Kaka's late free-kick equalizer helps Orlando City draw NYCFC
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) -- Orlando City's Kaka scored in extra time to give the Lions a 1-1 tie with New York City FC in the expansion teams' first Major League Soccer game Sunday in front of an announced crowd of 62,510.
New York appeared to be to be on its way to the victory in the 76th minute when Mix Diskerud took a pass from David Villa just outside 18-yard box, pushed it with one touch inside the box and rifled a curling shot that sneaked inside the far post.
But in the 91st minute, Orlando was awarded a free kick after Kevin Molino was fouled 10 yards outside the box. On the ensuing play, Kaka got it past Josh Saunders on a deflection off New York's wall.
Orlando City defense was able to keep Villa - New York's captain and first designated player - contained for most of the game by staying in tight formations defensively when the ball was played in his vicinity.
But that changed in the second half, as New York began to press the action on Orlando's side of the field.
New York had just three shots on goal in the first half, but five in the second. Orlando's attack was steady throughout, finishing the game with 15 shots on goal - seven in the first half and eight in the second.
Saunders finished with three saves, staying in the game despite a pair of plays that left him bruised and bloodied.
The first incident came in the 14th minute, when he hit his head falling backward on the goalpost while defending a ball played in from the sideline by Orlando's Lewis Neal.
Then, in the 62nd minute blood streamed from Saunders head after he was kicked above the ear by Orlando's Carlos Rivas, who was trying to play a ball played to the top of the box.
Prior to the goal Orlando's best chance of the day came in the 38th minute of the first half with Kaka got a clean shot from about 20 yards out off a cross into the box. But the ball was played right into the body of Saunders, who made the block.
MLS Commissioner Don Garber called Sunday's turnout ''unbelievable'' and said that the league should announce its next round of expansion within 45 days. It was previously announced that new franchises from Atlanta and Los Angeles would join the league in 2017.
