ORLANDO, Fla. – Another start to a Major League Soccer season provides just enough hope for Orlando City SC and its fans that a playoff appearance is possible. It’s change that the Lions and their constituents have been eager for, entering their fifth MLS season after missing the playoffs in each of their first four seasons.

While Orlando City (0-0-1, 1 point) only drew 2-2 with a new-look New York City FC (0-0-1, 1 point) on the afternoon of March 2 at Orlando City Stadium, the story of the match shows a change in the Eastern Conference status quo may be near.

The Lions’ newfound attitude was, perhaps, best epitomized at halftime. Orlando City trailed 2-0 at the break, and the scenario seemed all-too-familiar for a Central Florida side that went 1-13-3 in its final 17 games and scoreless in seven of them in 2018 under new Head Coach James O’Connor.

Orlando City, however, are an almost entirely new team, boasting more than 10 new players and a supposed culture change. Entering the locker room, no one counted themselves out.

“I don’t think that there was a sense of negativity, or our heads weren’t down at all,” forward Chris Mueller said after the draw. “I think that we knew that we controlled the first half. They got two chances, I would say, in the whole [first] half, and we responded really well.”

Response to goals is what Orlando City have focused on since a 4-1, preseason loss to the Philadelphia Union on Feb. 12. Mueller spearheaded the Lions’ come-from-behind effort by scoring their first goal of the match, of the 2019 season.

Midfielder and team captain Sacha Kljestan drew a free kick just outside the left part of NYCFC’s box, setting up Mueller for one of his many set pieces on the day. In the 59th minute, the second-year forward delivered the ball to the back post, evading players from both teams and bouncing into the far corner to make it a 2-1 game.

“I mean, I just wanted to put it into a dangerous area and made sure that, if no one got a touch onto it, it would creep into that back-post area, and that’s exactly what ended up happening,” Mueller said. “So, it was good to get the team back into the game.”

The Lions needed both their attack and defense to complete the opening-day comeback. About 10 minutes after Mueller’s goal, New York City was on the verge of regaining its two-goal lead.

NYC aired a ball down the left flank to forward Alexandru Mitriță, who played the ball ahead to attacking midfielder Maximiliano Moralez sprinting down the middle of the field. With only Lions goalkeeper Brian Rowe in front and midfielder Will Johnson trailing, Moralez unloaded a top-of-the-box shot that Rowe parried away.

Rowe, 32, tallied four saves, three in the second half, against NYCFC.

“Going into half, down 2-0, it’s tough to come out and really respond to that,” Rowe said after the match. “So, credit to all of our guys [for] the character that we showed and to go out the second half. I was glad I was able to make a couple saves [to] keep us in it, but that’s just keeper’s mentality. You just want to make that next play.”

Orlando City completed their comeback to stay undefeated against NYCFC on opening day behind forward Tesho Akindele’s first regular-season goal in purple. The effort began when designated players Dom Dwyer and Luís Nani entered the match around the 69th minute.

Nani sent the ball down the left flank to Dwyer, who sped past his two defenders. One touch later, Dwyer curled the ball to Akindele cutting down the heart of NYCFC’s defense for an open-net, game-tying goal.

“I thought [Dwyer and Nani] came in [and] made a huge impact,” Akindele said after the draw. “I think one of Nani’s first touches was, like, the pass that sent Dom through; one of Dom’s first touches was an assist. So, that just shows the quality that they bring and the depth we have up top.”

If the Lions’ season-opening match is any indication, it’s a sign that this squad isn’t the same as teams past. However, early-season success — in whatever form — should be taken lightly.

After starting last season 0-2-1, the Lions went on to win a club record six games in a row. That was subsequently followed by a club record nine-straight losses and, by season’s end, a dead-last position in the East.

For Akindele, Orlando City simply need to continue doing what they’re doing.

“I think more of the same,” Akindele said. “I thought we played a great game, honestly. Just, like I said, maybe finish our chances early in the game so we’re not in a position where we’re down 2-0.”

Who’s Next?

The Lions have one week before their next match against Chicago Fire SC. Orlando City will travel north for their first road game on Saturday at 1 p.m.

For more on the Lions, as they seek their first win of the 2019 season, follow Victor Tan on Twitter at @NDR_VictorTan.

To contact Victor, you can email him at vtan@newdayreview.com, or you can tweet at him.