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Orlando City SC‘s six-game winning streak is now a distant memory having suffered our third consecutive loss against Chicago Fire (1-2) last weekend.
A late Alan Gordon screamer settled a game that Orlando City SC had actually dominated with the Lions squandering numerous second-half plays to find no way beyond Patrick McLain.
A hugely frustrating night at Orlando City Stadium, Orlando City SC really need to grab a victory soon to allay any fears that we are experiencing a repeat of our dismal summer form of 2017.
Winning just four of our final 27 games following a blistering start last term, there are certainly better places to go than New York City FC away to find a result.
But that is the reality for Jason Kreis‘ Lions right now with Orlando City SC needing to prove to both themselves and the supporters that they can jostle with the very best in our quest to reach the post-season.
Heading to Yankee Stadium on a three-game losing streak isn’t easy and what’s more, Orlando City SC‘s cause won’t be helped by Yoshimar Yotún and Amro Tarek being away on international duty.
That’s not to mention the Lions having to name Tony Rocha and Chris Schuler as stand ins at centre back against Chicago Fire, the latter of which played the second-half with a broken arm.
Dom Dwyer has desperately been missed against both Toronto FC and Chicago Fire with the hope that the 27-year-old will be fit for this one following what was described as a “lower-body injury“.
2015/18 head-to-head stats
Going down 2-0 in our first away assignment of 2018, mistakes proved costly on a sunny afternoon at Yankee Stadium.
With the Lions rarely a threat in attack, we didn’t help our cause defensively.
An over hit Yoshimar Yotún back pass was too hot to handle for Joe Bendik on 62 minutes, handing an open invitation to Ismael Tajouri to open the scoring.
Just over 10 minutes later, Sacha Kljestan was caught overplaying in midfield with Maxi Moralez punishing the Lions just seconds later.
Effectively handing a 2-0 victory to NYCFC, Orlando City SC will have to be far smarter in possession this time around.
New York City FC 2 Orlando City SC 0 – Highlights – March 17, 2018 (Credit: New York City FC)
2015 expansion rivals New York City FC and Orlando City SC have now played against each other 10 times.
While both clubs are incredibly familiar with one another, the truth is that both lineups are extremely different from even last season following many winter additions for either side.
Yes, Orlando City SC currently lead this game series but with The Pigeons winning the last two fixtures by a combined 5-0 scoreline, there is much room for improvement.
Orlando City SC 0 New York City FC 3 – Highlights – May 21, 2017 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
New York City FC form
If anybody was unsure about the size of the task facing Orlando City SC this weekend, this stat says it all!
Patrick Vieira’s NYCFC are UNBEATEN at Yankee Stadium so far this season winning all five of their home fixtures.
With New York City FC actually winning their last SIX home fixtures, Orlando City SC will have to do what they did in April 2017 when they earned a 1-2 victory in The Bronx.
New York City FC haven’t simply been winning at home; they’ve been winning in style!
Putting four past Real Salt Lake, three past FC Dallas and four past Colorado Rapids since April, David Villa will yet again prove the man to stop.
Showing no signs of slowing down at the age of 36, the former Spanish international currently has 71 goals in 104 Major League Soccer appearances for NYCFC.
The Lions will also need to keep tabs on Jesús Medina, New York City FC’s creative force with five assists to his name so far in 2018.
New York City FC 4 Colorado Rapids 0 – Highlights – March 17, 2018 (Credit: New York City FC)
Orlando City SC form
In truth, there are plenty of goals whether Orlando City SC play at home or away!
With OVER 2.5 GOALS SCORED in NINE of the Lions’ last ELEVEN away fixtures in MLS, we sound like a broken record but we are giving up way too many goals.
Conceding first virtually every weekend, we really need to stop giving ourselves a mountain to climb in games.
Having conceded the joint third most amount of goals (20) in the Eastern Conference following the Chicago Fire loss, MLS Cup qualification will prove extremely difficult if this situation doesn’t improve.