Orlando (U.S. Open Cup) - Postmatch

on the other hand, if I wasn't an NYCFC fan, there's one team I'd 100% support: Portland. Their fan base is amazing, their support is amazing, the team is great (I wasn't even mad losing to them) and it's something Orlando fans should strive to be like.
They're good in person. I consider them Top 3 obnoxious on mlssoccer.com.
...and so, the curse of losing in the quarters continues.
????
 
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Based off his performance last night, I have trouble processing the fact that Grinwis lost out to Brian Rowe for the starting GK job in Orlando.
Apparently there were some conflicts with the filming schedule of Billions.
 
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I ask you do not share this outside of NYCFC Forums, at least I give permission to do so...

I'm back in New York and feel safe. I'm physically fine, but still emotionally jarred.

Last night after the match, some NYCFC fans went towards the Orange Bowl where their cars were parked, a group of about 10 (NYCFC fans and staff) were escorted about three blocks from the stadium on Church Street by Orlando City staff. 5 of us continued to walk back to our hotels together. The underpass under Church Street was closed due to construction. So we walked north one block to Pine Street. 4 Orlando supporters were running up the street as we (some NYCFC fans and staff) were walking down the street. We passed by, then they came back and started to throw punches. First they hit NYCFC staff. I just ran down the street with some NYCFC fans ahead and behind me just to escape. One fan behind me (who wasn't wearing any NYCFC apparel) was thrown the ground, attacked, and was bleeding from the face. I went up to a group of people including those with Orlando City gear and asked to walk with them as I told them, "I feel unsafe." They said absolutely. We cross the street and these guys continue to run down the street and surround me. They grab my scarf and I just give it up. It's a scarf. I don't want confrontation.

I just stand there and wait, a few extremely helpful Orlando fans wait with me, because I don't feel safe walking anywhere else unless escorted. We wait for the police and ambulance for the fan who was bleeding from the face. NYCFC staff and the Orlando City staff join us. The man bleeding from the face went in an ambulance to the hospital. The ambulance leaves, the police go. Some NYCFC fans leave on their own. I said I don't feel safe walking by myself. Orlando City staff, NYCFC staff, and these extremely helpful Orlando fans walk with me back to the hotel. I even took off my jersey as to not draw attention to myself. I'm emotional just typing this.

----------

I will also add a few thoughts about the fans during penalty shootout...

We originally were in Section 108 which is the normal visiting supporters section. We were told if rain occurred we would be moved to underneath the roof which is 2-3 sections over behind the south goal and opposite the Orlando City supporters' section (i.e. The Wall). It rained pregame. We moved. We're not under the roof so about 14 rows up on the 2nd tier. The entire south and west side of the stadium were closed off and the only way through security was if you had a visiting supporter wristband or a suite wristband as the private suites were open. On the south and west sides of the stadium there were no concessions open, the bathroom lights were off (motion controlled albeit). CLOSED! There were 0 Orlando fans allowed on the south side of the stadium.

NYCFC fans who wanted to get something to eat or drink had to go to the East Side of the stadium. And to get back to where we were sitting, we had to show our wristband because there were several staff/security by a rope line sectioning off that side fo the stadium.

The game is looking like it's going to penalties and we're told that we're allowed to move to the lower rows of the 2nd tier behind the goal regardless of which end the penalties are taking place. We go. We fill in the 2nd and 3rd rows. Then Orlando fans just rush the south side of the stadium after the penalties are happening across from The Wall. Security initially holds them off as there are barricades and rope lines closing off those section. Security is going their job. A few sneak past, but then they are given the okay by Orlando executives to fill in the section. You know have NYCFC fans on top of Orlando fans and it's not a safe environment. Then Orlando executives are saying we need to move back to the corner. We don't. That was not part of the original supporters' plan. We are allowed to be where we are. Orlando fans are not allowed to be where they are based on the original gameday plan. Absolute bullshit all over from Orlando executives, stadium operations, etc. I hope NYCFC files a protest with US Soccer/MLS about everything that went down. Because it was a mess, created an unsafe environment, and didn't follow protocol.

1 Orlando fan with wearing a hoodie and purple mask comes up to the 2nd tier he approaches us, but I point it out to security and they rush after him. Why was he allowed to even be there? He wasn't! If Orlando enforced their protocol and stuck to it, NYCFC fans wouldn't have been in a situation where someone could have come up and I don't know what...stole our stuff...attack us...who knows?

