shorts, with Orlando City looking sharp in all-purple strips. (A$AP Rocky, who grew up just a subway ride away from Yankee Stadium, would be proud.) | 1 min: And they’re off! NYC FC attacking from left to right in light blue shirts and white shorts, with Orlando City looking sharp in all-purple strips. (A$AP Rocky, who grew up just a subway ride away from Yankee Stadium, would be proud.) |
| 2.48pm ET19:48 | 2.48pm ET19:48 |
| Anthem time | Anthem time |
| Yankee legend and noted classical guitarist Bernie Williams plays the national anthem – a few missed notes but an otherwise inspired rendition – and the players are out on the pitch. | Yankee legend and noted classical guitarist Bernie Williams plays the national anthem – a few missed notes but an otherwise inspired rendition – and the players are out on the pitch. |
| 2.40pm ET19:40 | 2.40pm ET19:40 |
| The procession is underway | The procession is underway |
| We’re about six minutes to kickoff. Not much longer now. | We’re about six minutes to kickoff. Not much longer now. |
| 2.34pm ET19:34 | 2.34pm ET19:34 |
| A good question | A good question |
| Teddy from Boston offers up this puzzler, via email: | Teddy from Boston offers up this puzzler, via email: |
| With Kaka and David Villa in the starting lineup and Andrea Pirlo expected to make his NYC FC debut in the second half, could this mark the first time three World Cup champions are on the field on the same time during an MLS game? | With Kaka and David Villa in the starting lineup and Andrea Pirlo expected to make his NYC FC debut in the second half, could this mark the first time three World Cup champions are on the field on the same time during an MLS game? |
| Can’t say with any certainty but it does ring true. What say you, gallery? | Can’t say with any certainty but it does ring true. What say you, gallery? |
| 2.13pm ET19:13 | 2.13pm ET19:13 |
| The teams! | The teams! |
| Here’s a look at today’s starting XIs. Andrea Pirlo is on the bench for NYC FC and there’s every indication he could make his debut as a second-half sub. | Here’s a look at today’s starting XIs. Andrea Pirlo is on the bench for NYC FC and there’s every indication he could make his debut as a second-half sub. |
| New York City FC: Saunders; Angelino, Wingert, Facey, Iraola; Calle, Jacobson, McNamara, Ballouchy; Poku, Villa | New York City FC: Saunders; Angelino, Wingert, Facey, Iraola; Calle, Jacobson, McNamara, Ballouchy; Poku, Villa |
| Orlando City SC: Hall, Ashe, St. Ledger, Hines, Collin, Avila; Ceren, Carrasco; Rivas, Kaka, Larin | Orlando City SC: Hall, Ashe, St. Ledger, Hines, Collin, Avila; Ceren, Carrasco; Rivas, Kaka, Larin |
| 2.09pm ET19:09 | 2.09pm ET19:09 |
| Preamble | Preamble |
| Good day and welcome to Yankee Stadium for today’s match between New York City FC and Orlando City SC. Lots at stake here with the visitors holding onto the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference and the hosts just three points adrift. With kickoff roughly 20 minutes away, we’ll have the team information for you shortly. | Good day and welcome to Yankee Stadium for today’s match between New York City FC and Orlando City SC. Lots at stake here with the visitors holding onto the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference and the hosts just three points adrift. With kickoff roughly 20 minutes away, we’ll have the team information for you shortly. |
| 1.40pm ET18:40 | 1.40pm ET18:40 |
| Bryan will be here shortly. In the meantime why not read Simon Evans’ lookahead to today’s rematch between Major League Soccer’s two newest sides: | Bryan will be here shortly. In the meantime why not read Simon Evans’ lookahead to today’s rematch between Major League Soccer’s two newest sides: |
| When Orlando City and New York City met at the Citrus Bowl in week one, back in March, there was global interest in the encounter. Two expansion teams were taking their first bow in the league and it was the first chance to see Kaka in action in purple and David Villa in sky blue. It felt like MLS was entering a new phase in its growth, and indeed over 60,000 fans turned out for a game which was given the full hype treatment on domestic and international television. It wasn’t a classic, but it was a game played with plenty of intensity, and there was drama, too, as Kaka’s deflected injury time free-kick cancelled out Mix Diskerud’s opener. | When Orlando City and New York City met at the Citrus Bowl in week one, back in March, there was global interest in the encounter. Two expansion teams were taking their first bow in the league and it was the first chance to see Kaka in action in purple and David Villa in sky blue. It felt like MLS was entering a new phase in its growth, and indeed over 60,000 fans turned out for a game which was given the full hype treatment on domestic and international television. It wasn’t a classic, but it was a game played with plenty of intensity, and there was drama, too, as Kaka’s deflected injury time free-kick cancelled out Mix Diskerud’s opener. |
