Nick Firmino and Tarik Scott scored in either half as Lexington SC took a 2-1 victory against Orlando City SC to open its preseason slate at the Orlando City Mini Stadium in Kissimmee, Fla. on Saturday afternoon.

Lexington took the lead four minutes before halftime after an initial free kick from the top of the penalty area was parried by Orlando’s goalkeeper. Firmino reacted quickest and tapped home the rebound to put the visitors on top at the break.

Orlando leveled the game in the second half, but with 12 minutes to play brothers Malik Henry-Scott and Tarik Scott linked up to complete a slick passing move. A ball into the right channel began the sequence before Henry-Scott was played into the right side of the box. His heel-flick across the penalty area found Scott cutting in from the left to sweep home a first time finish.

TAMPA BAY ROWDIES 2, NEW YORK CITY FC 2: Rowdies newcomers Pedro Dolabella and MD Myers scored two minutes apart in the first half before New York City FC rallied back with goals in either half as the teams ended all square at the Waters Sportsplex on Friday afternoon.

Dolabella opened the scoring in the 12th minute, heading home a corner kick sent in by teammate Marco Micaletto. Forward MD Myers – who earned MLS NEXT Pro Best XI honors for NYCFC II in 2023 – then doubled Tampa Bay’s advantage only a couple of minutes later when he redirected a cross from the right edge of the box on target with a right-footed strike.

New York hit back with a set piece goal of its own in the 21st minute before scoring early in the second half as the teams played two 30-minute halves.

“It was a tough game against a good opponent,” said Dolabella. “[New York] went deep last year in the playoffs, but we’ve been working hard the first two weeks of preseason and I think it showed today. We had two good halves. It was great to be out there with the guys.”

Other Preseason Scores
Austin FC 0, San Antonio FC 0
Los Angeles FC 1, Orange County SC 0
Charlotte FC 3, Charleston Battery 1