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Larin, the most prolific rookie goalscorer in Major League
Soccer history, notched his 16th and 17th goals of the season as
Orlando came from behind after trailing 1-0 at half-time.
However, the three points might prove merely a stay of execution
in their quest to finish among the top six in the Eastern
Conference and qualify for the postseason.
Orlando improved to 44 points with one regular season game left,
one point behind sixth-placed Montreal Impact, who have two
games remaining.
New York City scored on the stroke of half-time in a rare
attacking foray when defender Kwame Watson-Siriboe fired home
with his left foot for his first goal in seven seasons.
But 20-year-old Larin came to Orlando's rescue in front of more
than 43,000 fans when he equalized with a well-placed header
into the far corner from an inch-perfect cross by Corey Ashe in
the 62nd minute.
Larin scored the match winner eight minutes later with a simple
tap-in after New York City were caught on the break.
In the Western Conference, the San Jose Earthquakes gave their
playoff chances a mighty boost with a 1-0 home win over Sporting
Kansas City.
Panamanian midfielder Anibal Godoy scored the only goal in the
47th minute when he found the net from close range.
The result lifted the Earthquakes from seventh to sixth, ahead
of Portland on goal difference but behind Seattle. All three
teams have 47 points, though Portland and Seattle have a game in
hand.
(Reporting by Andrew Both in Cary, North Carolina)
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