3 things we learned from NYCFC's goal-heavy win against Orlando City SC

On a cloudy and chilly March afternoon, although warm compared to the winter, New York City FC hosted Orlando City SC in the home opener for the 2026 season.  The Boys in Blue welcomed fans back to Yankee Stadium for the first time since the first round of the MLS Cup Playoffs, last playing in the Bronx on November 1, 2025.  The goal was to continue their great record for home openers, and they did so in style.

NYCFC won 5-0 against the Lions, dominating the match.  The visitors, from the opening moment, could not really get into the game, and things went from bad to worse when their goalkeeper, Maxime Crépeau, made a mistake that deserves to be in a goalkeeper's hall of shame.  While this does not happen often, the ball was carried outside of the box before dropping it.  The referee saw the action clearly, and that meant an immediate red card.  So, the Pigeons played up a man after he was sent off in the 16th minute.

While there is no question that NYCFC would have scored at least a few goals, that moment sparked the players to score five goals between the 22nd minute and the 54th minute.  Agustín Ojeda, Nicolás Fernández Mercau, and Maxi Moralez scored in the first half, with Moralez assisting on his fellow Argentines’ goals.  Then, Keaton Parks scored a brace within five minutes to seal the win in the second half. 

The home opener was everything fans could have wished for.  Hence, here are three things we learned from NYCFC’s win over Orlando.

Agustín Ojeda is growing up

When Ojeda was signed in 2024, fans knew he was someone with potential who could one day be influential in the final third.  He was young, for he was 19, and it was easy to be patient.  In his first season, he had under 1,000 minutes in the regular season, but had three goals and two assists.  Then, last season, he had over 1,300 minutes, did not score, but had five assists.  His overall play showed improvement.

But since last year, Ojeda has looked even better.  His tactical work on the pitch is more defined, and he is more confident with his play.  And, three games in, he has an assist and a goal to his name.  And as fans know, he scored the first goal against Orlando.

The goal was fantastic, too.  The winger kicked the ball into the ground like he was going to do a karate kick, and it bounced into the goal with ferocity.

But the whole night, he was playing like the player he is supposed to be.  Ojeda has grown up big time over the last year, and he is really turning into a solid winger.  The hope is that he will not fall into a poor stretch and continue to develop throughout 2026.  Plus, with Alonso Martínez out for a long time due to injury, NYCFC needs players like Ojeda to score goals.

NYCFC took advantage of the situation

Early in the game, it was easy to tell that the Lions were not playing to the level that they needed to play to compete with the Boys in Blue.  Then, when the visitors went down to ten men, they just completely fell apart.  This allowed NYCFC to, in a sense, secure a hold on the match and continue to dominate throughout most of the 90 minutes.  Sure, Orlando had some chances here and there, but they were lackluster at best.

The good news is that the Pigeons took advantage of the red card and did not back down or take it easy until after the fifth goal.  But even then, they still tried for one more, fighting until the very end.  And, more importantly, they did enough to secure the three points.

In the match against the LA Galaxy, NYCFC struggled to be clinical on the goal and to score at least a second goal.  The Pigeons were not able to take advantage like they did this weekend, and that cost them.  Hence, the fact that they did not repeat that outcome provides some hope about the team.

Is it too early to be excited about NYCFC?

The Bronx side is unbeaten in their first three games with two wins and a draw.  This was an unexpected start to the season, and with the issue of not having a starting striker, this is a great outcome.  NYCFC also dismantled Orlando, and scoring five times was unexpected.

Therefore, some might be excited about the team and that they will be able to compete with the top sides in Major League Soccer.  Players are stepping up, and the offense has already improved in three matches.  But is it too soon?  Could these results lie with a little luck?

The problem is that it is too early to tell.  The Pigeons might be on their way to having a great season.  But it could also take just one game to throw them off the path of success.  Remember, this is a team that has gone through stretches of poor play and great play.  The fantastic start could easily be washed away with a losing streak.

NYCFC fans can be happy about the current results.  At the same time, they must be wary and should not get too excited.  The real test will be whether they can continue this form, and everyone must see how they play against the best of the best teams in MLS.