Unlucky to draw 0-0 at Atlanta United, Oscar Pareja‘s Orlando City SC return to Exploria Stadium for a home game against New York City FC.
Rested after Sunday’s Columbus Crew game was postponed due to two COVID-19 cases in the Crew staff, this is a big opportunity to help solidify a top four place and seeding in the 2020 MLS Cup Playoffs.
Outshooting Atlanta United 15 to 6 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, both Brad Guzan and Brian Rowe had standout evenings in goal.
With Guzan bailing out The Five Stripes’ defence on multiple occasions, Orlando City SC also hit the woodwork twice.
With Robinho hitting the post and Nani‘s deflected strike hitting the bar, the Lions could’ve easily stole all three points on another night.
The biggest chance of the night fell to Júnior Urso in the 86th minute though.
After Nani laid a perfect square ball across the Atlanta United 18-yard box, Urso had the goal at his mercy but hit a weak shot straight at Guzan.
Disappointing not to beat our fierce rivals for a second time this year, the result did stretch Orlando City SC‘s unbeaten run to 10 games however.
And this kind of consistency is exactly what Oscar Pareja‘s side need to reach the 2020 MLS Cup Playoffs.
Considering Nani and Chris Mueller were rested, and only made second-half cameos, load management means they are likely to start against New York City FC.
With Orlando City SC going 4-2-0 at Exploria Stadium this season, the Lions have defended the fortress well.
Now there’s just seven regular season games remaining, this game is a big one as City hunt-down a first post-season appearance.
NYCFC will be looking to respond too after a 1-2 humbling to New England Revolution on Sunday.
Orlando City SC vs New York City FC – 2015/20 head-to-head stats
The last time Orlando City SC faced New York City FC, the Lions defeated The Pigeons 1-3 in Group A at the #MLSisBack Tournament.
In a scintillating start to the game, a Chris Mueller brace put Orlando City SC into a 0-2 lead with just 10 minutes on the clock.
Racing out of the traps to catch NYCFC cold, the Lions’ incredible #MLSisBack story was only just getting warmed up.
While a fine Jesús Medina strike cut the deficit to one on 38 minutes, City hung tough with Tesho Akindele‘s late 81st minute strike making the three points safe.
Sealing two Group A victories from two, this helped achieve qualification to the Round-of-16 and also added six crucial regular season points in the process.
New York City FC 1 Orlando City SC 3 – Highlights – July 14, 2020 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
Facing New York City FC more than any other Major League Soccer opponent, these two sides know each other well.
A highly competitive game series, it’s actually Orlando City SC who hold a narrow one-win advantage over NYCFC.
And it was that aforementioned win in the bubble that pushed Oscar Pareja‘s side ahead in this series that is now FIFTEEN games deep.
While Orlando City SC have slightly enjoyed the better of this game series, it wasn’t so pretty prior to that 1-3 win at the #MLSisBack Tournament.
Indeed, New York City FC went undefeated in SIX MLS head-to-heads prior to that game, winning FOUR and drawing TWO games in this streak.
While times have changed and Oscar Pareja and Ronny Deila are now the men in charge, Orlando City SC will want to improve their record against a side they consider half rivals.
New York City FC 1 Orlando City SC 1 – Highlights – April 27, 2019 (Credit: New York City FC)
Orlando City SC form
At Atlanta United, Brian Rowe replaced Pedro Gallese in goal with the Peruvian away for two World Cup Qualifiers.
A hugely experienced second choice, this enforced change didn’t weaken Orlando City SC however.
Superb all night to keep The Five Stripes out, Rowe’s clean sheet contributed to another fine Lions statistic.
Indeed, now SIXTEEN games into the 2020 MLS regular season, Orlando City SC have still only conceded just FOUR first-half goals.
Atlanta United 0 Orlando City SC 0 – Highlights – October 7, 2020 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
New York City FC form
While it was a rough start for Ronny Deila in MLS, the Norwegian has now got to grips with his New York City FC side.
Losing his first FOUR matches in charge, NYCFC have been much, much better since July.
Not only making their temporary home at Red Bull Arena work, The Pigeons also became a tougher nut to crack on the road.
Undefeated in their last FOUR away league fixtures, NYCFC will head to Exploria Stadium with belief.
Nevertheless, they will need to pick themselves up from a 1-2 home defeat to New England Revolution back at their permanent Yankee Stadium home.
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Don’t forget, Orlando City SC vs New York City FC will be shown LIVE on FreeSports in the early hours of Thursday morning at 00:35 (GMT).
You can view our TV Fixture Tracker by clicking here.
GOOD NEWS 🚨 | @OrlandoCitySC 🆚 @NYCFC is LIVE on @FreeSports_TV in the early hours of Thursday morning. 📺⚽️😁
Overall, this is our FIFTEENTH live televised game this season. 👏🏽👏🏽
VIEW TV TRACKER 📺: https://t.co/KV9JvpAA0o#OCTwitter #OrlandoCity #MLSUK pic.twitter.com/PUagPzhzKe
— Orlando City UK (@Orlando_CityUK) October 12, 2020