But here you have MLS using its social media networks to show the running of the fans into the section for the PKs just like they show banned smoke bombs in ads. Shameful!
 
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I ask you do not share this outside of NYCFC Forums, at least I give permission to do so...

I'm back in New York and feel safe. I'm physically fine, but still emotionally jarred.

Last night after the match, some NYCFC fans went towards the Orange Bowl where their cars were parked, a group of about 10 (NYCFC fans and staff) were escorted about three blocks from the stadium on Church Street by Orlando City staff. 5 of us continued to walk back to our hotels together. The underpass under Church Street was closed due to construction. So we walked north one block to Pine Street. 4 Orlando supporters were running up the street as we (some NYCFC fans and staff) were walking down the street. We passed by, then they came back and started to throw punches. First they hit NYCFC staff. I just ran down the street with some NYCFC fans ahead and behind me just to escape. One fan behind me (who wasn't wearing any NYCFC apparel) was thrown the ground, attacked, and was bleeding from the face. I went up to a group of people including those with Orlando City gear and asked to walk with them as I told them, "I feel unsafe." They said absolutely. We cross the street and these guys continue to run down the street and surround me. They grab my scarf and I just give it up. It's a scarf. I don't want confrontation.

I just stand there and wait, a few extremely helpful Orlando fans wait with me, because I don't feel safe walking anywhere else unless escorted. We wait for the police and ambulance for the fan who was bleeding from the face. NYCFC staff and the Orlando City staff join us. The man bleeding from the face went in an ambulance to the hospital. The ambulance leaves, the police go. Some NYCFC fans leave on their own. I said I don't feel safe walking by myself. Orlando City staff, NYCFC staff, and these extremely helpful Orlando fans walk with me back to the hotel. I even took off my jersey as to not draw attention to myself. I'm emotional just typing this.
That’s ridiculous. Hopefully with NYCFC Staff involved there will be penalties. It doesn’t do anything to change what happened but hopefully it will prevent things from happening in the future. This has surrounded their fan base for a long time.
Glad you’re safe.
 
I ask you do not share this outside of NYCFC Forums, at least I give permission to do so...

I'm back in New York and feel safe. I'm physically fine, but still emotionally jarred.

Last night after the match, some NYCFC fans went towards the Orange Bowl where their cars were parked, a group of about 10 (NYCFC fans and staff) were escorted about three blocks from the stadium on Church Street by Orlando City staff. 5 of us continued to walk back to our hotels together. The underpass under Church Street was closed due to construction. So we walked north one block to Pine Street. 4 Orlando supporters were running up the street as we (some NYCFC fans and staff) were walking down the street. We passed by, then they came back and started to throw punches. First they hit NYCFC staff. I just ran down the street with some NYCFC fans ahead and behind me just to escape. One fan behind me (who wasn't wearing any NYCFC apparel) was thrown the ground, attacked, and was bleeding from the face. I went up to a group of people including those with Orlando City gear and asked to walk with them as I told them, "I feel unsafe." They said absolutely. We cross the street and these guys continue to run down the street and surround me. They grab my scarf and I just give it up. It's a scarf. I don't want confrontation.

I just stand there and wait, a few extremely helpful Orlando fans wait with me, because I don't feel safe walking anywhere else unless escorted. We wait for the police and ambulance for the fan who was bleeding from the face. NYCFC staff and the Orlando City staff join us. The man bleeding from the face went in an ambulance to the hospital. The ambulance leaves, the police go. Some NYCFC fans leave on their own. I said I don't feel safe walking by myself. Orlando City staff, NYCFC staff, and these extremely helpful Orlando fans walk with me back to the hotel. I even took off my jersey as to not draw attention to myself. I'm emotional just typing this.
Really sorry to hear it. Thanks for sharing.

It's absurd for these types of things to happen. You should be able to attend these games safely - that goes without saying.

I have always been impressed by your commitment to traveling to away games (and a bit jealous). I hope this doesn't change any of that.

I am glad to hear that some Orlando fans were willing to stick by you. Hopefully, the police can make some headway and the Orlando club makes sure those guys aren't at any more matches, ever.
 
I ask you do not share this outside of NYCFC Forums, at least I give permission to do so...

I'm back in New York and feel safe. I'm physically fine, but still emotionally jarred.

