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Following a hugely disappointing limp 1-3 home loss to Montreal Impact last weekend, James O’Connor‘s Orlando City SC need to pick themselves up quickly for a tough road test at New York Red Bulls.
Travelling to Red Bull Arena with two points from the first nine available, Lions supporters endured that all too familiar sinking feeling in a really poor and wasteful showing against the Impact.
The way Orlando City SC conceded two goals in just 90 seconds last weekend was particularly worrying, especially the fashion in which Ignacio Piatti’s first strike was gift wrapped following a criminal misplaced back pass from Shane O’Neill.
The kind of individual defensive error that has been haunting Orlando City SC‘s progress over the past couple of seasons in Major League Soccer, the patience of the Lions’ fanbase is being tested – even at this early stage.
Whilst Dom Dwyer earned Orlando City SC a consolation goal late on, the 28-year-old would’ve been particularly disappointed at the way in which he spurned a vital 58th minute one-on-one against Evan Bush.
Skying the strike when he could’ve played in Chris Mueller for a tap in, this missed chance could’ve changed the direction of the game.
With more clinical finishing and defensive belief required, this will be needed in abundance against New York Red Bulls who aren’t exactly the team you want to visit to earn your first MLS victory of the season.
Despite coming up short against Atlanta United in the Eastern Conference Finals last season, Chris Armas steered the New Jersey side to the 2018 Supporters’ Shield and has conducted a fine job since Jesse Marsch’s departure.
With Bradley Wright-Phillips still the top dog in Harrison, New Jersey, Red Bulls yet again have a plethora of young talent emerging and the Lions defence will have to be on their game to thwart Alex Muyl who scored a brace against San Jose Earthquakes last weekend.
2015/18 head-to-head stats
Last facing New York Red Bulls on MLS Decision Day 2018, sadly there was nothing for Orlando City SC to play for other than pride in the final fixture of a nightmare campaign.
An interesting footnote to this game however was that New York Red Bulls needed to win it and hope that Atlanta United tripped up at Toronto FC to win the 2018 Supporters’ Shield – something that fell into place for Chris Armas’ side.
Red Bulls only just managed to prevail 1-0 however and had to wait to the second-half when Haiti international Derrick Etienne Jr. scored the game winner in the 53rd minute.
New York Red Bulls 1 Orlando City SC 0 – Highlights – October 28, 2018 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
With five victories to Orlando City SC‘s three, New York Red Bulls have enjoyed the better of this game series but one thing is for certain when this duo face off – goals!
Contesting nine head-to-heads in MLS so far, this fixture has produced crazy scorelines like 2-5, 3-2 and 4-3 with four of the games ending in clean sheets.
Orlando City SC‘s last victory over Red Bulls came in the first of two meetings last season when an 86th minute deflected strike off Josué Colmán earned the Lions a rousing 4-3 win in a game where City pegged back the visitors’ lead twice.
Orlando City SC 4 New York Red Bulls 3 – Highlights – March 31, 2018 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
Winger Derrick Etienne has only scored five goals for New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer and two of these have came against Orlando City SC in last season’s two head-to-heads!
With the Lions conceding an unprecedented 74 goals last season – the worst tally in MLS history – James O’Connor and the Orlando City SC coaching staff really need to be prioritising defensive work in training.
Whilst injuries and suspension took their toll last season, the Orlando City SC head coach must get set on a settled back five instead of constantly chopping and changing this term – something that can’t be good for team chemistry.
Recruiting Swedish international centre back Robin Jansson from AIK last week, both he and Lamine Sané represent experienced statesmen who still await their first minutes in MLS this season.
New York Red Bulls form
It’s a case of read it and weep for Orlando City SC supporters with New York Red Bulls something of a formidable side at home.
Winning their last NINE straight home fixtures at Red Bull Arena including the second leg of the 2018 Eastern Conference Finals against Atlanta United – despite losing 1-3 on aggregate – this trip will be anything but easy for Orlando City SC.
Orlando City SC form
A bleak stat and one that only we can begin to turnaround!
With Orlando City SC failing to win their last FIFTEEN away fixtures in Major League Soccer with FOURTEEN of these ending in defeat, the Lions need to be far more savvy on the road in 2019.
Almost emerging with all three points in our first away trip of this season at Chicago Fire, Orlando City SC‘s concentration will be under huge scrutiny at Red Bull Arena, one of the league’s most unforgiving venues.
Chicago Fire 1 Orlando City SC 1 – Highlights – March 9, 2019 (Credit: Major League Soccer)