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So after 7 games played this 2016 Major League Soccer season, Orlando City SC currently sit on nine points with two games won, two games drawn and two games lost.
Humbled on the road last time out at New York Red Bulls, Adrian Heath‘s Lions will be looking to get back to winning ways up the Eastern Seaboard at New England Revolution this Saturday evening (Sunday 00:30 in the UK).
Having of course played the Revs only two games ago whereby an eventual 2-2 scoreline only told half the story at the Citrus Bowl, Saturday’s game at Gillette Stadium will prove tough considering Jay Heaps’ side remain undefeated against the Lions in three head-to-heads.
With the Lions having missed the guidance of club captain Kaká away at Red Bull Arena through a groin injury, we await confirmation of the Brazilian international being back in the set-up for the Gillette Stadium encounter.
So without further ado, here’s all the stats that matter heading into the Lions’ second of three match-up’s against New England Revolution this 2016 MLS season.
2015/16 head-to-head stats
In the UK, we’re of course used to repeat fixtures taking place a long time after the first meeting but in the case of Orlando City SC and New England Revolution, the teams only met two fixtures ago.
Playing out an intriguing 2-2 draw at the Citrus Bowl, referee Baldomero Toledo’s name was mud at the full-time whistle after wrongly awarding Lee Nguyen a game tying penalty in the final minutes of the match.
Adjudging Servando Carrasco to have handled the United States internationals’ cross shot in the box when it actually hit his shoulder, his converted spot kick cancelled out Kevin Molino‘s strike and three points disappeared into just one.
Orlando City SC 2 New England Revolution 2 – Highlights – April 17, 2016 (Credit: YAFIFA HD)
In addition to the 2-2 played out earlier this month, Orlando City SC faced New England Revolution twice last season, firstly drawing 2-2 at the Citrus Bowl in May 2015 before going down 3-0 away at Gillette Stadium in September.
With Jay Heaps’ side still undefeated against Adrian Heath‘s men in three head-to-heads, Saturday evening’s fixture will be tough and there’s also the factor of both sides currently being locked on nine points so if either team grabs a victory, they will steal crucial yards on one another.
Make no mistake; when both New England Revolution and Orlando City SC are in town, it’s never dull!
To be honest, you could say that about most fixtures Adrian Heath‘s side are involved in but the total goal count in Revs versus Lions fixtures currently stands at ELEVEN goals in THREE encounters.
New England Revolution form
While we were just talking about lots of goals in this particular head-to-head, when you’re talking about the Revs’ recent goalscoring record at home, they aren’t so free-scoring!
Scoring UNDER 2.5 GOALS in their last FIVE home fixtures in Major League Soccer, this term at Gillette Stadium we’ve seen Jay Heaps’ men draw 0-0 with D.C. United, defeat New York Red Bulls 1-0, draw 1-1 with Toronto FC while also drawing 1-1 with Portland Timbers last time out at home.
With Teal Bunbury having struggled in front of goal so far this term before breaking his duck in that 2-2 draw at the Citrus Bowl earlier this month, grabbing an early goal will prove crucial for the Lions.
That said, we hope to defend an early lead better than on our last showing away at New York Red Bulls after Cyle Larin‘s opener!
Orlando City SC form
As we’ve mentioned already, Orlando City SC must be one of the most exciting clubs to watch in all of Major League Soccer for a neutral.
For us Lions fans however, it can be a roller-coaster ride and the stats back this up as well.
There have been OVER 2.5 GOALS scored in City’s last FOUR MLS fixtures and with Cyle Larin now back in the fold after his injury, you’d back the Canadian international to find the scoresheet once more against Revs on Saturday evening.
While Orlando City SC have managed to contribute to high-scoring encounters in recent times, what we haven’t mentioned is that we’ve conceded AT LEAST 2 GOALS in our last THREE MLS fixtures.
Conceding two goals away at Philadelphia Union ahead of conceding two at home in the 2-2 loss with New England Revolution before shipping three away at Red Bull Arena last time out, a lot of focus will be upon both Tommy Redding and Seb Hines trying to lock things down more efficiently.
New York Red Bulls 3 Orlando City SC 2 – Highlights – April 24, 2016 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
With Joe Bendik having come up with a series of smart stops in recent weeks, that’s positive but the Lions really need to ensure he isn’t being worked so much within the 90 minutes.