Last night after the match, some NYCFC fans went towards the Orange Bowl where their cars were parked, a group of about 10 (NYCFC fans and staff) were escorted about three blocks from the stadium on Church Street by Orlando City staff. 5 of us continued to walk back to our hotels together. The underpass under Church Street was closed due to construction. So we walked north one block to Pine Street. 4 Orlando supporters were running up the street as we (some NYCFC fans and staff) were walking down the street. We passed by, then they came back and started to throw punches. First they hit NYCFC staff. I just ran down the street with some NYCFC fans ahead and behind me just to escape. One fan behind me (who wasn't wearing any NYCFC apparel) was thrown the ground, attacked, and was bleeding from the face. I went up to a group of people including those with Orlando City gear and asked to walk with them as I told them, "I feel unsafe." They said absolutely. We cross the street and these guys continue to run down the street and surround me. They grab my scarf and I just give it up. It's a scarf. I don't want confrontation.

I just stand there and wait, a few extremely helpful Orlando fans wait with me, because I don't feel safe walking anywhere else unless escorted. We wait for the police and ambulance for the fan who was bleeding from the face. NYCFC staff and the Orlando City staff join us. The man bleeding from the face went in an ambulance to the hospital. The ambulance leaves, the police go. Some NYCFC fans leave on their own. I said I don't feel safe walking by myself. Orlando City staff, NYCFC staff, and these extremely helpful Orlando fans walk with me back to the hotel. I even took off my jersey as to not draw attention to myself. I'm emotional just typing this.
Glad you’re safe Lion.

Not for nothing, but as retribution, the club should definitely now file a complaint regarding the PKs/closed section occupied as a way to stick it to Orlando and their fans for this behavior. What’s the point of the coin toss/side selection if the home side changes the parameters of the venue after the fact.
 
Here’s your answer to whether MLS will address it:

There's nothing to address. It was a road game. We did what we could to stay away from the supporters, but there is nothing that says the home team can't let its fans walk around the stadium. Kudos to them for moving. Kudos, I guess, for winning a coin flip too.
 
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I ask you do not share this outside of NYCFC Forums, at least I give permission to do so...

I'm back in New York and feel safe. I'm physically fine, but still emotionally jarred.

Last night after the match, some NYCFC fans went towards the Orange Bowl where their cars were parked, a group of about 10 (NYCFC fans and staff) were escorted about three blocks from the stadium on Church Street by Orlando City staff. 5 of us continued to walk back to our hotels together. The underpass under Church Street was closed due to construction. So we walked north one block to Pine Street. 4 Orlando supporters were running up the street as we (some NYCFC fans and staff) were walking down the street. We passed by, then they came back and started to throw punches. First they hit NYCFC staff. I just ran down the street with some NYCFC fans ahead and behind me just to escape. One fan behind me (who wasn't wearing any NYCFC apparel) was thrown the ground, attacked, and was bleeding from the face. I went up to a group of people including those with Orlando City gear and asked to walk with them as I told them, "I feel unsafe." They said absolutely. We cross the street and these guys continue to run down the street and surround me. They grab my scarf and I just give it up. It's a scarf. I don't want confrontation.

I just stand there and wait, a few extremely helpful Orlando fans wait with me, because I don't feel safe walking anywhere else unless escorted. We wait for the police and ambulance for the fan who was bleeding from the face. NYCFC staff and the Orlando City staff join us. The man bleeding from the face went in an ambulance to the hospital. The ambulance leaves, the police go. Some NYCFC fans leave on their own. I said I don't feel safe walking by myself. Orlando City staff, NYCFC staff, and these extremely helpful Orlando fans walk with me back to the hotel. I even took off my jersey as to not draw attention to myself. I'm emotional just typing this.

----------

I will also add a few thoughts about the fans during penalty shootout...

We originally were in Section 108 which is the normal visiting supporters section. We were told if rain occurred we would be moved to underneath the roof which is 2-3 sections over behind the south goal and opposite the Orlando City supporters' section (i.e. The Wall). The entire south and west side of the stadium were closed off and the only way through security was if you had a visiting supporter wristband or a suite wristband as the private suites were open. There were 0 Orlando fans allowed on the south side of the stadium.

