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Agonisingly losing 0-1 at home against New York Red Bulls, Orlando City SC face one more game before the 2019 MLS All-Star Game takes place at Exploria Stadium – an away assignment at New England Revolution.
The first of two crucial Eastern Conference head-to-heads this season, Bruce Arena has turned a failing Revs franchise around with the Foxborough side now representing direct competition for a place in the 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs.
Unbeaten in nine MLS games since taking over from Brad Friedel on May 14, Bruce Arena has been a breath of fresh air to the New England Revolution franchise, winning five league games and drawing the other four.
The two-time USMNT head coach has actually only tasted defeat once since arriving at Revs and that was the 2-1 (A.E.T.) defeat to Orlando City SC in the 2019 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Round of Last 16.
Prior to this matchup, James O’Connor will be incessantly reviewing highlights from that game with New England Revolution not handing any encouragement in the race to reach the 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs right now.
Securing a hugely important 0-2 win at FC Cincinnati last Sunday, it was a different story for Orlando City SC who threw everything at New York Red Bulls (0-1) in the second-half but just couldn’t force an equaliser to cancel out Brian White’s first-half opener.
The most sickening defeat of 2019 so far, Carlos Ascues, Tesho Akindele and Sacha Kljestan all hit the woodwork in the second-half with Red Bulls somehow getting out of Central Florida with all three points.
A game Orlando City SC really needed to win to keep pressure on Montreal Impact, Toronto FC and Revs ahead of us in the Eastern Conference standings, this matchup now takes on even greater importance in the race to get above the red line.
Despite being downright unlucky against New York Red Bulls, Orlando City SC will have to be far more ruthless in front of goal to pick up a result at Gillette Stadium.
The Lions have actually picked up the same amount of away points (13) as they have at home (13) with City’s Exploria Stadium form needing a significant improvement to stand any chance of reaching the post-season.
2015/19 head-to-head stats
Not meeting in Major League Soccer since October 2018, Orlando City SC did meet New England Revolution earlier this season in the 2019 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Round of Last 16.
Overcoming Bruce Arena’s side 2-1 after extra-time on a very humid night in Central Florida, James O’Connor‘s side dug incredibly deep to take the game away from the visitors with two goals in the first-half of extra-time.
With Benji Michel scoring his first ever professional goal and Tesho Akindele adding a second just five minutes later, a 117th minute strike from Justin Rennicks made City sweat but the Lions held their nerve to reach a fourth U.S. Open Cup quarter-final.
Orlando City SC 2 New England Revolution 1 (A.E.T.) – Highlights – June 19, 2019 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
The last time Orlando City SC faced New England Revolution in MLS, the Lions were in a completely different mindset to the one they currently find themselves in.
Travelling to Gillette Stadium in October 2018 with no victory in 11 consecutive league fixtures, James O’Connor‘s side were simply playing for pride in a depressing end to a disastrous campaign.
A side devoid of confidence, Revs ran out easy 2-0 winners with goals from Cristian Penilla and Diego Fagúndez securing a straightforward victory in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
Fast forward to 2019 however and O’Connor has instilled far more grit, determination and hunger into his current roster – qualities that were severely lacking last year.
New England Revolution 2 Orlando City SC 0 – Highlights – October 13, 2018 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
New England Revolution form
A franchise going nowhere fast under Brad Friedel earlier in the campaign, Bruce Arena has steered the New England Revolution ship around – bad news for Orlando City SC.
Indeed, Revolution are unbeaten in their last FIVE home fixtures at Gillette Stadium winning THREE of these gams and drawing the other TWO.
Once viewed as a side the Lions could leave behind in the Eastern Conference, Revs now represent direct competition for a place in the 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs.
Unbeaten in nine MLS games since taking over as Revs head coach on May 14, wily old tactician Arena has got New England Revolution’s defence in order and is certainly getting the best out of players such as Teal Bunbury.
Signing Argentine striker Gustavo Bou from Liga MX side Tijuana on July 10, the 29-year-old wasted no time making an impression, scoring a stunning volley on his Revs debut against Vancouver Whitecaps (4-0) recently.
New England Revolution 4 Vancouver Whitecaps 0 – Highlights – July 17, 2019 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
A player who has enjoyed his fair share of success against Orlando City SC in the past, Bruce Arena’s arrival has done wonders for Teal Bunbury’s form.
A player brimming with confidence right now, the former United States international has scored in FIVE of New England Revolution’s last SEVEN Major League Soccer fixtures.
In this hot streak, Bunbury scored against LA Galaxy (1-2), Houston Dynamo (2-1), Colorado Rapids (1-2), D.C. United (2-2) and Vancouver Whitecaps (4-0) and is very much the man to stop alongside creator-in-chief Carles Gil.
Orlando City SC form
A hugely pleasing footnote to Orlando City SC‘s 2019 season has been the impact of local Orlando natives Benji Michel and Santiago Patiño.
Currently enjoying their first ever MLS campaigns as professionals, both Michel and Patiño have been grasping the chances handed to them by James O’Connor of late.
Especially Santiago Patiño who has scored in Orlando City SC‘s last TWO away fixtures in MLS at Philadelphia Union (2-2) and Portland Timbers (1-1).
With Dom Dwyer missing so much action so far this year, goalscoring contributions from the likes of Michel and Patiño have been extremely welcome.