| The two teams meet again this Sunday, at Yankee Stadium, and once again there is something special in the air, with Italian World Cup winner Andrea Pirlo possibly in line for a debut and former England captain Frank Lampard perhaps also ready for his first outing. | The two teams meet again this Sunday, at Yankee Stadium, and once again there is something special in the air, with Italian World Cup winner Andrea Pirlo possibly in line for a debut and former England captain Frank Lampard perhaps also ready for his first outing. |
| The words ‘possibly’ and ‘perhaps’ aren’t exactly in the spirit of hype, but given that Lampard has missed out on his two planned debuts due to a calf injury and that Pirlo only began training with Jason Kreis’s team this week, caution is necessary. | The words ‘possibly’ and ‘perhaps’ aren’t exactly in the spirit of hype, but given that Lampard has missed out on his two planned debuts due to a calf injury and that Pirlo only began training with Jason Kreis’s team this week, caution is necessary. |
| They may both be past their best, but there is still something exciting about the novelty of seeing two of the best midfielders in European football from the past decade and a half line up alongside each other for the first time. Anyone who paid attention to Serie A last season knows that Pirlo, never the quickest player, had to endure his legs no longer getting him away from opponents, but his unmatched passing skills remain undiminished. Lampard is in better shape and showed during moments last season that he still has the eye for goal and the wit and speed to make dangerous runs into scoring positions. | They may both be past their best, but there is still something exciting about the novelty of seeing two of the best midfielders in European football from the past decade and a half line up alongside each other for the first time. Anyone who paid attention to Serie A last season knows that Pirlo, never the quickest player, had to endure his legs no longer getting him away from opponents, but his unmatched passing skills remain undiminished. Lampard is in better shape and showed during moments last season that he still has the eye for goal and the wit and speed to make dangerous runs into scoring positions. |
| With Pirlo playing at the bottom of the midfield and Lampard surely given licence to get forward in support of Villa, there shouldn’t be a compatibility problem, although it remains to be seen how Diskerud fits into the plan. He can probably expect to cover a lot of ground. | With Pirlo playing at the bottom of the midfield and Lampard surely given licence to get forward in support of Villa, there shouldn’t be a compatibility problem, although it remains to be seen how Diskerud fits into the plan. He can probably expect to cover a lot of ground. |
| If there is one area where Pirlo and Lampard might get in each other’s way, it is the matter of free-kicks, in which they both specialize, although Kreis would no doubt be quick with the managerial cliché about that being the kind of problem you are happy to have. | If there is one area where Pirlo and Lampard might get in each other’s way, it is the matter of free-kicks, in which they both specialize, although Kreis would no doubt be quick with the managerial cliché about that being the kind of problem you are happy to have. |
| The pair will have to start making an impact soon however. NYC FC are in penultimate position in the East, three points behind Adrian Heath’s Orlando, who currently occupy the final play-off position. While there will surely be a big crowd and plenty of excitement in the Bronx on Sunday, the likely lack of sharpness of NYFC’s new arrivals means this might not be a bad time for an Orlando team that has clearly gelled much quicker than their opponents, to visit New York in search of three points. | The pair will have to start making an impact soon however. NYC FC are in penultimate position in the East, three points behind Adrian Heath’s Orlando, who currently occupy the final play-off position. While there will surely be a big crowd and plenty of excitement in the Bronx on Sunday, the likely lack of sharpness of NYFC’s new arrivals means this might not be a bad time for an Orlando team that has clearly gelled much quicker than their opponents, to visit New York in search of three points. |