The game is looking like it's going to penalties and we're told that we're allowed to move to the lower rows of the 2nd tier behind the goal regardless of which end the penalties are taking place. We go. Then Orlando fans just rush the south side of the stadium after the penalties are happening across from The Wall. Security initially holds them off as there are barricades and rope lines closing off those section. Security is going their job. A few sneak past, but then they are given the okay by Orlando executives to fill in the section. You know have NYCFC fans on top of Orlando fans and it's not a safe environment. Then Orlando executives are saying we need to move back to the corner. We don't. That was not part of the original supporters' plan. We are allowed to be where we are. Orlando fans are not allowed to be where they are based on the original gameday plan. Absolute bullshit all over from Orlando executives, stadium operations, etc. I hope NYCFC files a protest with US Soccer/MLS about everything that went down. Because it was a mess, created an unsafe environment, and didn't follow protocol.

But here you have MLS using its social media networks to show the running of the fans into the section for the PKs just like they show banned smoke bombs in ads. Shameful!
Damn Brother, be resilient and well.
 
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There's nothing to address. It was a road game. We did what we could to stay away from the supporters, but there is nothing that says the home team can't let its fans walk around the stadium. Kudos to them for moving. Kudos, I guess, for winning a coin flip too.

See the second half of my post. They should not have been there.
 
Pretty shocking penalty from Chanot - I said to my wife when he stepped up that it was gonna be awkward unless he just put his foot through it. The writing was pretty much on the wall when he went for a two step run up....

Still, we did better in the Open Cup than in previous years, so it's a little bit of a consolation at least.

Thought it was bad that Orlando supporters stormed that section, from a "that's why we chose that side" and disregarding security reasons, although I bet if we had the same situation in a home game, we'd want to do the same.
 
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They're good in person. I consider them Top 3 obnoxious on mlssoccer.com.

????
Ignore mlssoccer.com and just talking about teams, their entire structure up and down is great.

As for the quarterfinals part, we lost in the "conference semis" which is the MLS way of saying "mls playoff quarter-finals"... I always consider it a quarter-final, not a semi-final.
 
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Thought it was bad that Orlando supporters stormed that section, from a "that's why we chose that side" and disregarding security reasons, although I bet if we had the same situation in a home game, we'd want to do the same.

Came here to say this. This is 100% something that would happen if NYCFC was hosting.

Missed most of the game, but saw the PKs. Simply awful from Chanot. Disappointed, but not distraught. We went for it this year and lost because of one bad penalty kick. Glad Heber is back.
 
From a play-advantage perspective I can't care at all about the Orlando fans switching sides.

But the security issues warrant some official complaint from our club. They had to keep the home fans away from where they put the visitors. That's non-negotiable. Foreseeing the possibility of spot kicks in a USOC game and that the away team would choose to shoot away from the wall does not take clairvoyance. Our fans should not have been put in that section to begin with. It's incompetent planning. But having put you there asking you to move and not maintaining separation is gross malfeasance. They should face some non-sporting punishment.

As for what Lion experienced and witnessed after leaving, it gets a bit more murky. OSC security absolutely has to walk away fans to the visitors lot, which I understand is far from the stadium. It's harder to say they have to walk you to hotels, unless maybe a large contingent stayed in one particular place on a package deal. Which is not to suggest visiting fans do not have an absolute right to be safe, but at some point that becomes a city responsibility, not the club.

Very heartened to hear that multiple OSC fans and employees helped, even if it couldn't stop the assaults.
 
There's nothing to address. It was a road game. We did what we could to stay away from the supporters, but there is nothing that says the home team can't let its fans walk around the stadium. Kudos to them for moving. Kudos, I guess, for winning a coin flip too.
Are you sure? The fans could stay on the concourse, but if the seats aren’t open for use, I fail to see how fans are allowed to occupy them adhoc - that’s why security was stationed at the top of the steps. Would Orlando have allowed the NYCFC fans to hang out there during the match to badger the Orlando keeper - we know the answer is NO, and they’d have said the area was closed to spectators.
 
Are you sure? The fans could stay on the concourse, but if the seats aren’t open for use, I fail to see how fans are allowed to occupy them adhoc - that’s why security was stationed at the top of the steps. Would Orlando have allowed the NYCFC fans to hang out there during the match to badger the Orlando keeper - we know the answer is NO, and they’d have said the area was closed to spectators.

It wasn't so much as whether they were allowed, they pushed their way in. In fact the tv broadcast clearly showed some fans getting very obnoxious with security as they initially tried to hold them off.
 
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I ask you do not share this outside of NYCFC Forums, at least I give permission to do so...

I'm back in New York and feel safe. I'm physically fine, but still emotionally jarred.

