NYCFC Vs. Orlando City SC 03/08/25
NYCFC Earns First Win of the Season with 2-1 Victory Over Orlando City SC
New York City FC came out on top in a thrilling 2-1 win over Orlando City SC last Saturday, marking their first victory of the season. Goals from Alonso Martinez and Hannes Wolf were enough to secure the three points, despite a late red card for Kevin O'Toole in the 86th minute after picking up his second yellow card.
The boys in blue dominated possession throughout the match, holding 55% of the ball compared to Orlando’s 45%. The control of possession allowed NYCFC to dictate the tempo of the game and carve out several key opportunities, with their defensive shape holding firm against Orlando's attacking threats.
Player Ratings:
Here are the ratings for some of NYCFC's standout players, as provided by FotMob:
Alonso Martinez: 8.1
Hannes Wolf: 7.6
Julian Fernandez: 7.7
Jonathan Shore: 8.0
Maxi Moralez: 8.0
Keaton Parks: 7.8
Kevin O'Toole: 6.2
Mitja Ilenic: 7.1
Thiago Martins: 7.4
Justin Haak: 7.5
Matt Freese: 7.0
Agustin Ojeda: 6.3
Monsef Bakrar: 6.2
Hannes Wolf – Deserved Rating or Not?
In my honest opinion, Hannes Wolf’s rating of 7.6 doesn’t quite reflect the full picture of his performance. While Hannes did score a goal, his overall contribution was lacking. He registered 0 successful dribbles and had a 74% passing accuracy, which is far from impressive. Additionally, he struggled in duels, losing 12 and winning just 1. While he did score, I don’t think his overall play justifies such a high rating.
Jonathan Shore – A Standout Performance
On the other hand, Jonathan Shore was a revelation in his first-ever MLS start for NYCFC. He was the standout player of the match and my Man of the Match (MOTM) with his solid defensive performance. Shore won 7 duels and lost just 3, showcasing his ability to fight for possession and break up Orlando’s attacks. He also displayed great composure in possession, with a 78% passing accuracy. His defensive stability and link-up play with teammates were crucial in NYCFC’s control of the game. I wouldn’t be surprised if he earns another start next match against the New England Revolution.
Julian Fernandez – Making a Statement
Julian Fernandez also had an impressive outing in his first start of the season. Not only did he grab his first assist for NYCFC, but he also showed that he’s a key figure moving forward. He was able to penetrate Orlando’s defense multiple times and was a constant threat going forward. With his performance, Julian has proven that he’s not someone to be overlooked, and it wouldn't be surprising to see him in the starting lineup again against New England.
Looking Ahead
Overall, it was a strong team performance from NYCFC, with plenty of standout individual displays. With the win, the team will be looking to build on this momentum as they prepare for their next matchup against the New England Revolution. That wraps up my first article for NYCFC.FanCave – I’m excited to continue bringing you updates after each game. Stay tuned for more!
