NYCFC reached the quarterfinals of the Open Cup for the first time thanks to victories over North Carolina FC and D.C. United and made a second trip to the Orlando in 2019, following the MLS opening day draw.
Dome Torrent welcomed Héber back to the starting XI after the Brazilian’s hamstring injury, while Jesus Medina and Juan Pablo Torres also came back into the lineup.
Coming into this one on the back of Sunday’s 1-0 defeat to the Portland Timbers, NYCFC’s motivation to reach the semifinals of the U.S. Open Cup was evident from the first whistle.
After some early pressure from the Boys in Blue, it was Maxime Chanot who had the game’s first good opportunity with a header from a corner but Adam Grinwis made an incredible save to keep it out and Jesus Medina nodded the rebound over the crossbar.
City kept their foot to the floor but were unable to take advantage of some promising openings and Chris Mueller almost struck for the home team when his deflected strike wrongfooted Brad Stuver but whistled past the post.
From there, the Lions grew into the game and finished the first half the stronger of the two teams but NYC’s defense was solid and withstood the increased pressure they faced.
Newly-crowned June MLS Player of the Month Maxi Moralez almost sent his side in with a goal on the stroke of halftime but his shot from range just cleared the bar.
The game picked up where it left off after the break with the road team facing up to more Orlando pressure, with a Nani set-piece pinballing around the area before City could eventually clear.
Finally, the hosts did breakthrough when Nani’s cross found Mueller’s head on 62’ and Brad Stuver was beaten.
Dome’s reaction was immediate. With Torres forced off with an injury, Torrent changed the system to something resembling a 4-2-3-1, Bringing Keaton Parks into the midfield alongside Alex Ring and Ebenezer Ofori.
Taty Castellanos was next to enter the fray on 73’ as Héber was withdrawn on his return. After a hydration break and some final instructions from the Head Coach, City had 15 minutes remaining to keep their cup dreams alive.
Anton Tinnerholm was the final introduction from the bench and the Swede was closest to equalizing with one minute of regulation time remaining, but his header just cleared the crossbar and it looked like NYCFC had run out of time.
Step forward Maxi, who swept home from close range in the very last minute of injury-time to force wild celebrations and an extra 30 minutes.
Justin Haak came into the game as the additional substitute in the second half of extra time but it was Castellanos who almost secured City’s place in the last four with a curling effort which looked bound for the top corner until it was once again brilliantly saved by the home ‘keeper.
The teams couldn’t be separated in normal time so we went to penalties where Orlando took it in sudden death after Maxime Chanot saw his effort saved by Grinwis.
Other news - Focus
Other news
- 13:35 One absent for New York City FC for the trip to Charlotte
- 13:29 New York City FC 2024 team numbers confirmed
- 16:52 Three Keys of NYCFC 0-0 Red Bulls
- 16:23 NYCFC 0-0 Red Bulls, Cushing: "Incredible atmosphere at Yankee Stadium"
- 01:20 The Knicks can sacrifice Immanuel Quickley for a star
- 00:01 Maxi Moralez: "I can't wait to be reunited with the fans"
- 23:00 Maxi Moralez back to NYCFC: "I couldn’t be more excited"
- 22:03 David Lee: "Maxi will bring leadership and experience to our group"
- 22:00 OFFICIAL - Maxi Moralez Returns to New York City Football Club
- 13:00 David Lee: "We're excited to integrate Fernandez into the team"
- 07:20 NYCFC Signs Argentinian Forward Julián Fernández
- 15:30 Bernardeschi can leave Toronto: there is interest from an Italian club
- 14:30 Los Angeles Galaxy crazy offer to Hriving Lozano
- 13:42 CR7: "Saudi Pro League is much better than the MLS"
- 18:44 NYCFC, failing season. The trend needs to be reversed
- 17:27 Birk Risa: "I'm happy to be here, I can't wait to get started"
- 15:39 OFFICIAL - NYCFC Signs Norwegian Defender Birk Risa
- 13:44 Taty Castellanos moves to Lazio
- 13:40 Inter Miami, Alba también se sumará al proyecto
- 23:36 OFFICIAL - Inter Miami, Gerardo Martino named new coach
- 22:58 Timothy Weah has landed in Turin, he will be a Juventus player
- 22:56 OFFICIAL - Kai Havertz is a new Arsenal player
- 15:30 Bayern Munich on Kane, there is an agreement on the contract but not the one with Tottenham
- 14:30 West Ham reject Arsenal's third offer for Rice. Manchester City are considering withdrawing from the auction
- 13:24 Mbappé at Real, the striker's mother-agent is the key: she will be the one to deal with PSG
- 19:15 OFFICIAL - "Welcome to Finnesota". Center forward Pukki restarts from MLS
- 19:13 OFFICIAL - Mateo Kovacic leaves Chelsea and signs with Man City
- 18:30 AC Milan wants Pulisic. Berhalter advises the US midfielder
- 18:00 West Ham: 100 million not enough for Declan Rice, rejected offers from Arsenal and Man City
- 17:30 Timothy Weah moves to Italy
- 17:00 NYCFC may pursue former Vancouver Whitecaps player
- 16:30 Antoine Griezmann wants to play in MLS and rejects the offer from Saudi Arabia
- 15:59 Keaton Parks: "I'm happy to be able to do goal and assist"
- 15:32 Bayern Munich, formal offer for Harry Kane
- 15:23 Andrea Pirlo returns to Italy, signs with Sampdoria
- 13:28 Manchester City's Champions League win could impact NYCFC's future
- 12:00 James Sands Selected To Represent The USMNT At The 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup
- 08:30 Lionel Messi lands in the MLS: pros and cons
- 23:48 Real Salt Lake vs NYCFC: one player unavailable for Cushing
- 23:46 NYCFC, Cushing: “We’re Desperate For The First Road Win"
- 22:34 MLS statement on Lionel Messi and Inter Miami CF
- 21:54 OFFICIAL - Messi is a new player of Inter Miami FC
- 19:09 Messi's signing with Inter Miami FC