MLS Preseason 2021: NYCFC down Orlando City SC, Alexandre Pato off the mark

New York City FC entered the win column during the 2021 MLS preseason, beating fellow Eastern Conference side Orlando City SC 3-2 on Thursday during a closed-door scrimmage.

The Lions suffered their first setback after previously beating the Philadelphia Union, though big-name signing Alexandre Pato scored during his first preseason match with the club, equalizing at 2-2 in the 65th minute. The Brazilian striker arrived in February on a one-year deal as a free agent, last playing for Sao Paulo FC, and could strengthen what’s already one of the league’s stronger attacks. 

NYCFC were led by forward Valentin Castellanos, who scored from a 7th-minute penalty kick and got a 67th-minute game-winner via service from outside back Gudmundur Thorarinsson. They also got a first-half penalty-kick goal from Jesus Medina, with homegrown winger Andres Jasson drawing both spot kicks. 

Castellanos, after NYCFC dropped a 2-1 match to Chicago Fire FC earlier this preseason, is rounding into form upon scoring a team-leading six goals a season ago. Jasson signed last November, with the US youth international proving lively and dangerous ahead of his first professional season.

Orlando City also got a goal from center back Robin Jansson, who partnered with Antonio Carlos during the 2020 campaign. Otherwise, club-shared photos showed winger Chris Mueller and midfielder Oriol Rosell featuring for the Lions.

A season ago, NYCFC and Orlando City met in Round One of the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs. The Lions won a memorable penalty-kick shootout, 6-5, after a 1-1 draw. The clubs are respectively entering their second years with Ronny Deila and Oscar Pareja as head coach.

Goals

• 7' – NYC – Valentin Castellanos
• 39' – NYC – Jesus Medina
• 43' – ORL – Robin Jansson
• 65' – ORL – Alexandre Pato
• 67' – NYC – Valentin Castellanos

Lineups

New York City FC (4-2-3-1): Luis Barraza (Cody Mizell) – Tayvon Gray (Ben Di Rosa), Maxime Chanot (Vuk Latinovich), Vuk Latinovich (Sebastien Ibeagha), Gudmundur Thorarinsson (Dren Dobruna) – James Sands (Keaton Parks), Tony Rocha – Jesus Medina (Diego Rossi), Ismael Tajouri-Shradi (Nicolas Acevedo), Andres Jasson (Cooper Flax) – Valentin Castellanos (Mark Cajamarca)

Orlando City SC: No lineup details were immediately available from the closed-door match