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Following the euphoria of an 88th minute game winner against Vancouver Whitecaps (1-0) last weekend, James O’Connor‘s Lions head up the Eastern Seaboard to face New York City FC at Yankee Stadium.
Securing three victories, two draws and three defeats so far, it’s safe to say Orlando City SC are an improving side following a nightmare 2018.
What Orlando City SC‘s 1-0 win over Whitecaps lacked in fluidity was made up for in terms of organisation, determination and heart.
Far from the easiest game on the eye, Orlando City SC were dogged and determined in playing to the final whistle where a combination of Sacha Kljestan and Nani forced the game winner just before stoppage time.
Not only earning a clean sheet, something of a rarity for Orlando City SC, the Lions refused to give away any cheap gifts at the back in a 4-3-3 formation with James O’Connor reverting from his favoured 5-3-2 used in prior fixtures this term.
Whether the 4-3-3 will remain is uncertain but you’d imagine Orlando City SC will set up more defensively at Yankee Stadium with a rejuvenated New York City FC earning their first two wins of the season recently, triumphing 0-2 at D.C. United last Sunday and 1-0 over Chicago Fire on Wednesday.
The smallest field in Major League Soccer, and without doubt the worst surface, presents unique challenges for Orlando City SC but there is no doubt Domènec Torrent’s NYCFC are less formidable compared to previous years.
Facing The Pigeons in the very first game of the season, Orlando City SC will aim to strike first and lay a foundation rather than chasing a deficit in The Bronx.
Tired legs may also prove a factor with New York City FC having faced Chicago Fire in midweek while Orlando City SC are benefitting from a full week’s recovery.
2015/19 head-to-head stats
The 2015 MLS expansion rivals last faced off in the very first game of this season at Orlando City Stadium.
Orlando City SC supporters left happy that day after an encouraging second-half performance saw Chris Mueller and Tesho Akindele goals turnaround a two goal half-time deficit.
The draw actually halted a four game scoreless streak against NYCFC who had comfortably won all four previous MLS head-to-heads.
Orlando City SC 2 New York City FC 2 – Highlights – March 2, 2019 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
Facing New York City FC more than any other Major League Soccer opponent so far, this particular game series is all tied up.
Both teams have secured FIVE victories each with THREE draws contested to date.
At Yankee Stadium, Orlando City SC have gone 2-1-3 securing their last league points in The Bronx in April 2017 when a Cyle Larin brace secured a 1-2 victory for the Lions.
Running an Orlando City UK Watch Party that day, we’ve come away from the Big Apple pointless in our previous two visits.
While there is bad blood between these 2015 MLS expansion rivals in the stands, it seems the ill-feeling has reached the pitch in previous years.
After all, there have been THREE OR MORE yellow cards issued in the last FIVE head-to-heads in Major League Soccer.
With Jhegson Méndez, Alex De John, Ben Sweat, Maxime Chanot and Dom Dwyer all handed yellows by Baldomero Toledo in our 2019 home opener, Orlando City SC have managed to keep all eleven men on the field in all eight MLS fixtures so far.
New York City FC form
Prior to New York City FC’s recent victories over D.C. United and Chicago Fire, Domènec Torrent’s job has been under intense scrutiny, and to some extent, still is.
Failing to instil the same drive and determination of Patrick Vieira’s NYCFC side before him, the Spaniard oversaw THREE home draws (all tied at half-time) at Yankee Stadium prior to Wednesday night’s morale boosting 1-0 win over Fire.
Earning a 2-2 draw with high-flying Los Angeles FC on March 17, The Pigeons went scoreless in two 0-0 draws against D.C. United and Montreal Impact either side of the aforementioned result.
That said, winter arrival Héber registered his first NYCFC goal last weekend with the 27-year-old Brazilian now carrying the goalscoring burden left behind by the departed David Villa.
New York City FC 0 Montreal Impact 0 – Highlights – April 6, 2019 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
Orlando City SC form
An interesting trend for Orlando City SC is the fact they’ve scored all three of their away goals in the second-half of their three away fixtures contested so far.
With Dom Dwyer (minute 47 at Chicago Fire), Sacha Kljestan (73 at New York Red Bulls) and Nani (81 at Real Salt Lake) all scoring in the second-half of games, the Lions’ stamina – and goalscoring threat – is lasting the full ninety.
Showing discipline in the games at Chicago Fire and New York Red Bulls, barring Shane O’Neill‘s last gasp defensive lapse in the former fixture, digging in and stealing strikes on the counter will likely be the plan of attack at New York City FC.
New York Red Bulls 0 Orlando City SC 1 – Highlights – March 23, 2019 (Credit: Major League Soccer)