HARRISON, N.J. (March 15, 2025) – Orlando City SC faced off against the New York Red Bulls at Sports Illustrated Stadium and came away with a 2-2 draw. This match, part of the Major League Soccer (MLS) season, saw both teams showcase their offensive and defensive skills, highlighting key players and tactical decisions from their respective coaches.
Orlando City SC started strong, with Martín Ojeda finding the back of the net just 18 minutes in. After receiving a flick from Luis Muriel, Ojeda powered through the Red Bulls' defense and launched a shot from outside the penalty area, scoring his second goal of the season. This goal elevated his standing to 15 career goals for Orlando across all competitions.
Despite this early lead, the match took a turn when Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting equalized for the Red Bulls with a penalty kick in the 29th minute. The penalty was awarded after video review confirmed contact between Choupo-Moting and Orlando’s Robin Jansson. While Pedro Gallese, Orlando's goalkeeper, guessed correctly, he couldn’t prevent the ball from slipping inside the left post, leveling the score at 1-1. Orlando City Head Coach Oscar Pareja expressed dissatisfaction with the penalty call, stating, "The boys were very annoyed by the decision. I have to see it again. The common word in the locker room was it was very unfair, but nothing we can do now."
Orlando managed to regain the advantage just before halftime when Marco Pašalić scored from close-range after receiving a long ball from Eduard Atuesta. The goal, which came just ten minutes after Choupo-Moting's equalizer, showcased Orlando's attacking prowess as Pašalić found space behind the defense to score and make it 2-1. Choupo-Moting and his teammates weren’t deterred, and following halftime adjustments, they quickly equalized again. Just two minutes after the restart, Dennis Gjengaar scored for New York, redirecting Peter Stroud's cross past Gallese to tie the match once more, highlighting Orlando’s defensive vulnerabilities. Gjengaar's goal was particularly significant as it marked his first of the season.
Throughout the match, both teams showed signs of fatigue, and defensive lapses plagued Orlando. Joran Gerbet, who made his professional debut for Orlando, reflected on the team’s coordination, stating, "We know about our errors defensively, and this is not just defenders... This is the whole group conceding goals, and we need to improve."
Goalkeeper Carlos Coronel displayed remarkable athleticism, especially late in the match, where he prevented several potential goals from Orlando. With saved shots from both Ramiro Enrique and Rafael Santos during stoppage time, Coronel solidified his role as New York’s backbone and kept the match tied at 2-2. New York finished with 55.7% possession and 83.1% passing accuracy, demonstrating their control during stretches of the game, yet Orlando fought back to equal the shot attempts at 15 each.
After the match, Pareja praised his team’s performance offensively, stating, “A competitive game, and I thought our boys today implemented another gear on the challenges we had—not just defensively but offensively. I thought the amount of opportunities we created kept us optimistic.” His sentiments were echoed by Gerbet, who acknowledged the need for improved communication and energy going forward.
Despite the draw, Orlando City SC walked away feeling mixed emotions. The equal point allows them to maintain momentum, sitting at 1-2-1 with four points this early season, but they will reflect on the need to improve their defense, having conceded ten goals across just four matches. They also look to bounce back when they face D.C. United on March 22, with hopes of turning around their season after troubling defensive performances.
Meanwhile, the New York Red Bulls, now 1-1-2 with five points, are taking pride in their ability to secure results without exhibiting their full attacking potential, as they only netted twice over the first four matches of the season. They aim to continue building on their defensive successes as they prepare for their upcoming match against Toronto FC.
The match yielded valuable insights for both teams as they navigate the early MLS season, reflecting on errors made and strategies to refine heading forward. Players adapt and grow through each encounter, and as both teams prepare for their respective upcoming matches, the stakes are higher to secure victories and maintain competitive standings within their divisions.