BRONX, NEW YORK (SMI-GLOBAL-LATIN-SPORTS-03.08-09.2025)-Forwards Alonso Martinez & Hannes Wolf(Austria) scored two-goal in the second half as NYCFC defeats Orlando City FC 2-1, on its 2025 Home Opener, and celebration of Franchise 10-year anniversary at the Legendary Yankees Stadium.

Prior to the start of the game, Legendary & Global Italian-Soccer Icon & former NYCFC player " Andrea Pirlo"  alongside fellow alumni Kwadwo Poku, Tony Rocha and R.J. Allen attended the game to commemorate the anniversary.

After scoreless half without finding the back of the net on either team,
NYC FC began the second half with a counter-attacks through the right-side field, forward Alonso Fernandez shot a right-footed from inside the 18', bouncing-off goalkeeper P. Gallese's glove to Maxi Morales who gave it to Julian Fernandez and shot a left-footed hitting wide of the right-goal post at 49' mark.

The Boys in Blue kept the pressure and 10' minute later, striker Alonso Fernandez opened the score after Maxi Moralez shot a rolling right-footed from 24-yards, hitting the left-side goalpost, and Fernandez tapping the loose ball inside back of the net for his first goal of the season and put NYCFC 1-0, at 49' mark.

Orlando City FC answered back with the equalizer 10' minute later with a counter-attack through the right-side field, Luis Muriel passed the ball to forward Marco Pasalic and gave it back to Muriel who ran inside the 18' and scored with canon right-footed to the opposite goalpost to tie the game 1-1, at 69' minute of the second half.

Two minutes later, with the crowd chanting, and getting loud supporting the home team, striker Hannes Wolf scored the goal to make it 2-1, and seal the victory for the Citizens over Orlando City.

The goal play was originated through the left-side field, Hannes Wolf passed the ball to Alonso Martinez who shot a right-footed from outside the box (24-yards away) bouncing-off goalkeeper Gallese's gloves back to Julian Fernandez who  
centered from the inside the 6-yard box to Wolf and scored with a header at the 72' mark for the final score of 2-1, NYCFC over Orlando City.

With the win, NYCFC gained its first victory and 3-points of the season.
The Citizens will face New England next March 15, at Yankees Stadium 
to closed-out its two-homestead games.

Article & Photo By Marcello Cutti II/Starlight Illustrated