Fresh off of their well-earned draw against Toronto FC, the New York Red Bulls head home to face off against an Orlando City SC squad that was unbeaten in eleven straight matches. Back on October 3rd, the Lions dispatched the Red Bulls 3-1 at Exploria Stadium.
Caden Clark has been providing both the team's buzz and excitement by scoring two goals in his first two appearances with the team; the 17-year old midfielder is the youngest player in league history to do so.
The Red Bulls deployed their standard high-press right from kickoff, forcing Orlando City to make mistakes on offense and defense. However, they could not capitalize on those opportunities, as Caden Clark's shot from a distance went high and over the bar in the 21st minute. By the 29th minute of the half, Orlando City began to settle down and take control of the match, as Nani's freekick was perfectly served in the box, but Mueller headed the ball wide to the left of the net.
Orlando City almost got on the scoreboard as Nani found himself wide open and only Ryan Meara between him and the net. Still, Ryan would make an excellent save with his left leg, denying Nani and keeping the match scoreless as the half came to a close.
In the 55th minute, Orlando forward Daryl Dike took the ball from a throw-in, started dancing in the box, and defender Amro Tarek stuck out his leg, fouling Dike in the box, earning a penalty. Shortly thereafter, Nani converted the penalty kick for his fifth goal of the season to put the Lions on the scoreboard, 1-0.
Orlando City nearly made it a two-goal advantage in the 67th minute when on a break, Mueller took a pass from Andreas Perea but was stopped by Jared Stroud, who backtracked and kept the Red Bulls in the match.
The Red Bulls would press for the equalizer. Still, Orlando City was just too organized and disciplined to give New York anything to build on - That is until just five minutes into stoppage time, during a wild sequence that saw the ball headed around in the box until it finally fell at the feet of Briain White, who would then score the equalizer the Red Bulls desperately needed to earn a point and avoided the fifth loss in six straight games at home.
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