Orlando beats NYCFC in Union’s group, Chicago surprises Seattle at MLS tournament

KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Chris Mueller scored twice in the opening 10 minutes and Orlando City won its second game of the MLS is Back tournament, beating New York City FC 3-1 Tuesday night.

The result combined with the Union’s win over Inter Miami clinched berths in the round of 16 for both winners.

Mueller got his first in the fourth minute, scoring on a free kick from Joao Moutinho that never hit the ground. He added a second goal in the 10th minute to give Orlando a 2-0 lead. Mueller has three goals in the tournament.

NYCFC got a goal from Jesus Medina in the first half. Orlando's Tesho Akindele scored late to seal it.

Orlando City was coming off a 2-1 victory over Inter Miami in the tournament opener. Nani scored the game winner in stoppage time.

NYCFC lost 1-0 to the Philadelphia Union in its opening match of the tournament. The loss was all the more disheartening because Maxi Morales, the league's assist leader last season, sustained a quad injury and could miss several weeks.

NYCFC challenged Orlando in the 30th minute but goalkeeper Pedro Gallese dove to deny Gudmundur Thorarinsson. It pulled a goal back in the 38th minute on Medina's blast from outside the box into the top corner.

Akindele's header wrapped up scoring in the 81st minute.

NYCFC midfielder Alex Ring made his 100th MLS appearance.

Rookie Mauricio Pineda scored in the 84th minute to give the Chicago Fire a 2-1 victory over the Seattle Sounders on Tuesday in the MLS is Back tournament.

Wide open at the back post, Pineda caught Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei off guard after Seattle's Handwalla Bwana scored in the 77th minute to knot the score at 1-all.

Robert Beric's goal put the Fire up after a scoreless first half. It was his second goal for the Fire this season — his first came in a season-opening loss to the defending champion Sounders.

Tuesday’s match was the tournament opener for the Fire, who were shifted to a new group after FC Dallas and Nashville SC had to withdraw because of positive COVID-19 tests. The Sounders played to a scoreless draw against the San Jose Earthquakes to open the tournament.

Seattle’s Jordan Morris started on the bench against Chicago but subbed in after a scoreless first half.

The Fire threatened in the 32nd minute when Frei grabbed Przemyslaw Frankowski's header. Frei also deftly punched away a dangerous Chicago free kick in the 42nd minute.

But he couldn't stop Beric, who maneuvered around Seattle defender Yeimar Gomez to score in the 52nd minute. Beric signed in the offseason after playing in France for five seasons.

Morris pulled off a well-placed cross to Bwana, who timed his run to beat Chicago goalkeeper Kenneth Kronholm and tie the game.

Pineda's goal was his first in MLS. The Illinois native signed as a Homegrown Player in January.

With temperatures in the mid-80s and 85% humidity, the game featured two hydration breaks in both halves.