ORLANDO, Fla. — In the seconds leading up to the first penalty kick of Wednesday night, Exploria Stadium echoed with boos.
The minute before that had been a mad scramble. New York City FC elected to take the kicks on the goal opposite of the supporters section. When fans saw both keepers heading to the goal, they left their seats and sprinted around the concourse to fill in the seats behind the NYCFC goalkeeper.
When they arrived, however, the sea of purple fans was met with a row of yellow-jacketed security officials who refused to let them pass.