Last night after the match, some NYCFC fans went towards the Orange Bowl where their cars were parked, a group of about 10 (NYCFC fans and staff) were escorted about three blocks from the stadium on Church Street by Orlando City staff. 5 of us continued to walk back to our hotels together. The underpass under Church Street was closed due to construction. So we walked north one block to Pine Street. 4 Orlando supporters were running up the street as we (some NYCFC fans and staff) were walking down the street. We passed by, then they came back and started to throw punches. First they hit NYCFC staff. I just ran down the street with some NYCFC fans ahead and behind me just to escape. One fan behind me (who wasn't wearing any NYCFC apparel) was thrown the ground, attacked, and was bleeding from the face. I went up to a group of people including those with Orlando City gear and asked to walk with them as I told them, "I feel unsafe." They said absolutely. We cross the street and these guys continue to run down the street and surround me. They grab my scarf and I just give it up. It's a scarf. I don't want confrontation.

I just stand there and wait, a few extremely helpful Orlando fans wait with me, because I don't feel safe walking anywhere else unless escorted. We wait for the police and ambulance for the fan who was bleeding from the face. NYCFC staff and the Orlando City staff join us. The man bleeding from the face went in an ambulance to the hospital. The ambulance leaves, the police go. Some NYCFC fans leave on their own. I said I don't feel safe walking by myself. Orlando City staff, NYCFC staff, and these extremely helpful Orlando fans walk with me back to the hotel. I even took off my jersey as to not draw attention to myself. I'm emotional just typing this.

----------

I will also add a few thoughts about the fans during penalty shootout...

We originally were in Section 108 which is the normal visiting supporters section. We were told if rain occurred we would be moved to underneath the roof which is 2-3 sections over behind the south goal and opposite the Orlando City supporters' section (i.e. The Wall). It rained pregame. We moved. We're not under the roof so about 14 rows up on the 2nd tier. The entire south and west side of the stadium were closed off and the only way through security was if you had a visiting supporter wristband or a suite wristband as the private suites were open. On the south and west sides of the stadium there were no concessions open, the bathroom lights were off (motion controlled albeit). CLOSED! There were 0 Orlando fans allowed on the south side of the stadium.

NYCFC fans who wanted to get something to eat or drink had to go to the East Side of the stadium. And to get back to where we were sitting, we had to show our wristband because there were several staff/security by a rope line sectioning off that side fo the stadium.

The game is looking like it's going to penalties and we're told that we're allowed to move to the lower rows of the 2nd tier behind the goal regardless of which end the penalties are taking place. We go. We fill in the 2nd and 3rd rows. Then Orlando fans just rush the south side of the stadium after the penalties are happening across from The Wall. Security initially holds them off as there are barricades and rope lines closing off those section. Security is going their job. A few sneak past, but then they are given the okay by Orlando executives to fill in the section. You know have NYCFC fans on top of Orlando fans and it's not a safe environment. Then Orlando executives are saying we need to move back to the corner. We don't. That was not part of the original supporters' plan. We are allowed to be where we are. Orlando fans are not allowed to be where they are based on the original gameday plan. Absolute bullshit all over from Orlando executives, stadium operations, etc. I hope NYCFC files a protest with US Soccer/MLS about everything that went down. Because it was a mess, created an unsafe environment, and didn't follow protocol.

1 Orlando fan with wearing a hoodie and purple mask comes up to the 2nd tier he approaches us, but I point it out to security and they rush after him. Why was he allowed to even be there? He wasn't! If Orlando enforced their protocol and stuck to it, NYCFC fans wouldn't have been in a situation where someone could have come up and I don't know what...stole our stuff...attack us...who knows?

But here you have MLS using its social media networks to show the running of the fans into the section for the PKs just like they show banned smoke bombs in ads. Shameful!

Orlando City should be sanctioned for fan behavior like this. Completely unacceptable, and this is not an isolated incident. I'm really sorry you went through that. Glad you're ok.
 
It wasn't so much as whether they were allowed, they pushed their way in. In fact the tv broadcast clearly showed some fans getting very obnoxious with security as they initially tried to hold them off.
Whether they were allowed or pushed their way in, the integrity of the venue wasn’t maintained. That’s on the home team.
 
One interesting part of the night. There were maybe 20 NYCFC fans there. I'd say at least 8 were from Manchester (or the UK) and actual Man City fans who came over to holiday in Florida and came up for the game.

When we were down in the final stages of the 90', there was a good amount of "Come on Citeh" chants happening. I was like...cringe.