New York City FC 1, Orlando City SC 2 | 2017 MLS Match Recap

Cyle Larin loves the big city. 

Orlando City SC's star striker struck twice to guide his side past New York City FC 2-1 at Yankee Stadium on Sunday afternoon, continuing his dazzling goalscoring history against both of MLS' New York clubs. Larin has now scored 13 goals overall against NYCFC and the Red Bulls, including nine goals in seven games vs. City overall and six in four visits to the Bronx.

The Canadian international slotted home a pretty Lions passing move in the first half, then outmuscled Rodney Wallace to thump a firm header past Sean Johnson to build a 2-0 lead.

David Villa struck on a lovely orchestrated set piece to halve the deficit and set up a tense finish. But Orlando hung on desperately and saw out a valuable road win.

• Big Apple beast: all 10 of Cyle Larin's goals at NYCFC, New York
• Sweet revenge in NYC? Not for Orlando's Kreis – though his history helped

Goals

• 31' – ORL – Cyle Larin Watch
• 51' – ORL – Larin Watch
• 74' – NYC – David Villa Watch

Three Things

1. LARIN DEVOURS THE BIG APPLE: The 2015 MLS Rookie of the Year hails from greater Toronto, Canada's No. 1 metropolis; perhaps that's why he feels so at home in and around the largest city in the United States. Larin previously bagged hat tricks at both Yankee Stadium and Red Bull Arena, and on Sunday he was razor-sharp, showing off the broad extent of his skillset to help coach Jason Kreis taste victory against his former team.
2. HARRISON HANDCUFFED: Orlando were determined not to let Jack Harrison beat them along the flanks, and it served them well (view OPTA maps here). Fullbacks Scott Sutter and Donny Toia were solid 1v1 vs. the NYCFC winger and got plenty of cover and support from their teammates. City boss Patrick Vieira would switch Harrison to the left flank, but the young English talent still struggled to provide his usual incision and his team suffered from it.
3. LIONS' PRIDE TAKES SHAPE: This win was OCSC's third straight and fifth of the season, running them to a 5-1 start, and it mirrored their previous victories. The Lions have yet to score more than two goals in a game, and are yet to win a game by more than a one-goal margin. Kreis has instilled a steely resolve in this previously wobbly group. 

Next Up

• NYC: Saturday, April 29 – at Columbus (7:30 pm ET | MLS LIVE)
• ORL: Saturday, April 29 – vs. Colorado (3:55 pm ET | UniMás, facebook.com in US, MLS LIVE in Canada)