Urso propels streaking Orlando City past Red Bulls

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:13 am

Junior Urso scored the game-winning goal in the 50th minute and Orlando City SC extended their team-record unbeaten streak to nine games on Saturday with a 3-1 victory over the visiting New York Red Bulls.

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Orlando City (8-2-5, 29 points) improved to 6-0-3 in their past nine matches, although they sweated out various points of Saturday's final 40-plus minutes after Urso scored.

Urso gave Orlando City a 2-0 lead by capitalizing on a turnover by New York defender Jason Pendant. Urso sped up the field, accepted a pass from Chris Mueller and lifted a shot into the left side of the net.

After Urso scored, Orlando City struggled at times with their defense.

New York scored four minutes later after a careless clearing attempt by Orlando City defender Kamal Miller. Miller's pass was intercepted by Florian Valot, who traded passes with Daniel Royer before easily scored his third goal.

After Valot scored, the Red Bulls were unable to capitalize on numerous chances -- including one sequence in the 78th minute.

Miller was called for a hand ball, giving New York a free kick. The Red Bulls nearly tied the game when goalkeeper Pedro Gallese dove across the box to stop Marc Rzatkowski's right-footed shot.

Following Rzatkowski's missed chance, the Red Bulls had another chance but Valot's point-blank try sailed wide.

Daryl Dike scored Orlando's other goal while Gallese stopped two shots as Orlando improved to 6-0-2 when scoring first.

Antonio Carlos scored in the final minute of stoppage time after officials overturned an offsides call on video review.

Coming off consecutive games with four goals, New York (6-7-2, 20 points) was unable to get a third straight win. The Red Bulls had 11 shots but only three on target and could not do much with its 30 crosses.

Red Bulls goalkeeper David Jensen made two saves.

Orlando went up in the 24th minute on a strong passing sequence where three players moved the ball across the field to Dike, who was positioned in the center of the box. Dike eluded New York defender Aaron Long and lifted a header past Jensen.

Orlando nearly scored again about a minute later but Jensen raced out of the box to stop Mueller's point-blank try.