Gabriel Segal comes through late as NYCFC, Orlando City draw

Updated: Oct 12, 2023, 06:18 am

Rookie forward Gabriel Segal scored his first MLS goal at the perfect time, delivering the 89th-minute equalizer to let New York City FC draw with host Orlando City SC 1-1 on Wednesday night.

New York City FC (4-5-4, 16 points) ended a streak of four straight losses in all competitions, all coming on the road.

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Ercan Kara scored in the seventh minute for Orlando (4-4-4, 16 points), and the Lions defended the lead most of the way but never extended it.

With time ticking away, NYCFC's Talles Magno got in front of a lazy pass in Orlando's end. Segal snuck between defenders, stretched for a pass from Magno in the center of the box and sent it past Orlando goalkeeper Pedro Gallese.

Gallese made five saves while battling an apparent hand injury. Luis Barraza recorded three saves for NYCFC.

Orlando failed to secure what would have been its first victory since April 29.

Kara opened the scoring with his third goal of the season, all of which have come in the past four matches. Robin Jansson set up Gaston Gonzalez for a cross toward the near post, and Kara headed it home.

NYCFC forward Matias Pellegrini came up limping and subbed out in the ninth minute, with Magno replacing him.

NYCFC did not challenge Gallese until shots on goal in the 34th and 36th minute. On the former, Magno sent a grounder into the box and Gallese made a diving punch save. He hurt his right hand on the play and play was delayed for three minutes while he was tended to, but he remained in the match.

After possession was roughly even during the first half, NYCFC held more of the ball in the second, especially during the final 15-plus minutes. Gabriel Pereira fired a left-footed shot for NYCFC from well outside the box during the 75th minute, but Gallese made the diving stop.

Segal had his first look at the net in the 87th minute but missed wide before coming up with the equalizer.

Despite trailing most of the game, NYCFC finished with a 14-10 shot advantage and a 6-4 edge in shots on goal.